The Last Mile

Breakfast

Land acknowledgement

Opening Keynote: Built to last

Canadians have experienced record high summers, record low winters and days where there has been more precipitation than was predicted for a whole month. Today’s electricity system has to work in today’s extreme weather. How do we build, legislate and regulate for that?

Panel: Bringing power to the people

Local utilities are “the electricity company” to millions of Ontarians as they take generated and transmitted electricity and deliver it to local homes and businesses. With the increased focus on building electricity infrastructure, what specific needs do utilities have? And what are the opportunities facing them.

BREAK

Panel: These new homes are all going to need electricity

The priority is new homes, and lots of them. But to do that we need to seriously expand how electricity is delivered to these new homes. Where do we start? How do we get governments to align building for increased load as well as new housing?

Case study: innovative community

LUNCH

Keynote/armchair TBD

Panel: Innovate, innovate, innovate

In the next 25 years, the amount of electricity needed by Canadians will more than double. We need to build for that, but we also need to innovate more than ever to fully optimize the potential of our expanding grid.

Panel: It's harder than it looks

Electricity has powered Canadian homes, businesses, and communities for generations. But financing the expansion and modernization of the distribution system is far more complex than it appears. As demand for electricity grows and utilities invest in new infrastructure, how do we attract the capital needed while keeping electricity affordable for customers?

Panel: That's why they're called KEY accounts

Every electricity company has large customers who need to be considered when planning and executing electricity distribution. These customers drive the economy by making Canadian goods and employing Canadian workers. How do local distribution companies work with key accounts to accelerate the growth of Canada’s electricity system… for their benefit, as well as the benefit of everyone else.

BREAK

Armchair: Distribution as critical infrastructure

Look on any street and people almost never notice the hydro poles, guy wires and substations they pass by. Yet distribution is the backbone of every community, providing the critical infrastructure that powers homes, businesses and essential services across Canada. How do we get the importance of distribution to be seen by everyone… preferably before the lights go out.

Panel: The value of a strong distribution system

As Canada electrifies its economy, grows its communities and strengthens its energy resilience, the importance of a robust distribution system has never been greater. What is the work ahead to ensure that Canadians continue have access to the safe, dependable electricity they rely on every day.

Reception at Queen St. Fare

Dinner at the Rideau Club