Ottawa (September 23) Bill C-39 marks an important step toward building Canada’s electricity system faster, according to industry association Electricity Canada.
By streamlining federal approvals, improving regulatory certainty, reducing duplication, and creating a clearer pathway for critical transmission, nuclear, and hydroelectric projects, the legislation helps create the conditions needed to build the infrastructure that Canadians and the economy increasingly depend upon.
Bill C-39 includes important developments for Canada’s electricity sector, including:
- A streamlined approval process for transmission projects, including a single-review model through the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) and reduced duplication between federal agencies.
- More predictable timelines for major transmission infrastructure, providing greater certainty for utilities, investors, Indigenous partners, and governments.
- A single-window approach for nuclear project reviews, creating greater clarity and efficiency for large nuclear and Small Modular Reactor projects.
- Consolidated federal permitting for major hydroelectric and generation projects, reducing administrative burden and improving coordination across departments.
- A stronger pathway for interprovincial transmission and interties, which are essential to improving regional integration, reliability, affordability, and energy security.
While implementation details and future regulations will be important, Electricity Canada looks forward to working with the federal government to ensure these reforms deliver meaningful improvements for electricity projects across the country. This includes interprovincial transmission, which according to a new report released today from Electricity Canada and the Open Insights initiative, led by researchers at the University of Victoria could reduce the expected frequency of grid-level outages during extreme weather events.
The findings from the Electricity Canada / Open Insights report highlight the importance of expanding interprovincial transmission and strengthening regional grid integration as Canada builds a more reliable, resilient, and affordable electricity system.
QUOTE:
"Our country is facing unprecedented demand growth driven by population growth, industrial expansion, electrification, data centres, and the need to strengthen energy security. Bill C-39 will help create the conditions needed to deliver these investments by improving regulatory certainty, streamlining approvals, and reducing duplication in federal decision-making. But we can’t stop there. Electricity Canada’s recent research with Open Insights about interties shows that interprovincial transmission is vital for the reliability of Canada’s electricity system. It’s imperative that we act on what has been learned."
- Josée Guibord, President and CEO
About Electricity Canada:
Electricity Canada is the national voice for electricity in Canada. Our members generate, transmit, and distribute power to homes and businesses across Canada. We represent integrated electric utilities, independent power producers, transmission and distribution companies, power marketers, and system operators. Our members deliver electricity to all Canadians, in every province and territory.
For additional Information or to arrange an interview:
Graeme Burk
Director of Communications
613-809-0720
burk@electricity.ca