Evidence of meeting #39 for Natural Resources in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was system.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Arpan Khanna Conservative Oxford, ON
I'm sorry to cut you off, but I'm running out of time.
I invite you to come Oxford County with your pickup truck. Please show me 1,000 kilometres on your pickup truck. You're invited to Oxford County.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Electric Mobility Canada
I will go to Oxford County.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Shannon Stubbs
That's wonderful. Look at this new friendship.
Now we will go over to this side of the table for a three-minute round.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Shannon Stubbs
Look at me uniting.
Take me up on my goodwill here and get at it for three minutes, guys.
Liberal
John-Paul Danko Liberal Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
We've heard from a number of witnesses at this committee that we are in the transition to a global electric economy. This brings tremendous opportunities for Canada, for our energy sector and for self-sufficiency.
If we look at climate action, specifically the main emitter categories of industry, buildings and transportation, we see that all these sectors are currently actively transitioning to electric systems.
Mr. Powell, we talked about how Canada's grid is already one of the cleanest in the world. There are some regional differences. Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia are still using coal. As a priority for our energy security or our self-sufficiency as a nation, how important is it for Canada to be proactive in the transition to the electric economy, and how do we make sure that we have both the production and the transmission in place to take advantage of the global trend?
Vice-President, Government Relations, Electricity Canada
As a start, electricity is really the only industrial sector that has meaningfully reduced its carbon emissions since 2005. It's about 60% overall, and some of the largest reductions as a percentage are in places like Alberta, where the phase-out of coal has seen dramatic reductions in carbon emissions. We should remember this when we think about these things.
As for the opportunity for our electricity, right now, give or take, we have about 50 megatonnes of emissions, and from the Electricity Advisory Council report a couple of years ago, the opportunity to reduce the rest of the economy's emissions is about 270 megatonnes. That's a pretty good multiplier.
I would suggest that as we think about building out the electricity system, the focus should be on making sure that it's reliable, affordable and available. Broadly, that is going to be in non-emitting categories, as places like Ontario and Saskatchewan add new nuclear plants and as we build out wind and solar elsewhere and balance resources with our hydro. That gives us the opportunity to grow the system and see a shift to electrification, be it in cars or in buildings, and that will mean real and meaningful emissions reductions.
This is a place where emissions intensity, on which the electricity sector is as good as it's going to get, is great and getting better, and it really is the measure that we should think about for our climate ambitions when it comes to fuel-switching and increasing the system.
Liberal
John-Paul Danko Liberal Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON
Really quickly, in 10 seconds, what's the risk to Canada's economy if we're not at the forefront?
Vice-President, Government Relations, Electricity Canada
If we don't get it right, we're not going to grow. Electricity is a proxy for GDP, I think.
Conservative
Liberal
John-Paul Danko Liberal Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas, ON
I will cede those 15 seconds and get some ribs.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Shannon Stubbs
Okay.
Thank you, colleagues.
Thank you to all the witnesses here today for your informative expertise and for sharing your knowledge and perspectives with us.
Colleagues, we'll stick around to deal with an issue before you all depart.
On behalf of committee colleagues, I'd like to thank the witnesses for joining us today. You can go on with your lives, and I'll hold these folks back to deal with a housekeeping issue.
Colleagues, my understanding is that we are required to pass a motion pursuant to the joint informal meeting with the U.K. House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, which will take place on June 9, 2026. In advance of that meeting, the following motion must be adopted:
That the committee meet in camera, in an informal meeting, with the United Kingdom's Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, and that the committee defray the hospitality expenses related to this meeting.
Is it the pleasure of the committee to adopt this motion?
(Motion agreed to)
Thank you, colleagues.
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, June 2, when we'll continue the current study.
Is it the will of the committee to adjourn the meeting?