Ontario Chamber of Commerce Welcomes Electrification and Energy Transition Panel Report

(TORONTO– January 23, 2024) – Today, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s (OCC) President and CEO, Daniel Tisch, released the following statement in reaction to the Electrification and Energy Transition Panel’s recent report, Ontario’s Clean Energy Opportunity:

“The Ontario Chamber of Commerce echoes the Electrification and Energy Transition Panel’s message that the clean energy economy is a key strategic opportunity for the province.

“The report’s emphasis on predictability, transparency, cost-effectiveness, coordination, and Indigenous partnerships reflects recommendations made by the OCC through our Energy Policy Council. We support the call for long-term integrated energy plans, straightforward processes for planning and approvals, and clear roles for participating entities.

“As Ontario confronts widening energy and capacity shortfalls in the years ahead, the province needs to build and procure energy infrastructure at scale. Effective coordination across sectors and levels of government, and transparent accounting of costs and benefits to protect customer affordability, will be essential for an orderly transition.

“To enhance Indigenous participation in the energy sector, the OCC looks forward to continuing its work with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business this year through our Economic Reconciliation Initiative to support capacity building for meaningful Indigenous partnerships across sectors.

“We look forward to collaborating with the Government of Ontario on its ongoing work to support a sustainable and prosperous clean energy future.”

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is the indispensable partner of business and Canada’s largest, most influential provincial chamber. It is an independent, not-for-profit advocacy and member services organization representing a diverse network of 60,000 members. The OCC’s mission is to convene, align and advance the interests of its members through principled policy work, value-added business services and broad engagement to drive competitiveness and economic growth in the province.

For more information, please contact:
Andrea Carmona
Manager, Public Affairs,
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
andreacarmona@occ.ca | Mobile: (647) 234-0255

Backgrounder:

• The report’s message that the clean energy economy is a key strategic opportunity for the provinc is reflected in the OCC’s Climate Catalyst report and recent submissions, which have focused on building on Ontario’s existing competitive advantages to capitalize on the opportunities in the green economy.
• The OCC’s Economic Reconciliation Initiative, in partnership with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, will launch a series of engagements over Spring/Summer 2024, which will help illuminate opportunities and best practices around Indigenous partnerships.