Speaker 1: Thank you for listening to Pictures Media Radio.
Speaker 2: Welcome to Policy and Rights show. Gosh, Welcome to Policy
Speaker 2: that Human Joys.
Speaker 1: Welcome back to Policy and Rights Here in Depictions Media Radio,
Speaker 1: I'm your host Michael Cloggs. As we saw last week
Speaker 1: that Eric Canada was canceling flights because of an impending
Speaker 1: lockout to lock out the flight attendants from being able
Speaker 1: to work because of a impasse that the union and the.
Speaker 2: Corporation that is Eric Canada.
Speaker 1: Had in a labor agreement. We have also recently found
Speaker 1: out that one of the things that the flight attendants
Speaker 1: union won it was more compensation for work done while
Speaker 1: the flight attendants were not in flight. Strangely that Eric
Speaker 1: Canada only pays his flight attendants while they're they are
Speaker 1: locked in the aircraft on its way to taking off.
Speaker 1: And when when it when they come back down to
Speaker 1: the ground again and and docks, shall we say, into
Speaker 1: the airport and the air lock has now reopened, they
Speaker 1: stop being paid. Kind of an interesting way of doing things,
Speaker 1: because there's lots to do before and after that flight
Speaker 1: takes off in lands, a lot to do before take off,
Speaker 1: a lot to do after landing. Okay, so we've we've
Speaker 1: found that found that out there that they only pay
Speaker 1: for while the plane is in the sky. Basically, well,
Speaker 1: what about the rest of what what it is that
Speaker 1: the flight attendants do while they're on the ground. Should
Speaker 1: they not be paid for that? And they're paid on
Speaker 1: an hourly wage. It's not like it's a salary position.
Speaker 1: It is an hourly wage. So I don't know about
Speaker 1: most of you. When I was an employee, there was
Speaker 1: very little that I was willing to just simply give
Speaker 1: away as an employee to my employer. Right for the
Speaker 1: part of the agreement is I work for you, you pay
Speaker 1: me a decent wage. It's the agreement. It is very
Speaker 1: much so a binding business agreement. So why is it
Speaker 1: that airic Canada doesn't pay the flight attendance for doing
Speaker 1: work while they're on the ground. Good question. Never going
Speaker 1: to find an answer to that question, but it is
Speaker 1: why the unions were at it and the corporation were
Speaker 1: at had passed because the union says that they should
Speaker 1: get at least some compensation for it, and the closest
Speaker 1: that Air Canada was going to get to actually giving
Speaker 1: them compensation was fifty that they would pay them fifty
Speaker 1: percent of their wage if while they were on the ground.
Speaker 1: So you get fifty percent of your wage while you're
Speaker 1: on the ground, and then you get full compensation while
Speaker 1: you're in the air for the hours that you're there. Again,
Speaker 1: I have a lot of us as employees would agree.
Speaker 2: To something like that, right, So okay.
Speaker 1: So that is the labor union's stance that they they
Speaker 1: want compensation, full compensation for all hours worked, and that
Speaker 1: is actually fair enough. So they were locked out by
Speaker 1: airic Canada. The lockout was lifted by Patty Hayju and
Speaker 1: Mark Carney ordering the both sides to a binding arbitration,
Speaker 1: and the answer to that from the flight attendant was
Speaker 1: to walk off the job. So flight attendants for Air
Speaker 1: Canada are now on strike, leaving again a situation of
Speaker 1: passengers being stranded and Eric Canada happened to scramble to
Speaker 1: find a way to get these people home or get
Speaker 1: to their final destinations, because that is Air Canada's responsibility
Speaker 1: that they have to live up to. It isn't left
Speaker 1: for the government to try to figure out. It is
Speaker 1: left for Air Canada to figure out alternative ways, which
Speaker 1: are plenty of alternative ways to get people back and forth.
Speaker 1: There are other planes, there are other airlines and trust me,
Speaker 1: Air Canada has enough money to provide the flights for
Speaker 1: people to get back and forth and get back to
Speaker 1: their final destinations. By offering them seats on other flights,
Speaker 1: they can't do it. So it isn't going to hurt
Speaker 1: Air Canada that much. It can be done, and that's
Speaker 1: part of what the whole thing is with the government.
Speaker 1: So we're gonna hear in the next part. We're gonna
Speaker 1: hear from Paddi Haju and questions are going to be
Speaker 1: asked from Mark Karney and oddly enough also from Doug
Speaker 1: Ford about how this is going to actually play out.
Speaker 1: So moving forward, let's let's talk about other.
Speaker 3: Things and.
Speaker 2: Building a better.
Speaker 1: Economy for Canada.
Speaker 2: Uh.
Speaker 1: Doug Ford and Mark Karney have had a meeting where
Speaker 1: they discussed many different things and ways to bring the
Speaker 1: premiers closer together so that trade agreements can can be
Speaker 1: made from one province to the next province with I
Speaker 1: have no worry about well compensation for each province for
Speaker 1: for what is for what is crossing and ensuring that
Speaker 1: trade agreements between and commerce between the provinces is strong
Speaker 1: so that well, we don't have to worry about the
Speaker 1: wildcard that is sitting in the White House. Bottom line
Speaker 1: is is And Doug Ford is going to say this
Speaker 1: more eloquently than I am, that the clown that sits
Speaker 1: in the White House is a wildcard and we don't
Speaker 1: know what he's going to do next. He may not
Speaker 1: even know himself what he is going to do next.
Speaker 1: So rather than trying to depend be dependent on a variable,
Speaker 1: that Canada should find other trade partners.
Speaker 4: To.
Speaker 1: Explore other ways of getting products to other countries, and
Speaker 1: find other ways of trading amongst ourselves so that we
Speaker 1: have a strong economy. It's pretty simple that way, simple words.
Speaker 1: Actions and processes.
Speaker 2: Are a little more difficult.
Speaker 1: But if we follow the process and stay to the path,
Speaker 1: the economy will come around. At least that's kind of
Speaker 1: the idea. So we're gonna hear Doug Ford and Mark
Speaker 1: Karney talk about that and talk about towers and how
Speaker 1: to evade the towers going forward by trading with other
Speaker 1: with other partners around the world, other countries. Okay, some
Speaker 1: also what needs to actually have happened, And I'm gonna
Speaker 1: say this quite bluntly that Canada has a bad habit
Speaker 1: of taking the resource off the land and then transferring
Speaker 1: it to another country for processing and then bringing it
Speaker 1: back rather than processing processes, seeing the raw material in
Speaker 1: Canada so that they can sell a pre finished product
Speaker 1: or partly finished product to the rest of the world
Speaker 1: and causing more jobs back here at home in Canada.
Speaker 1: And that is something that no one is not really
Speaker 1: talking about. They're still sticking to this. Oh well, we'll
Speaker 1: pipe the raw beach them in from the tar Sans
Speaker 1: to someplace else and then have a process and sent
Speaker 1: back to us as a finished product so that we
Speaker 1: the consumers can buy it. The software lumber the same thing.
Speaker 1: You can sit at a certain hotel and casino and
Speaker 1: you can watch the logs go down the river with
Speaker 1: the tugboats straight for a Washington processing center, and then
Speaker 1: when you go to home depot, you buy your own
Speaker 1: lumber back again at a premium that needs to be fixed.
Speaker 1: And that's just something that needs to be talked about.
Speaker 2: So we have that.
Speaker 1: We're also going to hear from Tim Hodgson's as he's
Speaker 1: talking about clean energy and I believe it in Ontario,
Speaker 1: So we're going to hear about that, what does clean
Speaker 1: energy actually mean and what do these partnerships with team
Speaker 1: corporations look like, so that we have a clean operating
Speaker 1: grid that doesn't hurt the environment.
Speaker 2: So I don't move on and let's get to it,
Speaker 2: and we're going to hear about Air Canada.
Speaker 3: Let's just to make sure that we have the most
Speaker 3: competitive market in the in the G seven by making
Speaker 3: sure that we reduce taxes, get rid of unnecessary regulatory
Speaker 3: burdens off the box of companies, and compete. You know,
Speaker 3: I we said, you know that we can never predict
Speaker 3: what Donald Trump is going to do, but we can
Speaker 3: predict we can create the environment and conditions for companies
Speaker 3: to come here and invest in direct foreign investment. The
Speaker 3: numbers came out a little while ago, mind you, it
Speaker 3: was twenty twenty four. We had four hundred and nine companies,
Speaker 3: thirty nine point eight seventy five billion, and twenty five
Speaker 3: thousand jobs created in Ontario. But keep in mind that's
Speaker 3: before Donald Trump. So we have to beat him at
Speaker 3: his own game and make sure that we're more competitive
Speaker 3: and on shore as many products as possible.
Speaker 5: So did you guys agree to any concrete action on
Speaker 5: that front today?
Speaker 3: We had a great discussion. Nothing happens immediately in that room.
Speaker 3: But we're all we're on the same page. We have
Speaker 3: a great partnership and we're going to work jointly together
Speaker 3: to make sure that we're competitive and we create jobs.
Speaker 6: Is it.
Speaker 5: Do you think we're going to get a deal right now?
Speaker 5: Percentage wise? What would you put on the chances of
Speaker 5: Canada and the US getting.
Speaker 7: At trip field?
Speaker 3: Well, the main one is the USMCA Kuzma field. That's
Speaker 3: really the main one. But in the meantime, we have
Speaker 3: to hold firm and we have to create the environment,
Speaker 3: for instance, the steel sector, you know, the steel sector.
Speaker 3: We have to look at the large infrastructure projects, shipbuilding.
Speaker 3: We're all gom up and up in Ontario they do
Speaker 3: the flatbed steel and make sure that large scale infrastructure
Speaker 3: projects like a pipeline, steel pipes come from Ontario.
Speaker 8: Premier did was your sons from the Prime Minister? Now
Speaker 8: that Canada just has to accept that we're going to
Speaker 8: have tariffs from the United States until we renegotiate USMCA, Like,
Speaker 8: is there any movement on getting those removed?
Speaker 3: Well, I won't speak for the Prime minister. What I
Speaker 3: what I can tell you we're united on the message
Speaker 3: of let's start worrying about how we can be competitive here.
Speaker 3: Donald Trump is so unpredictable. I don't even know what
Speaker 3: he if he knows what he's doing tomorrow morning. So
Speaker 3: let's start focusing on creating that environment.
Speaker 8: Is there an acceptance I guess from leaders that just
Speaker 8: ble does have the tariffs.
Speaker 3: Again, he's the prime minister, will speak on that. But
Speaker 3: the President is predictably, he'll come out with some cocamani
Speaker 3: thing tomorrow that we don't even know about.
Speaker 5: He's thinking at mark, Party's thinking two elbows down in
Speaker 5: responsible to not at all.
Speaker 3: He's doing an incredible job. He's working collaboratively with twelve
Speaker 3: other premiers and myself and working as Team Canada. And
Speaker 3: he's uh, he's doing a very very good job in
Speaker 3: my opinion, put in his position dealing with Donald Trump.
Speaker 3: Let's stop worrying about Donald Trump. We'll start focusing on Ontario,
Speaker 3: in Canada and all the other provinces and territories.
Speaker 9: Premier today is Pierre Polyev's by election.
Speaker 7: If he gets elected, I'm wondering, what's what's your advice
Speaker 7: to him going into the false setting of the parliament.
Speaker 3: Work with the prime ministers, Team Team Canada. You know,
Speaker 3: let's put our political stretches aside and start working together
Speaker 3: collectively on large infrastructure projects on other areas that he
Speaker 3: can cooperate with.
Speaker 5: The government plans to meet with Paulia to push that message,
Speaker 5: to make sure that he is working with the Prime minister.
Speaker 3: All I want to do is move forward collectively as
Speaker 3: a government. I don't care about political stripes. The person
Speaker 3: I'm working with right now is the Prime Minister of
Speaker 3: the day, and as far as I'm concerned, he's doing
Speaker 3: a really, really good job considering the position he's been
Speaker 3: put in. I challenge anyone try to deal with Donald Trump,
Speaker 3: myself included. He's a different type of cat. But where
Speaker 3: United we know what we need to do, and we
Speaker 3: know that we need to cut the regulatory burdens off
Speaker 3: of companies, lower taxes, put money back into people's pockets,
Speaker 3: support companies that need investment to grow and expand here
Speaker 3: and onshore the procurement side.
Speaker 6: It's absolutely co workers. Anything for your Canada workers.
Speaker 3: What's your message, Well, everyone deserves a fair wage for
Speaker 3: a day's work. They order them back to work, and
Speaker 3: I think it has to being the best interest of
Speaker 3: the workers, the company and most importantly the people of Canada.
Speaker 3: So I'm glad they'll they'll be sitting down and talking.
Speaker 3: But let's keep the airlines moving.
Speaker 8: Isn't it a complete disaster though, I mean, we bought
Speaker 8: the unions refusing their workers say they won't go back
Speaker 8: to work. We bought thousands of people stranded. They don't
Speaker 8: know how they're getting home, Like this is not.
Speaker 6: Worked out right.
Speaker 3: Up for the federal government to sit and make sure
Speaker 3: they sit down table. That always happens when we have
Speaker 3: labor issues. But they they'll work it out, and it's
Speaker 3: happened before, and they'll they'll get things moving.
Speaker 9: I we get an update on how trade talks are going.
Speaker 5: How are they going?
Speaker 6: Good morning?
Speaker 2: Look?
Speaker 10: Uh, well, actually I'm just going to meet with Minister LeBlanc.
Speaker 10: We'll have a discussion of that and an important discussion
Speaker 10: with Premier Ford this morning on a variety of aspects
Speaker 10: for the Ontario economy, the Canadian economy, which of course
Speaker 10: includes trade, but goes much more to the issues that
Speaker 10: we can control and how we build out from.
Speaker 9: Within, Like what would some examples be, Well.
Speaker 10: We'll talk about the housing sector, We'll talk about steel, auto,
Speaker 10: new new sectors of the economy, including artificial intelligence, what
Speaker 10: we're doing in terms of making Canada competitive.
Speaker 9: What's your advice to President Zelenski regarding should he accept
Speaker 9: any any feeling.
Speaker 10: I gave that advice yesterday and meeting with President Zelenski
Speaker 10: and the coalition and what was it?
Speaker 9: What was it?
Speaker 11: Anything to say to Canada union workers.
Speaker 6: Just say, I'll say the following.
Speaker 10: We recognize very much the critical role that flight attendants
Speaker 10: play in keeping Canadians and their families safe as they travel,
Speaker 10: uh comfortable as they travel, and it's important that they're
Speaker 10: compensated equitably at all times, fairly at all times. That's
Speaker 10: the reason why there's been negotiations over the course of
Speaker 10: the last eight months. It is disappointing that those negotiations
Speaker 10: did not come to an agreement, and it was the
Speaker 10: judgment of both the union and the company that they
Speaker 10: were at an impasse. That's not my judgment, it's their judgment.
Speaker 10: And so we were in a situation. We are in
Speaker 10: a situation where literally hundreds of thousands of Canadians and
Speaker 10: visitors to our country are being disrupted by this action.
Speaker 10: I urge both parties to resolve this as quickly as
Speaker 10: possible and the minister will have more to say.
Speaker 6: Administer Hidi will have more to say.
Speaker 7: It it's a pleasure to be with you here today
Speaker 7: on the traditional territory of the Algonquin and the Shanabic people.
Speaker 7: Months of negotiations and weeks of intensive mediation, Air Canada
Speaker 7: and the Canadian Union of Public Employees flight Attendants were
Speaker 7: unable to reach a tentative agreement. The government firmly believes
Speaker 7: that the best deals are reached by the parties at
Speaker 7: the bargaining table, and we will never stop believing that
Speaker 7: La gum calameo collective to conclude pati negotiation nunissa. It's
Speaker 7: not easy, but when parties put in the hard work
Speaker 7: at the table, Canadians are better off as a result.
Speaker 7: Cinpa facion carla pattis met de la Canadian quillon quillo. However,
Speaker 7: in this instance, and despite resolution on a number of
Speaker 7: key items, this dispute will not be resolved quickly enough,
Speaker 7: and the impact of the work stoppage at Air Canada
Speaker 7: that began early this morning is already being felt by travelers.
Speaker 7: This is causing significant harm and has negative impacts on
Speaker 7: Canadians and the Canadian economy. It impedes the movement of
Speaker 7: passengers and critical cargo such as pharmaceuticals and its trans
Speaker 7: thousands of Canadians abroad, making it extremely costly and sometimes
Speaker 7: impossible to book new flights. Canadians have already sacrificed a
Speaker 7: lot in this uncertain economy, and this labor disruption is
Speaker 7: adding to their worries and financial burdens. As Minister of Labor,
Speaker 7: I have exercised my authorities under section one oh seven
Speaker 7: of the Canadian Labor Code to direct the Canada Industrial
Speaker 7: Relations Board to order the parties to resume and continue
Speaker 7: their operations and duties in order to secure industrial peace
Speaker 7: and protect the interests of Canadians and the economy. I've
Speaker 7: also asked the Board to assist the parties in reaching
Speaker 7: a settlement of the outstanding terms of their collective agreement
Speaker 7: by imposing final and binding arbitration and to extend the
Speaker 7: terms terms of the existing collective agreement until a new
Speaker 7: one is determined by the arbitrator. Flight attendants play a
Speaker 7: critical role in getting Canadians to where they need to
Speaker 7: go safely, and they deserve to be compensated and treated
Speaker 7: fairly at all times. My job as Minister of labor
Speaker 7: isn't to take sides during labor disputes. It's to give
Speaker 7: the parties the tools that they need to reach a
Speaker 7: fair and timely agreement while keeping the best interests of
Speaker 7: Canadians at heart. And that's why I intervened today. Canada's
Speaker 7: economy has seen unprecedented attacks on trade and significant terror factions.
Speaker 7: Amid these challenges, Canadians have been stepping up for months
Speaker 7: to support their friends and their neighbors and their local communities.
Speaker 7: In a year where Canadian businesses and families have faced
Speaker 7: too much disruption and uncertainty, they shouldn't have to shoulder
Speaker 7: another blow. We will not leave them behind. This is
Speaker 7: not a decision that I have taken lightly, but the
Speaker 7: potential for immediate negative of impact on Canadians and our
Speaker 7: economy is simply too great. Labor disruption impedes the movement
Speaker 7: of passengers and critical cargo. Canadians rely on air travel
Speaker 7: every day and its importance cannot be understated. Many Canadians
Speaker 7: need to travel to care for loved ones abroad or
Speaker 7: deal with critical life events such as funerals or adoptions.
Speaker 7: The shipments of critical goods such as pharmaceuticals and organ
Speaker 7: tissue should continue to reach their destinations. And we believe
Speaker 7: that hard working Canadians who have been saving up for
Speaker 7: family vacations should be able to enjoy their well deserved
Speaker 7: and plan time off. Now is not the time to
Speaker 7: take risks with our economy. A work stoppage would cause
Speaker 7: thousands of Canadians to be stranded abroad and across this country,
Speaker 7: and this is simply unacceptable. Last year, Canadians paid a
Speaker 7: high price when multiple key sectors went on strike. In
Speaker 7: Action at the bargaining table had a mass of impact
Speaker 7: on Canadian families and our entire economy. These parties have
Speaker 7: had months at the negotiation table, they've had support through
Speaker 7: the Federal Mediation Service, and they have been unable to
Speaker 7: cross the finish line. Arbitration is the most stable way
Speaker 7: to conclude this process for Canadians while allowing parties to.
Speaker 2: Reach a deal.
Speaker 7: If we are going to build the strongest economy in
Speaker 7: the G seven, Canadians need to have confidence in the
Speaker 7: industries that serve them.
Speaker 12: Thank you, okay, Well, go to questions now, one question.
Speaker 12: One follow up will start in the room. Jeremy Shad on.
Speaker 6: CTV, Good morning, Minister, or good afternoon. The government has
Speaker 6: now stepped in.
Speaker 13: And countless labor disputes. There are experts who point to
Speaker 13: this having an impact on an advantaging really employers in
Speaker 13: a negotiation. Is there a concern about undermining the labor
Speaker 13: system and are you confident that workers' rights are still
Speaker 13: being respected.
Speaker 7: I think that it's very important to reiterate my first statement,
Speaker 7: which is that the best deals are arrived at at
Speaker 7: the table, not just because this is good for workers,
Speaker 7: but because it's good for stability and peace within the organization.
Speaker 7: Strikes are very disruptive to the culture of the organization.
Speaker 7: They're very expensive for the members who are often experiencing
Speaker 7: significant loss of pay, and they're very challenging for the
Speaker 7: corporations who are losing revenue and reputation every single day.
Speaker 7: Having said that, in this particular instance, we do believe
Speaker 7: that it's very important that we establish industrial peace and
Speaker 7: that we focus on the growing cost to Canadians and
Speaker 7: Canadian families and Canadian small businesses. So this is a
Speaker 7: tool that allows for arbitration. There are many items that
Speaker 7: have been resolved between the two parties, and this will
Speaker 7: give them an opportunity to resolve the remaining items.
Speaker 14: Thank you.
Speaker 13: My follow up is on impacted passengers. Should Air Canada
Speaker 13: be liable to fully reimburse passengers who've had canceled flights
Speaker 13: or paying their full way for a replacement flight.
Speaker 7: You know, listen, I don't want to speculate on the
Speaker 7: impact to Air Canada and what their corporate practices are.
Speaker 7: I know they're deeply concerned about the passengers that are
Speaker 7: stranded around the globe and here in Canada, and last
Speaker 7: night and speaking with the parties. In fact, that was
Speaker 7: one of the first items that the employer raised, was
Speaker 7: the work they're putting into trying to ensure that whoever
Speaker 7: is calling into their call centers has someoney on the
Speaker 7: other end. It is important though, that we keep the safety,
Speaker 7: security and financial security of Canadians first and foremost, and
Speaker 7: it would be my expectation that we all work together
Speaker 7: to get people home.
Speaker 12: Next question will be Kyle Dugan, Canadian Press.
Speaker 15: I'm minister, thank you for taking our questions. Can you
Speaker 15: tell us what changed between yesterday and today that you
Speaker 15: weren't willing to step in yesterday but today you've come
Speaker 15: to the conclusion that clearly something needs to be done.
Speaker 15: So could you just give us a little bit of
Speaker 15: insight into your thought process and how you weigh the
Speaker 15: policy options ahead before you.
Speaker 7: I think what changed between yesterday and today was that
Speaker 7: I asked the parties to meet with me collectively together.
Speaker 7: In the same meeting, I met with Air Canada and
Speaker 7: with the union represents representatives as well as the national
Speaker 7: President of QP. We talked through what was remaining in
Speaker 7: terms of the perspectives of the parties. The parties committed
Speaker 7: to staying at the table throughout the night, which they did.
Speaker 7: There was an offer tabled by the employer and the
Speaker 7: talks broke down, and so it is clear that the
Speaker 7: parties are no laws longer, are not any closer to
Speaker 7: resolving some of the key issues that remain, and they
Speaker 7: will need help with an arbitrator.
Speaker 15: Thank you, Lindas a follow up, I'm wondering how long
Speaker 15: will it take before things kind of start to return
Speaker 15: back to normal and some of these flights come back online.
Speaker 15: You have a sense of that, how long the liber
Speaker 15: work process.
Speaker 7: The CIArb is an independent body and they will review
Speaker 7: and receive statements from the impacted parties and then they
Speaker 7: will make their determination about whether they will intervene and
Speaker 7: so that will take an according amount of time. Don't
Speaker 7: want to speculate because it is a process, but in
Speaker 7: general sometimes it can take twenty four to forty eight
Speaker 7: hours for the board to complete that work. Again, that's
Speaker 7: a question for the board. However, Air Canadas said it
Speaker 7: could take between five to ten days for regular services
Speaker 7: to resume, and again I think that's a question for
Speaker 7: Air Canada in terms of their complex operations that one
Speaker 7: needs to happen for full resumption of services.
Speaker 12: Marinea von Stackelberg CBC.
Speaker 4: I'm minister. Unions are taking your government to court over
Speaker 4: your really unprecedented use of Section one of seven of
Speaker 4: the Labor Code, which gives you the unilateral power to
Speaker 4: essentially as you're doing today, order striking workers back to work.
Speaker 4: The unions say this is unconstitutional, that it violates the
Speaker 4: right to strike. Why does your government continue to use
Speaker 4: this section one of seven.
Speaker 7: Well, actually, just recently, I think the CIRB affirmed that
Speaker 7: in one of the recent disputes the use of one
Speaker 7: of seven was constitutional. And of course I know there
Speaker 7: are a number of pieces of litigation, but listen, in
Speaker 7: today's decision, this is about industrial peace and the safety
Speaker 7: of Canadians. Of course, any deal is best if it's
Speaker 7: arrived at between the parties. But you know, as we
Speaker 7: can see, and as we are as I believe that
Speaker 7: some of you are reporting on, there are a number
Speaker 7: of extremely difficult situations and increasingly dire situations that Canadians
Speaker 7: are facing, and we believe that the Industrial Relations Board
Speaker 7: will help these two parties conclude their negotiations on some
Speaker 7: key items.
Speaker 4: Experts that I've spoken to about the use of one
Speaker 4: oh seven say that the government's repeated use of this
Speaker 4: is poisoning negotiations because companies believe that they can kind
Speaker 4: of bargain to an impasse and then the government will
Speaker 4: step in and prevent a strike from happening. Why did
Speaker 4: you choose to use one oh seven so quickly here?
Speaker 4: I think this is the fastest use of it I've seen.
Speaker 4: Is your government anti union?
Speaker 7: I absolutely reject the notion that our government is anti union.
Speaker 7: In fact, under the previous Liberal government, we considerably strengthen
Speaker 7: the Canada Labor Code, We banned the use of replacement workers,
Speaker 7: and we stood side by side with unions in terms
Speaker 7: of supporting their work not only in labor negotiations but
Speaker 7: also in training and recruiting new members, and so this
Speaker 7: work will continue. We believe that unions are an essential
Speaker 7: part of a healthy and growing economy. However, in a
Speaker 7: case like this, where multiple efforts have been made to
Speaker 7: conclude an agreement that satisfies both parties and it is
Speaker 7: clear that they are an impasse, it is very clear
Speaker 7: they need some help in arbitrating the final items.
Speaker 12: We're not going to take questions from zoom. If you
Speaker 12: have a question on zoom, please raise your hands.
Speaker 6: We play.
Speaker 12: For signing question here. Our first question is from a
Speaker 12: Tumata Trattori from Regio, Canada.
Speaker 7: No like okay, So could you like just in French
Speaker 7: because I'm from Radu, Canada, So how do you explain
Speaker 7: like the use of one O seven?
Speaker 2: So could you explain it? But in French.
Speaker 7: We le du pat I say pulled des mois drive
Speaker 7: uh entent key marsh part massasse impossible, a new devon
Speaker 7: a d L du parte avec util.
Speaker 6: Miss okay.
Speaker 12: Next we'll go to ian Woods. Ian Wood, please go ahead.
Speaker 11: Okay.
Speaker 16: I'm just wondering what provisions are being taken for Median
Speaker 16: passengers that are overseas and also for non Canadian nationals
Speaker 16: that may be traveling with their Canada that have now
Speaker 16: been left in place in various foreign countries.
Speaker 7: Uh. Unfortunately, I don't think I can answer that question.
Speaker 7: But that is a question for Air Canada. I know
Speaker 7: Air Canada is working in a variety of different ways
Speaker 7: to support stranded travelers, but that is a question the
Speaker 7: employer can answer best.
Speaker 16: Okay, So as far as you work cert global afairst
Speaker 16: Canada is and they've can reach out to by people,
Speaker 16: do have an imp information on any anything that the
Speaker 16: foreign service might be doing.
Speaker 7: Well, this is a labor dispute. I mean, I think
Speaker 7: you're probably recalling a time I think that we all
Speaker 7: recall during the pandemic where all airline travel had shut
Speaker 7: down and there were no options for passengers. That's not
Speaker 7: the case. There are other options. They're very challenging options,
Speaker 7: of course, and sometimes there's going to be significant delays.
Speaker 7: But Air Canada, as I said, is working diligently to
Speaker 7: try to support its passengers that are currently stranded. There
Speaker 7: is a very clear guidance from Air Canada to passengers
Speaker 7: that are outbound to make sure that they check before
Speaker 7: they arrive at the airport to determine the status of
Speaker 7: their flight. I would say that would be a probe,
Speaker 7: but we will get back to you about whether or
Speaker 7: not Global Affairs is hearing from Canadians that are reaching out.
Speaker 2: Thank you very much.
Speaker 12: We don't have any further questions on Zoom. Is there
Speaker 12: any further questions in the room, Kyle Dugan, Just.
Speaker 15: In follow up to what you had said about speaking
Speaker 15: with the two parties, how do you know that they
Speaker 15: wouldn't have been able to reach a deal had you
Speaker 15: allowed this to continue.
Speaker 7: The testimony from both party parties gave me confidence that
Speaker 7: they are so far apart on a number of issues
Speaker 7: that they are going to need some additional help to
Speaker 7: reach an agreement in those areas.
Speaker 15: Could you just give an example or speak to something
Speaker 15: about the tone or if there's one particular issue that
Speaker 15: you could you could highlight. I'm just looking for some
Speaker 15: kind of concrete point.
Speaker 7: I suppose, yeah, I guess you know. I'm not going
Speaker 7: to negotiate in public on behalf of the parties. It's
Speaker 7: very important that those conversations happened between the parties. The
Speaker 7: CIRB is exactly the right place to.
Speaker 2: Help them finish.
Speaker 7: There are a number of items that have been concluded
Speaker 7: or that have been satisfied. In fact, in a public
Speaker 7: letter that the union distributed a number of days ago,
Speaker 7: they indicated as much. But there are some significant differences
Speaker 7: and they have been As I said, the parties worked
Speaker 7: throughout last night. There was another offer tabled by the employer.
Speaker 7: It was clear it was unacceptable at that point. The
Speaker 7: parties are very far apart and so this additional help
Speaker 7: of an arbitrator will help them close that gap.
Speaker 2: Thank you.
Speaker 12: Are there any further questions in the room, Marina von
Speaker 12: Steckelberg CBC.
Speaker 4: I know that there was a discussion about binding arbitration
Speaker 4: before beforehand, and then you spoke with both a union
Speaker 4: and Air Canada. I guess I'm curious what changed ed
Speaker 4: to have you want to act in this way. When
Speaker 4: you had gone to the union and said are you
Speaker 4: interested in this and the union came back and said no,
Speaker 4: we firmly want to go on strike.
Speaker 7: I think what changed was the disappointing outcome of last
Speaker 7: night's talks. I mean, I met with the union and
Speaker 7: the employer last evening. I asked them to continue to
Speaker 7: meet throughout the night. The mediators were there assisting the parties,
Speaker 7: and this morning.
Speaker 2: The information that I.
Speaker 7: Received from the mediators is that the parties were still
Speaker 7: very far apart on a number of key issues, and
Speaker 7: it was clear that there was an impass. An impass
Speaker 7: means that there obviously is a need for additional assistance,
Speaker 7: and I believe the CIRB is the best place to
Speaker 7: help them.
Speaker 4: And just for clarity, obviously, you can continue to negotiate
Speaker 4: while you're on strike or while you're locked.
Speaker 7: Out, Absolutely right, and I think that's a great reminder,
Speaker 7: thank you. Parties could continue to negotiate and they could
Speaker 7: still have the opportunity to come up with an agreement
Speaker 7: that satisfies the members and the corporation.
Speaker 4: So I'm just curious, are they negotiating today at this moment.
Speaker 7: My last information was that they were not.
Speaker 12: They were not.
Speaker 7: My hope is that they will continue to seek a
Speaker 7: resolution that has jointly arrived at together, because, as I
Speaker 7: said in my opening remarks, the best agreement is the
Speaker 7: one that is found at the table, and not just
Speaker 7: for members or the corporation, but for the long term
Speaker 7: piece and stability of the organization and its relationship with
Speaker 7: the employees. Listen, I have actually been an employer in
Speaker 7: a unionized environment previous to politics, and I can tell
Speaker 7: you that strike activity creates a very challenging, challenging environment
Speaker 7: to resume operations. And every employer needs good and stable
Speaker 7: relationships with this employees. So I do urge the parties
Speaker 7: to continue to talk, to continue to speak. There is
Speaker 7: that opportunity as we think it's never too late.
Speaker 17: Good morning everyone, and the warm welcome to everyone joining
Speaker 17: us today. Bonjour me.
Speaker 6: My name is.
Speaker 17: Shata Clavering and I am the Executive Director of Climate
Speaker 17: Passive Energy at the University of Toronto. It's a pleasure
Speaker 17: to be your MC for today's important announcement. As we
Speaker 17: gather in Markham, we acknowledge the traditional territories of Indigenous
Speaker 17: peoples and their commitment to stewardship of the land. We
Speaker 17: acknowledge the communities in circle, the north, West, South and
Speaker 17: Eastern directions and Huron, Wendad an Ishnabek, Seneca, Chippawa and
Speaker 17: the current treaty holders Mississauga's of the Credit Peoples. We
Speaker 17: share the responsibility with the caretakers of this land to
Speaker 17: ensure that dish is never empty and to restore relationships
Speaker 17: that are based on peace, friendship and trust. We are
Speaker 17: committed to reconciliation, partnership and enhanced understanding. On behalf of
Speaker 17: the University of Toronto and our partners here at Elektra,
Speaker 17: it's my plea. Okay, they are they are very light.
Speaker 17: Do you wanna do you want.
Speaker 16: To work like something.
Speaker 9: You want?
Speaker 17: You're I'm okay, you're okay. You know it doesn't hit me?
Speaker 7: Yeah?
Speaker 17: Do you want to move the podium or do.
Speaker 6: You want to keep it?
Speaker 17: Okay, I'm good, Thank you everyone.
Speaker 2: It didn't hit me.
Speaker 17: It's just hit the mic. On behalf of the University
Speaker 17: of Toronto and our partners here at Electra, it's my
Speaker 17: pleasure to welcome you to today's announcement, a celebration of innovation, collaboration,
Speaker 17: and our shared commitment to a cleaner energy future. The
Speaker 17: electricity grid is the backbone of our daily lives, and
Speaker 17: transforming it is essential if we are going to meet
Speaker 17: our climate goals by creating a smarter, cleaner, and more
Speaker 17: resilient grid that benefits us all. At the UFT, we
Speaker 17: are proud to contribute through research, teaching, and partnerships that
Speaker 17: help turn bold ideas into real world solutions, and we
Speaker 17: are equally proud to collaborate with governments, industry and communities
Speaker 17: on this important work. Thank you for joining us as
Speaker 17: we celebrate the people and ideas driving Canada's clean energy future.
Speaker 17: Sir d M vite La ribin Lenorabel Tim Hodgson, Ministro
Speaker 17: de Lergie de Canada. Without further ado, I'm pleased to
Speaker 17: welcome the Honorable Tim Hodgson, Canada's Minister of Energy and
Speaker 17: Natural Resources, to the podium. Please join me at to
Speaker 17: welcome the minister.
Speaker 18: Thank you for getting that, I'll sort it out before
Speaker 18: I got up here. And uh bojo to Lamot and
Speaker 18: thank you for that land acknowledgment. It's important that we
Speaker 18: do that at the start of every every event. It's
Speaker 18: a very exciting. I'm very excited to be here with
Speaker 18: you today in Markham, part of this country which I
Speaker 18: have the honor represent in the House of Commons. As
Speaker 18: you know, Canada is at a pivotal moment in our history.
Speaker 18: In a world where it seems the only thing certain
Speaker 18: is uncertainty itself. The old ways of doing things are
Speaker 18: no longer serving us. To remain strong, sustainable and secure,
Speaker 18: we must turn and stand together as Canadians and focus
Speaker 18: on all we have to offer ourselves within our own borders,
Speaker 18: or to put in another way as the Prime Minister.
Speaker 18: As the Prime Minister often does, we can give ourselves
Speaker 18: more than anyone can take away. This is especially true
Speaker 18: when it comes to energy. We have the resources to
Speaker 18: become an energy superpower, not just for exporting our products
Speaker 18: around the world, but for shoring up our energy security
Speaker 18: and affordability right here at home. Approximately eighty five percent
Speaker 18: of Canada's electricity comes from renewable and non emitting sources
Speaker 18: such as solar, hydroelectric power, nuclear wind power, and Ontario
Speaker 18: has been a leader in this transition as the former
Speaker 18: chair of one of the companies in the sector. I
Speaker 18: want to share with you my experience. Our clean grid
Speaker 18: gives Canada a competitive advantage in attracting capital investments that
Speaker 18: grow the economy, create good, well paying jobs, support a healthy,
Speaker 18: safe and livable environment, and has enormous potential to save
Speaker 18: families money.
Speaker 6: On their electricity bills.
Speaker 18: If we invest in the ingenuity and ambition of Canadians,
Speaker 18: we can keep building the most affordable, cleanest and smartest
Speaker 18: electricity grid in the world, one that puts reasonable bills
Speaker 18: and technology at its center and attracts investment from around
Speaker 18: the world that begins in innovative, forward looking places like
Speaker 18: markham Thornhill. That is why today I'm proud to announce
Speaker 18: more than thirteen million dollars in federal investment for five
Speaker 18: trail blazing projects right here in Ontario that will modernize
Speaker 18: and strengthen our electricity grid. Grid modernization is about more
Speaker 18: than transmission lines and substations. It's about building a system
Speaker 18: that works for people. Historically, electricity has followed flowed in
Speaker 18: one direction from large producers to the customers.
Speaker 6: But our world is changing.
Speaker 18: Canadians expect more from being connected to the grid. They
Speaker 18: expect that it should be easy to generate their own
Speaker 18: clean energy, store it for backup, and even supply it
Speaker 18: back to the grid to benefit themselves and help meet
Speaker 18: power demands for their communities.
Speaker 6: This presents a technical.
Speaker 18: Challenge, but also an opportunity to put the power in
Speaker 18: Canadians' hands and tailor our system to their needs. That
Speaker 18: is why we're investing six million dollars for Electric Utilities
Speaker 18: Centricity Project to give customers the tools to participate directly
Speaker 18: in Ontario's energy markets. Imagine a family with rooftop with
Speaker 18: rooftop solar panels, or a local business that generates some
Speaker 18: of its own power and stores.
Speaker 6: It in an on site battery.
Speaker 18: Thanks to this project, it will not only be easier
Speaker 18: to use that power themselves, but they'll also be able
Speaker 18: to supply it back to the grid and get paid.
Speaker 6: For their contributions in rural remote communities.
Speaker 18: We are investing over three million dollars in higher corporation,
Speaker 18: proving that clean energy isn't just for our biggest cities.
Speaker 18: By supporting Chigan to help industrial facilities transition from diesel
Speaker 18: to renewable energy. We are also investing over three point
Speaker 18: one million in Peak Power Incs work to deploy and
Speaker 18: demonstrate new technologies that will coordinate between sources of electricity
Speaker 18: on behalf of the consumer, drawing power from the grid
Speaker 18: when prices are lower, and from on site sources of
Speaker 18: electricity when the grid prices are higher. This will make
Speaker 18: our grid more efficient, responsive and affordable to all its users. Finally,
Speaker 18: Innova Power is receiving seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars
Speaker 18: to leverage AI to forecast when power demand will be higher,
Speaker 18: making it possible for power providers to offer to pay
Speaker 18: community members to used home based sources of power during
Speaker 18: these times. This can solve the need for expensive upgrades
Speaker 18: to the grid in order for it to provide more
Speaker 18: power while compensating customers for helping to reduce demand on
Speaker 18: the grid, saving money and strengthening reliable reliability for everyone. Ultimately,
Speaker 18: it's strategic, targeted investments and creative ideas like these that
Speaker 18: marry technology with affordability and economy with environment that will
Speaker 18: enable us to build an energy system that is more
Speaker 18: innovative and sustainable than ever before the exact type of
Speaker 18: grid we need to realize our goal of becoming an
Speaker 18: energy superpower and the strongest economy in the G seven.
Speaker 18: With that, thank you, Mercy, and I look forward to
Speaker 18: hearing the other speakers.
Speaker 17: Thank you, Minister. That's fantastic announcement and great contributions from
Speaker 17: Natural Resources Canada to all these four projects. So congratulations
Speaker 17: to all the project's recipients. Please join me to welcome
Speaker 17: Rudy Kuzeto, Parliamentary Assistant to Ontario's Minister of Energy and Minds,
Speaker 17: to the Mike.
Speaker 11: Rudy, thank you and good morning, and thank you doctor
Speaker 11: Shata for those kind introduction. Now I want to thank
Speaker 11: the Minister as well and for your support over these
Speaker 11: five clean energy projects, including here at Elektra. It is
Speaker 11: a real honor for me to join you this morning
Speaker 11: on behalf of Minister Stephen Leche, Ontario's Minister of Energy
Speaker 11: and Minds. With our promis's electricity demand expanding to raise
Speaker 11: to seventy five percent by twenty fifty, I was proud
Speaker 11: to join Minister two months ago as we launched on
Speaker 11: Energy for Generations, Ontario's first ever integrated energy plan. This
Speaker 11: is a blueprint to ensure we have the affordable, reliable
Speaker 11: and clean energy that we need to power our homes
Speaker 11: and businesses, both today and for our children and our grandchildren.
Speaker 11: It includes the largest energy procurement in Ontario's history and
Speaker 11: the first small module reactor in the G seven, both
Speaker 11: on time and on budget. But at the same time,
Speaker 11: we know that as our energy system grows, the role
Speaker 11: of energy users is growing with it, driven by new
Speaker 11: technology like solar panels, electric vehicles and batteries, smart thermostats
Speaker 11: and other devices that produce, store and manage power close
Speaker 11: to where it's used. With over six thousand megawatts of
Speaker 11: this local capacity already installed across Ontario, transformation is well underway.
Speaker 11: Projects like this at Electra will monetize Ontario's grid to
Speaker 11: support an even smarter, even more flexible system that better
Speaker 11: includes these new technologies. It will help to empower families, businesses,
Speaker 11: communities and First Nations across the province and to not
Speaker 11: just use energy, but to generate, store, and manage it
Speaker 11: as well. This will be a critical part of the
Speaker 11: solution not only for Ontario's growing energy needs, but also
Speaker 11: to help us reach our goal of a ninety nine
Speaker 11: percent emission free grid by twenty fifty that will help
Speaker 11: to build empower the strongest economy in the G seven.
Speaker 11: I was also proud to see that whatever is possible,
Speaker 11: Electra will be using businesses, suppliers, and vendors from Ontario
Speaker 11: or other provinces. We need this team Canada approach to
Speaker 11: protect and strengthen our critical domestic supply chain as we
Speaker 11: continue to deal with Presidents Trump's unfair and illegal tariffs
Speaker 11: and the economic uncertainty that is created. So again, I
Speaker 11: want to thank Brian and his team at Elektra for
Speaker 11: this important commitment as we all work together to renew
Speaker 11: and modernize our grid across the Greater Golden Horseshoe and
Speaker 11: across Ontario. Our children and their children will inherit an affordable, clean,
Speaker 11: reliable energy system because of the great work we're doing
Speaker 11: right here across Ontario and across Canada. And I want
Speaker 11: to congratulate all of you here today because without you,
Speaker 11: we would not be able to do what we are
Speaker 11: doing together. So thank you very much all of you
Speaker 11: here today.
Speaker 17: Thanks thank you, Parliamentary Assistant Couseto, and to your point,
Speaker 17: today is just an example of so many of how
Speaker 17: Canadians can work together as we see both the federal
Speaker 17: and provincial government coming together for this big announcement, So
Speaker 17: thank you again. I'd like to introduce Keith Irish, Ward
Speaker 17: one counselor with the City of Markham. Please join me
Speaker 17: to welcome.
Speaker 6: Keith Well, good morning and welcome to Markham.
Speaker 19: It's my pleasure to represent Mayor Scarpity and my colleagues
Speaker 19: on Markham Council and to be with you today for
Speaker 19: this announcement, and of course to be with Minister Hodson, who,
Speaker 19: as he mentioned, also happens to be the local member
Speaker 19: of parliament and he and I have the honor of
Speaker 19: representing our areas of jurisdiction overlap and together we work
Speaker 19: very collaboratively and representing the needs of the residents that
Speaker 19: were fortunate to represent. If you followed Tim on social media,
Speaker 19: you'll know what it feels like to have your headspin
Speaker 19: trying to keep track of where he is because he's
Speaker 19: traveling the country from one end to the other and
Speaker 19: to all points in between, in ways of seeking opportunities
Speaker 19: to get this country, as he mentioned, moving again in
Speaker 19: ways that we've not seen since C. D. Howe in
Speaker 19: the nineteen thirties, forties and fifties transformed the Canadian economy
Speaker 19: from one that was agricultural based to an industrial based economy.
Speaker 19: I'm also pleased to recognize from the Government of Ontario
Speaker 19: Rudy gisicetto the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy
Speaker 19: and minds for as everyone else here too, all the
Speaker 19: stakeholders who have joined us today. Not to be remiss,
Speaker 19: but I also follow Rudy on social media and it's
Speaker 19: equally hard to keep up with the number of hands
Speaker 19: he shakes, ribbons he cuts, and babies he kisses, so's
Speaker 19: everywhere and anywhere.
Speaker 6: So thank you, Rudy, and the.
Speaker 19: Support of your government as well. This transformative project shows
Speaker 19: what's possible when government, industry and communities come together. They
Speaker 19: work together and share the goals of sustainability, innovation and
Speaker 19: resilience for our community. This is more than technological upgrades.
Speaker 19: It means a smarter, cleaner, more reliable energy future. It
Speaker 19: ensures that our residents and our businesses and institutions benefit
Speaker 19: directly from innovation in the energy sector. So the goal
Speaker 19: is simple, a more flexible, resilient and customer focused grid
Speaker 19: that meets today's needs and prepares us for the challenges
Speaker 19: and opportunities of tomorrow. That Tim is so actively pursuing
Speaker 19: on our behalf.
Speaker 6: So thank you very much.
Speaker 17: Thank you, Counselor Irish. It's my pleasure to introduce you
Speaker 17: to our host today at Electra, Brian Bentz, President and
Speaker 17: CEO of Electra Utilities. Please join me to welcome Brian.
Speaker 6: Thank you very much and good morning everyone.
Speaker 20: I'd like to welcome everyone to Electra and our Markham
Speaker 20: Service Center as we launch an exciting milestone I think
Speaker 20: in the evolution of the electricity market in Ontario and
Speaker 20: Canada and maybe globally, a collaboration made possible through the
Speaker 20: support of Natural Resources Canada. Before I begin, I would
Speaker 20: like to thank and acknowledge Minister Hodgson right from Markham,
Speaker 20: Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Rudy casetto Parliamentary Assistant
Speaker 20: to the Ontarios Minister of Energy and Minds and Counselor
Speaker 20: Keith Irish for being here today. It is about support
Speaker 20: from government and all working with companies like ours and
Speaker 20: all of our partners that makes these adventures so exciting
Speaker 20: and the potential for so much success. We are very
Speaker 20: fortunate to have Minister Hodgson as in the position that
Speaker 20: he's in now, he really understands the local electricity system
Speaker 20: in Ontario, having been chair of hydro One for several years,
Speaker 20: the importance of local distribution companies in the province and
Speaker 20: how they are connected to customers and the potential that
Speaker 20: distribution systems can have to the electricity grid in Ontario
Speaker 20: and beyond. And similarly, Rudy, thanks to you and Minister
Speaker 20: Letche for your vision in terms of painting a picture
Speaker 20: for Ontario that is a clean grid where businesses will
Speaker 20: want to invest in Ontario.
Speaker 6: We want to make that.
Speaker 20: We want to empower consumers so that they can reduce
Speaker 20: their electricity bills and we can have a cleaner grid
Speaker 20: We've talked a lot about flipping the grid, and that's
Speaker 20: what we're trying to do with this project. For over
Speaker 20: one hundred years, electricity markets have been operated from the
Speaker 20: wholesale level, So we have system operators that buy generation
Speaker 20: from large generators upstream and they act on behalf of
Speaker 20: the consumers. They buy power on behalf of the consumers,
Speaker 20: and that market has worked well. But now it's time
Speaker 20: to blend it and change it with downstream electricity markets.
Speaker 20: If we do have six thousand megawatts of grid edge capacity,
Speaker 20: let's open up that capacity to consumers so that they
Speaker 20: can lower their bills. They can work together to make
Speaker 20: that happen. The Centricity project is really about putting the
Speaker 20: building blocks in place so that we can schedule, dispatch, forecast,
Speaker 20: and settle all of that power at the edge of
Speaker 20: the grid for the benefit of consumers. And I'm very
Speaker 20: excited about that. We are at an accelerated pace of
Speaker 20: change for electrification. Our growing economy and increased housing needs,
Speaker 20: along with evolving customer behaviors and preferences, are driving rapid
Speaker 20: growth on the grid. Meeting this demand will not only
Speaker 20: require us to double system capacity, it will also require
Speaker 20: an evolution of what we use as energy resources, how
Speaker 20: they are procured, how they are dispatched. This future cannot
Speaker 20: be built on traditional infrastructure alone. We must embrace smarter,
Speaker 20: more flexible grid edge and more resilient solutions and that's
Speaker 20: where Centricity comes in. With this joint initiative, we're not
Speaker 20: just creating a roadmap, we're building the blueprint for Distribution
Speaker 20: system Operator model DSO model in Ontario. It's a vision
Speaker 20: that aligns directly with Energy's letter of Direction to the
Speaker 20: OEB and supports key provincial goals including expanding energy efficiency
Speaker 20: and non wire solutions. Centricity is about modernizing how we plan, operate,
Speaker 20: and optimize our electricity grid. It enhances control room capabilities
Speaker 20: and enables new market mechanisms that benefit our customers. Centricity
Speaker 20: represents the start of a shift to full DSO operations.
Speaker 20: These capabilities are being embedded directly in our day to
Speaker 20: day utility work designed to be enduring, scalable, and impactful.
Speaker 20: This work is only possible through strong collaboration, and we're
Speaker 20: proud to partner with the Minister Natural Resources Canada, the
Speaker 20: provincial government who has been instrumental in enabling Centricity. We're
Speaker 20: also working closely with the Ministry of Energy the on
Speaker 20: Terror Energy Board to ensure policy alignment and long term
Speaker 20: via ability. We're working with Oakville Hydro. We're collaborating to
Speaker 20: assess the value and the viability of DSO as a
Speaker 20: service to other areas of a province. What makes Centricity
Speaker 20: especially exciting is its innovation in energy markets.
Speaker 6: We're enabling the procurement of local.
Speaker 20: Grid services directly from our customers, for example their evs,
Speaker 20: solar panels, and battery storage units to support our grid
Speaker 20: reduce the need for large generation and transmission projects. At
Speaker 20: the same time, will be compensating customers who choose to participate,
Speaker 20: reducing their energy costs. At its core, Centricity is about
Speaker 20: delivering value to our customers. It gives them more choice
Speaker 20: and more flexibility, It opens doors to new revenue opportunities,
Speaker 20: and it helps reduce overall system costs. Communities will benefit
Speaker 20: from smarter, more resilient energy planning tailored to local needs
Speaker 20: and conditions, and we're committed to sharing what we've learned,
Speaker 20: and that includes working with our partners at the Ontario
Speaker 20: Energy Association. Vince Bresha, thank you for being here. Electricity
Speaker 20: Distributors Association, Teresa's Arcasian. Thank you for all your support
Speaker 20: Electricity Canada and the Smart Grid Innovation Network. We're also
Speaker 20: incredibly proud to be partnering with the University of Toronto,
Speaker 20: Mississauga to drive cutting edge research and support the next
Speaker 20: generation of energy leaners. Finally, I want to express our
Speaker 20: deep gratitude to our many partners and everyone working alongside
Speaker 20: us to make this vision truly a reality. Together, we're
Speaker 20: not just preparing for the future, we're shaping it. Thank
Speaker 20: you very much.
Speaker 17: Thank you, Brian. We are very excited at this project
Speaker 17: and we cannot wait to see the outcomes and the
Speaker 17: per dime shift in the electricity markets that it will
Speaker 17: result in. Thank you. Next up, I'm pleased to introduce
Speaker 17: grand Tebossige, business and Economic Development manager with the Shiging
Speaker 17: First Nations Higher Corporation. Please join me and welcome grant.
Speaker 21: Me, grich Annie, Hello, Bojo, Honorable Tim Hodgson, Ministry of
Speaker 21: Energy and Natural Resources, Friends, guests and provincial representatives. My
Speaker 21: name is grand Teboski. I'm the Economic Development manager for
Speaker 21: the Chiguing First Nation and I work with our higher corp.
Speaker 21: Economic Development with me today is Laura Souther's a member
Speaker 21: of our Economic Development Corporation and treasurer. I speak for
Speaker 21: Cheguing First Nation on NNOM missing Manitoulin Island.
Speaker 6: We are builders.
Speaker 21: We put up a wind farm, many rooftop solar community
Speaker 21: grocery store, electric vehicle charging stations, and new spaces for
Speaker 21: our people to work and learn. That's who we are.
Speaker 21: We learn, we hire local, and we get it done.
Speaker 21: We're proud to be the first Indigenous community in Ontario
Speaker 21: and possibly Canada to build and own and operate a
Speaker 21: four megawalk wind farm in our community of Chiging with
Speaker 21: our own resources and our own trades. We're grateful to
Speaker 21: our federal and provincial partners for walking with us, but
Speaker 21: we face too hard truths. Diesel still powers much of
Speaker 21: industry work, and the air we breed pays the price.
Speaker 21: Much of our Manitoulin Island can't get the power needs
Speaker 21: because the grid only serves where the forty four kV
Speaker 21: lines run. So we chose to lead. Four years ago,
Speaker 21: we asked how do we move in a major industrial
Speaker 21: customer off an aging five megawak diesel plant With our
Speaker 21: development and technology team and support from Nerkan's Energy Innovation program.
Speaker 21: We're building a new way, a system that blends new technology, renewables, storage,
Speaker 21: and new loads with the existing grid, a system that
Speaker 21: helps connect the past with the present and to unlock
Speaker 21: our future. Our goal in two years is to cut
Speaker 21: diesel use by seventy five percent for a major industrial
Speaker 21: user of diesel power on Manitoulin Island. Next, add wind,
Speaker 21: solar and batteries to reach near zero diesel keeping up
Speaker 21: keeping a backup only for emergencies. We'll upgrade lines at
Speaker 21: a substation and use island hands wherever we can. This
Speaker 21: is made in Canada innovation. If it works here for US,
Speaker 21: it can work in many other communities where wheat rids
Speaker 21: keep industry tied to fossil fuels. We invite Ontario's planners
Speaker 21: to sit with us and plan for a cleaner, stronger
Speaker 21: grid for Manitoulin communities and are off island neighbors. We
Speaker 21: are ready to be partners in closing. Let me be clear.
Speaker 21: Without Enercan, this project would not be happening. Your smart
Speaker 21: grid funding and trust is turning our community's vision into
Speaker 21: work on the ground today. Is possible because Enercan believed
Speaker 21: in US and backed us. If not for anacan's support,
Speaker 21: we would still be talking instead of building. Minister to
Speaker 21: you and your team. To Migwitch from Chigin First Nation
Speaker 21: for walking beside Chigin First Nation, Migwitch, thank.
Speaker 17: You grant and great participation of the First Nations community.
Speaker 17: Please join me to welcome Peak Powers Vice President of
Speaker 17: Legal Affairs Shrada Mishra, Oh you're.
Speaker 9: Here, Good morning and thank you to National Resources Canada,
Speaker 9: to honorable Minister Hodgson and our partners here today. It's
Speaker 9: a pleasure to be here in Markham to celebrate this
Speaker 9: important announcement for Canada's clean energy future. I'm Shrada Mishra,
Speaker 9: VP of Legal at Peak Power, and I would start
Speaker 9: by saying that where traditionally energy solutions have been have
Speaker 9: involved demand response, we're trying to find more innovative approaches
Speaker 9: to approach this solution. At Peak Power, we support large
Speaker 9: energy users to manage their energy in smarter, more flexible ways.
Speaker 9: Today we're thrilled to share that the support from NARCAN
Speaker 9: will help us advance our Distributed Energy Resources Management platform
Speaker 9: DARA across three demonstration sites in Ontario by integrating battery storage,
Speaker 9: EV charging and solar under a single software platform. Deara
Speaker 9: helps these customers lower costs while actively participating in a
Speaker 9: modern electricity grid. As load growth continues to outpace supply
Speaker 9: and with large scale generation solutions still years away, for
Speaker 9: flexible distributed energy resources have never been greater. Projects like
Speaker 9: ours will show how distributed energy solutions are the best
Speaker 9: tool to meet the challenges of today's changing energy landscape,
Speaker 9: helping businesses save money while also supporting the broader electricity grid.
Speaker 9: This project is designed to deliver tangible benefits for Canadians Environmental,
Speaker 9: lowering emissions and increasing renewable integration, Economic reducing electricity costs
Speaker 9: and creating more flexible energy management options for customers. And finally, innovation,
Speaker 9: advancing Canadian clean technology leadership and exploring alternative approaches to
Speaker 9: meeting grid needs. This project is more than technology. It's
Speaker 9: about showing how flexible distributed energy solutions can create a cleaner,
Speaker 9: more resilient electricity system for all Canadians. We're grateful for
Speaker 9: the support from Natural Resources Canada and our partners, and
Speaker 9: we look forward to sharing the results of this important
Speaker 9: initiative over the coming years.
Speaker 17: Thank you, and last but not least, I'd like to
Speaker 17: invite Greg Cameron President and CEO of Inova to provide
Speaker 17: some remarks.
Speaker 14: Good morning, and thank you everyone for Cominganta this morning.
Speaker 14: For a moment, I thought I was sitting back in
Speaker 14: Jamaica this beautiful, intense sunshine. So thank you Minister for
Speaker 14: inviting us to this announcement and to our host Brian
Speaker 14: and the team at a lecturer. It's a pleasure to
Speaker 14: be here among leaders from across the energy sector, government
Speaker 14: and media. An overpower or purpose is clear to energize
Speaker 14: and empower or communities we serve and to drive what's
Speaker 14: next in energy and sus inability for our communities and beyond,
Speaker 14: including Kitchener Waterloo wool which will Mut and Willesley. As
Speaker 14: Ontario's seven largest distribution company, we serve over one hundred
Speaker 14: and sixty five thousand customers and manage more than six
Speaker 14: hundred million dollars in assets. Our commitment is to deliver safe,
Speaker 14: reliable and affordable electricity while preparing our grid for the future.
Speaker 14: Over the years, we have made significant investments in expanding
Speaker 14: and modernizing our distribution system. Through advanced automation and infrastructure upgrades.
Speaker 14: We have enhanced reliability, reduce outage impacts, and improved operational efficiency.
Speaker 14: But we know that traditional infrastructural loan won't meet the
Speaker 14: energy demands of tomorrow. With electricity demand projected to increase
Speaker 14: by up to seventy five percent or even double by
Speaker 14: twenty fifty, we must evolve. That's why an ov is
Speaker 14: transitioning from a passive distributor to an active distribution system operator,
Speaker 14: a shift that positions us to better manage distributed energy
Speaker 14: resources and support a more dynamic, resilient grid.
Speaker 6: This and ACNT funded.
Speaker 14: Project that we'll be embarking on bis on our history
Speaker 14: of innovation and represents a strategic step toward a smarter,
Speaker 14: more flexible grid. We're excited to be partnering with grid
Speaker 14: s to, an Ontario clean based startup technology company, and
Speaker 14: collaborating with Natural Resources Canada to deploy AI based planning
Speaker 14: and optimization tools and grids to transactive energy platform. These
Speaker 14: technologies will help us unlock the full potential of distributed
Speaker 14: energy resources and enable local energy procurement. This is about
Speaker 14: building the electricity system of the future, one that maximizes
Speaker 14: clean energy use, misgrowing demand responsibly, and empowers our customers. Importantly,
Speaker 14: this project emphasizes community engagement and customer participation. Ensuring that
Speaker 14: individuals from all backgrounds can actively contribute to and benefit
Speaker 14: from the energy transition. It's a model for sustainable, equitable
Speaker 14: and resilient energy future. We believe the outcomes will be
Speaker 14: scalable as Brand mentioned for his project, and replicable across
Speaker 14: the regions. We will work closely with other LDCs and
Speaker 14: partners like GRIZ Smart City to ensure collaboration and avoid
Speaker 14: duplication while accelerating market transformation across Ontario and beyond.
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