EFC Meets with Ontario Government to Advance Grid Modernization and Supply Chain Priorities

This week, Electro-Federation Canada (EFC) continued its engagement with the Government of Ontario to advocate for policies that support electricity grid modernization, supply chain resilience, and long-term investment in Canada’s electrical and automation industry.

 

Through a series of meetings with provincial officials, EFC reinforced the critical role the industry plays in enabling electrification, economic growth, infrastructure expansion, and energy reliability as Ontario prepares for significant growth in electricity demand over the coming decades.

 

This week, EFC representatives met with Sam Oosterhoff, Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries, whose newly created portfolio supports the Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines.

 

Participating on behalf of industry were:

Discussions focused on Ontario’s rapidly evolving electricity system and the growing need for coordinated action to support grid expansion, modernization, and electrification. EFC emphasized that meeting future electricity demand will require substantial investment across transmission, distribution, demand-side management, and grid technologies. EFC also highlighted several industry priorities, including:

“Ontario’s electricity transformation presents a major opportunity for Canada’s electrical industry, but it also requires long-term planning, investment certainty, and close collaboration between government and industry,” said Cherith Sinasac, Vice President, Government Relations, EFC. “Our members are essential partners in building the infrastructure and supply chain capacity needed to support Ontario’s energy future.”

 

The discussion reinforced the important role Ontario’s electrical manufacturing industry plays in supporting economic competitiveness and a reliable energy future.

 

On May 13, Carol McGlogan and Cherith Sinasac from EFC met with officials from the Office of the Premier of Ontario and the Ministry of Energy & Electrification, Distribution, Conservation and Innovation Policy Division alongside industry representatives:

During the meeting, EFC introduced government officials to its latest national report, Building Canada’s Future Electricity Grid: A Supply Chain and Policy Roadmap, which outlines key challenges and opportunities facing Canada’s electricity transition.

 

The discussion focused on supply chain pressures affecting utilities and manufacturers across the country. Industry leaders highlighted:

EFC also emphasized the importance of regulatory frameworks that support smart grid technologies, demand flexibility, and utility modernization initiatives.

 

The association encouraged continued collaboration between government, utilities, and industry to ensure Ontario can meet growing electricity demand while maintaining affordability, reliability, and competitiveness.

 

Later in the week, EFC’s Joint Transformer Section Chairs and Vice Chairs met with officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mines to introduce new ministry staff to EFC’s transformer industry leadership and discuss ongoing sector priorities.

 

The discussion focused on supply chain risks as one of the top barriers to grid expansion and modernization. Industry representatives outlined how continued pressure on transformer supply chains is contributing to extended lead times and increased costs across the sector.

 

EFC also highlighted successful examples of collaboration between industry, utilities, and government, including efforts to advance harmonized energy efficiency transformer standards and coordinated responses to sector-wide challenges.

 

These ongoing discussions reinforce the importance of strong industry-government collaboration as Ontario works to build a modern, resilient, and reliable electricity grid for the future.