Canadian Electricity Association: The Electricity Imperative
The Honourable Sergio Marchi
Electricity powers our homes, offices, factories, institutions, and economy. But rarely do we give a second thought to the complex infrastructure that underpins the electricity system. We largely take electricity for granted — 'out of site, out of mind'. That attitude quickly changes when our lives are turned upside down due the results of something like an extreme wind storm.
We need to pay closer attention, and we need to do it now. The reality is, all over Canada governments have postponed the hard decisions and have under-invested in that infrastructure year after year, hoping to get by for just a little while longer. They, and regulators alike, worry about the costs of the investments and its impact on the price of electricity.
Cost of course is a legitimate concern. However, we must also shift the conversation to the value of electricity, since much of Canada's electricity infrastructure is near the end of its life cycle. It must be renewed, replaced, and modernized. This will require an investment of $350 billion over the next 20 years, according to the Conference Board of Canada.
Our country needs reliable electricity to grow and prosper. Moreover, our children have the right to the same reliable system our parents built for us. Like with everything else, there are choices to be made. Not reinvesting brings with it a list of consequences and costs.
Join us to hear the Honourable Sergio Marchi, President and CEO of the Canadian Electricity Association, as he makes the case for this and other compelling challenges facing the electricity industry in Canada.
About the Speaker
The Honourable Sergio Marchi was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) in February 2015. As President of CEA, Mr. Marchi acts as spokesperson on issues of national concern to the electric utility industry.
The Honourable Sergio Marchi was elected as a Toronto City Councillor in 1982, and was subsequently elected as the Member of Parliament representing the Toronto riding of York West in 1984. During his time in the federal government, he served as Cabinet Minister in three key portfolios: International Trade; Environment; and Citizenship and Immigration.After voluntarily leaving the political arena in 1999, Mr. Marchi was appointed Canadian Ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations (UN) Agencies in Geneva, where he served for five years. In 2003, he was nominated by the Canadian government and the UN Secretary General to serve as Commissioner on the UN Global Commission on International Migration, a position he held until 2005.
Prior to joining CEA, Mr. Marchi held a number of positions in the private sector, and was a frequent public speaker and commentator on international issues, including global migration, international economy, trade, and investment.
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