Sarnia's mayor is encouraged to see Ontario's "forward thinking" in creating a strategic advisory group to focus on strengthening local electricity distribution.
Mayor Mike Bradley penned a letter to Premier Doug Ford on Wednesday, commending the provincial government for launching the Panel for Utility Leadership and Service Excellence (PULSE).
During an interview with Sarnia News Today, Bradley said energy and energy supply for this area is a "huge issue."
"It's long overdue to look at the local power distribution network and to look at what we need for the future," he said. "I've heard from the Mayor of St. Clair Township, Jeff Agar, that this is very much an important part of their economic strategy too."
Bradley said a meeting is also scheduled to take place with Associate Minister of Energy Intensive Industries Sam Oosterhoff on Friday.
The PULSE initiative was announced on October 27.
Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce said the panel will consist of industry experts and municipal representatives, who are listed below.
Based on an estimate from the Electricity Distributors Association, the province said up to $120 billion may be needed over the next two decades to maintain existing assets.
The province also said the local distribution sector has not undertaken a review since 2012.
“The world has changed, which is why we need to future-proof Ontario’s grid as we invest in the next generation of electricity infrastructure," said Lecce in a media release. "Through this review, we will transform all utilities into more reliable, resilient, and future-ready systems that are focused on keeping energy rates affordable for families.”
The panel will be tasked with making recommendations to improve operational and customer service, identify strategies to address rising financing gaps, address barriers to attracting investments into municipally owned Local Distribution Companies (LDCs), and review ownership, governance, and investment models.
Ontario has nearly 60 LDCs.
The panel will utilize existing evidence, research, and input from sector experts to back its recommendations.
"I'm hoping there will be recommendations to support what's happening in Sarnia-Lambton, to improve the system. They'll deal with other issues like, do we have too many distribution companies and how they should operate, but I think the key issue is making sure we have a secure energy supply for the future," Bradley said. "Especially when we have so many issues going on in the economy that could impact negatively, like the tariffs from the U.S."
Members of PULSE include: Paula Conboy, an internationally recognized expert in the energy sector; Director of Ontario Power Generation and Chairman of Elexicon Corporation Anthony Haines; Mayor of Barrie Alexander Nuttall, who also serves as the vice chair of Ontario Big City Mayors; and David MacNaughton, a Canadian diplomat, political advisor, and former president of Palantir Technologies Canada.
Stephen Poloz, the former Bank of Canada governor, was appointed to the role of expert advisor.
PULSE is expected to deliver its final recommendations to Minister Lecce in early 2026.
