The House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources met to study Canada’s electrification, energy self-sufficiency and domestic energy security. Witnesses included Darren Christie from the Canadian Energy Regulator; Drew Leyburne, André Bernier and Michael Rau from the Department of Natural Resources; Joanna Ankersmit from the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs; and academics Normand Mousseau, Blake Shaffer and Pierre-Olivier Pineau.
Darren Christie presented the Canadian Energy Regulator’s electricity mandate, noting it regulates international power lines and exports but not interprovincial trade. He highlighted that electricity demand could grow 30% to 120% by 2050, driven by electrification and new demands like data centres, and that interprovincial transmission capacity would need to rise roughly 70%. He noted that central Canada’s reliance on U.S. natural gas and crude oil would persist in most scenarios.
Drew Leyburne outlined the national electricity strategy, emphasizing that electricity is foundational to competitiveness and that doubling the system requires generational investment, though provinces retain jurisdiction. He noted that energy security involves the full system’s resilience and that Canada supports global stability as a dependable energy supplier, while acknowledging that geopolitical instability and trade dynamics affect domestic energy systems.
André Bernier explained that the federal government’s role is one of partnership with provinces, not dictation, and that increased interprovincial interconnection would help manage variable renewable resources. He confirmed that the government intends to support intra-provincial transmission lines, though details are not finalized, and that the Canada Infrastructure Bank facilitates indigenous ownership in projects.
Michael Rau stated that there are few interprovincial trade barriers in the refined product space, with flows occurring freely. He noted that eastern Canada imports about 500,000 barrels per day, roughly 80% from the U.S., due to infrastructure constraints that require crude to come by ship.
Joanna Ankersmit said the federal government is working with territorial partners, utilities and indigenous communities to increase northern energy capacity and reduce diesel reliance, citing the Iqaluit hydro project as an example. She noted that the indigenous loan guarantee program has been well received and that dual-use technologies for security bases and communities are being actively discussed.
Normand Mousseau argued that Canada’s electrification rate has stagnated at 17-18% while other countries have advanced, and that the national electricity strategy is a step but insufficient. He recommended an asymmetric decarbonization strategy that supports new technologies rather than punishing old ones, and urged the federal government to adopt a robust plan to electrify energy services while fostering innovation through better-structured tenders and regulations.
Blake Shaffer emphasized that interprovincial transmission and flexible demand are key wins, noting that stronger interties between western provinces could capture benefits from geographic diversity and growing load. He said the federal government should support but not lead, as provinces guard their jurisdiction, and that flexible demand, such as time-varying rates for electric vehicles, can avoid costly peak capacity upgrades.
Pierre-Olivier Pineau advocated for greater interprovincial collaboration and market integration, arguing that Canada suffers from “energy obesity” and low energy productivity compared to peers. He stressed that the goal should be using energy more efficiently rather than simply doubling generation, and that energy security comes from reducing vulnerability through efficiency and less exposure to risks.
The committee discussed procedural matters, including the ongoing forestry study and the return of members from travel, but no motions or votes were recorded.
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