Ontario Launches Expert Panel to Strengthen Local Electricity Distribution
New advisory group to modernize Ontario’s power grid and ensure reliable, affordable energy for families and businesses
Toronto, Ontario – The Ontario government has launched a new expert advisory panel to modernize the province’s electricity distribution system and ensure reliable, affordable power for families, businesses, and growing communities across the province.
Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce announced the creation of the Panel for Utility Leadership and Service Excellence (PULSE) — a group of energy experts and municipal representatives tasked with identifying ways to strengthen local electricity distribution, improve reliability, and secure Ontario’s long-term energy future.
Ontario’s local electricity system, which delivers power to homes and businesses through nearly 60 utilities, faces mounting challenges due to aging infrastructure and surging demand driven by electrification and economic growth. The Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) estimates the province will need between $103 and $120 billion in capital investment over the next two decades to maintain and expand the network.
“If the backbone of Ontario’s electricity grid — our utilities that bring power to homes, businesses and factories — cannot keep up, Ontario risks falling behind,” said Lecce. “Through this review, we will transform all utilities into more reliable, resilient and future-ready systems that keep energy rates affordable for families.”
Reviewing Governance, Service Standards, and Investment Frameworks
The new panel will provide the government with recommendations to enhance customer service, attract investment, and improve financial stability within the local distribution sector.
Key areas of review will include:
-
Operational and customer service improvements across utilities.
-
New investment frameworks to address rising infrastructure costs.
-
Governance models that balance municipal ownership and system efficiency.
-
Enhanced service standards to reduce connection delays and improve response times after extreme weather events.
PULSE will also explore how shared services, modern grid technologies, and streamlined procurement processes can reduce costs and strengthen Ontario’s energy reliability.
Expert Leadership and Municipal Collaboration
The panel will be chaired by leading figures in the energy and finance sectors, including Anthony Haines, Paula Conboy, Alexander Nuttall, and David MacNaughton, with Stephen Poloz, former Governor of the Bank of Canada, serving as expert advisor. Together, they bring decades of experience in infrastructure investment, regulation, and public policy.
Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, said the initiative ensures that every Ontario community will benefit from a modernized power grid.
“Through PULSE’s recommendations, we will ensure that every community has access to power that is safe, affordable, and resilient — both today and for generations to come,” Flack said.
Associate Minister of Energy Intensive Industries Sam Oosterhoff emphasized that the panel’s work aligns with Ontario’s broader plan to keep energy rates affordable. “This review will help drive affordability by improving grid reliability, service standards, and economic development opportunities,” Oosterhoff said.
Local Leaders Welcome the Initiative
Municipal leaders and industry groups across Ontario have praised the province for including local perspectives in shaping the future of the power system.
-
Marianne Meed Ward, Chair of Ontario’s Big City Mayors, said PULSE “ensures that municipalities’ on-the-ground experience will directly shape energy policy.”
-
Robin Jones, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), noted the panel will respond to calls for “new funding and financing mechanisms to renew and expand LDC infrastructure.”
-
Teresa Sarkesian, President and CEO of the Electricity Distributors Association, said investing in utilities is critical to “power communities and drive economic opportunity across Ontario.”
-
Amy Martin, Chair of the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus, and Rick Dumas, President of the Northern Ontario Municipalities Association, both stressed the importance of including regional and northern voices in shaping a fair and resilient energy system.
Future-Proofing Ontario’s Energy System
Ontario’s electricity distribution sector has not undergone a comprehensive review since 2012, despite major technological, environmental, and geopolitical shifts. The Ontario Energy Board and prior review panels have long urged reforms to modernize systems, adopt innovative technologies, and improve value for ratepayers.
PULSE is expected to deliver its final recommendations in early 2026, providing a roadmap for strengthening Ontario’s local electricity distribution network — ensuring it can support housing growth, industrial expansion, and the province’s transition to a cleaner, electrified economy.
Follow GTA Today for more local news and updates. #GTAToday
