Set Electrons Free

Sporadic calls for greater interprovincial electric grid integration to benefit Canadian families and businesses have been heard over the decades since our first transmission lines were laid more than 125 years ago.

Today, the United States’ volatile trade stance has elevated the promise of these benefits. As Canada’s provincial leaders seek to shield their jurisdictions from economic damage, we’ve seen a turn towards strengthening domestic partnerships, with provincial governments now focused on dismantling internal Canadian trade barriers.

Interprovincial electricity collaboration will greatly benefit this effort. The widely recognized benefits of greater regional interconnectedness—affordability, reliability and resource optimization—now tie into an urgent need to reduce our vulnerability to unpredictable political winds from the south.

This desire for greater economic and energy resilience coincides with the accelerated domestic development of new electricity resources such as wind, solar, and nuclear generation, making the value of integrated regional electricity networks even more compelling. The complementary nature of provincial electricity systems represents economic opportunities that can simultaneously help alleviate immediate concerns on trade while building long-term resilience for the energy mix of the future.

We recognize that interprovincial electricity collaboration has remained elusive for valid reasons—the market, regulatory, physical, and political complexities are substantial. Yet the current moment demands nothing less than a commitment to overcome these challenges. Electrifying Canada is ready to accelerate this transformation. The need and support for interprovincial collaboration was confirmed over the last two years through two dozen provincial engagement sessions held by Electrifying Canada in all provinces, involving over 350 participants. We are engaged in finding paths to overcoming barriers and strengthening the cross-border partnerships that lie at the heart of a stronger Canadian energy future. The time to convert aspirations into action has arrived.

Our Goal: Stronger Regional
Electricity Collaboration

Our initiative is guided by a clear vision: Neighbouring provinces working in significantly closer coordination—both in planning and operating their electricity systems—to identify, build, and unlock the full benefits of stronger grid interconnections.

Indigenous participation is a cornerstone of this vision. Any successful interprovincial electricity collaboration will require transmission infrastructure crossing provincial boundaries and First Nations’ lands and many communities seek opportunities to take a leadership role in the development of new transmission infrastructure.

Success will be achieved through distinct pathways that reflect the unique contexts and relationships of each province and region. But the ultimate goal remains clear: provincial electricity systems exchanging more electrons between themselves for the mutual benefit of all involved.

This will include identifying and supporting interprovincial transmission projects where they make sense today, and perhaps more importantly, establishing frameworks where:

• Investment decisions for new generation and transmission assets consider resources and needs across provincial boundaries.
• Regulatory frameworks align to enable efficient electricity trading and resource sharing.
• Benefits and costs are shared equitably among participating provinces and their ratepayers.

Our Approach: Mobilizing Diverse
Coalitions to Drive Action

Stronger regional electricity collaboration will not be achieved by any one actor alone. It will require many stakeholders—governments, Indigenous rightsholders, system planners, utilities, regulators, industry, and civil society—coming together to break down long-standing barriers and create the conditions necessary to build out the electricity infrastructure Canada needs.

Electrifying Canada has been established to help convene and support these collaborations. We aim to bring together leading organizations, experts, and stakeholders—many of which are already working on these challenges—to collectively pursue two parallel processes:

1. Strengthening and Communicating the Case for Collaboration

Our goal is to communicate the benefits of increased collaboration in concrete terms: improved grid reliability, lower electricity rates, enhanced energy resource development, and greater energy security.

2. Supporting the Development of Concrete Implementation Roadmaps

We will work with regional partners to develop the necessary solutions to breakdown the longstanding barriers that have historically inhibited greater collaboration between provinces. Together with experts and stakeholders, we will facilitate the co-development of roadmaps to overcome the historical challenges limiting regional electricity integration.

These coalitions will be led by regional partners in priority regions, recognizing that solutions must be tailored to each region’s unique circumstances, rather than generic national approaches. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and our approach will reflect provinces’ distinctive contexts and opportunities.