The Distributor Fall 2018

POSITIONING THE EDA, PROMOTING LDCS 18

ENERGY INSIDER: EDA CEO TERESA SARKESIAN 24

DISTRIBUTOR THE

FALL 2018

KEEPING THE

CUSTOMER FIRST

Ontario’s LDCs are giving customers more choice, exceptional service 8

Hydro Ottawa: Putting Customer Restoration First Agreement #: 43526108

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Megan Gooding, Customer Account Representative at Waterloo North Hydro.

Photo credit: David Briggs

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CONTENTS

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SECTOR SCAN 6 News from the electricity distribution industry

COVER 8 Keeping the Customer First 12 Waterloo North — Putting the Customer Experience First 14 Hydro Ottawa — Putting Customer Restoration First 16 What Ontario LDCs Can Learn from Down Under

ADVOCACY IN ACTION 18 Positioning the EDA, Promoting LDCs 19 Get Involved, Stay Involved: Power of Local Hydro 19 New EDA Committee Addresses IESO’s MRP 19 Advocating for Electrification

LDC INNOVATORS 20 Hydro Ottawa Reduces Costs, Maximizes Control with Owned Fiber Lines 22 Veridian Connections: Turning Rooftop Real Estate into Clean Energy

COMMERCIAL SUCCESS 24 Aird & Berlis Energy Insider: Teresa Sarkesian

CONNECT EVENTS 26 CUEE 2018 28 The EDA Team Makes the Rounds 29 Register for EDIST 2019 www.eda.on.ca

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MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR Fall 2018

The Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) publishes The Distributor for its members and stakeholders. All rights to editorial content are reserved by the EDA. No article can be reproduced in whole or in part without the permission of the EDA.

PUBLISHED Fall 2018 FOR: Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) 3700 Steeles Avenue West, Suite 1100 Vaughan, ON L4L 8K8 www.eda-on.ca

EDA STAFF CEO’S OFFICE Teresa Sarkesian, President and CEO Natasha Galati, Executive and Administrative Assistant

POLICY AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS Justin Rangooni, Vice President, Policy and Government Affairs Kathi Farmer, Senior Regulatory Affairs Advisor Jesse Kulendran, Senior Policy Advisor Derek Nardone, Manager, Corporate and Government Affairs

CORPORATE AND MEMBER AFFAIRS Ted Wigdor, Vice President, Corporate and Member Affairs Marica Macura, Director, Member Relations and Events Andrea Ritter, Manager, Communications and Media Relations Sari Maritzer, Coordinator, Communications Dianna Merlocco, Events Specialist

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION Tamara Orlova, Director, Finance and Administration Arlene Klemmer, Accounting Clerk Matthews Joseph, Senior IT Analyst Lina Parisi, Receptionist Chrissan Pascal, Office Services Assistant

PUBLISHER

DOVETAIL Communications 30 East Beaver Creek, Suite 202 Richmond Hill, ON L4B 1J2 Tel. 905.886.6640 | www.dvtail.com Advertising inquiries, Beth Kukkonen, bkukkonen@dvtail.com Editorial inquiries, Andrea Ritter, aritter@eda-on.ca Please return undeliverable copies to: Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) 3700 Steeles Avenue West, Suite 1100, Vaughan, ON L4L 8K8 PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 43526108

With so much action in the legislature recently, it’s hard to believe just months have passed since a new government took the reins at Queen’s Park. Since that time, the EDA has been monitoring government decisions closely, taking early action to position LDCs as valuable allies on affordability and reliability.

The EDA is establishing itself as the credible voice of the electricity distribution sector and a valuable resource on policymaking. Even before ministry offices were fully staffed, members of the Policy and Government Affairs team began meeting with new MPPs, ministers and staffers, keeping our Power of Local Hydro campaign front and centre and presenting specific bill reduction options.

Our messages around keeping customers first, cost savings and efficiency are resonating with the Premier’s office, the newly formed Red Tape Secretariat and the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines. We were pleased to learn that the government will continue the work of the OEB Modernization Review Panel, albeit with a narrower mandate. And with all the program cuts seen to date, LDCs have been kept whole.

Now that another set of elections is behind us, many of us will see new municipal officials on our boards. I encourage all members to continue to leverage the Power of Local Hydro campaign and its five key messages when speaking with board members, policymakers, stakeholders and customers: 1. Keep the customer first 2. Cut red tape and improve the regulatory framework 3. Drive local hydro innovation forward 4. Respect community decision-making 5. Expand local energy conservation This issue of The Distributor focuses specifically on keeping the customer first, a priority for all LDCs. We are all seeing residential, commercial and industrial customers demand greater value, efficiency and choice. We are all working hard to meet those demands with innovative ideas and new technologies.

In this issue, you will see examples of how LDCs are providing exceptional service and enhancing customer experiences. You will also find updates on the EDA’s latest advocacy activities, details about recent and upcoming EDA events, and news from members across the province.

The new provincial government has made its priorities clear: efficiency and cost savings rule the day. With many policy decisions yet to be made, the collective efforts of all EDA members are more important than ever. I look forward to your support and your involvement, as LDCs take an active role in shaping Ontario’s energy future.

Sincerely,

Brian Wilkie

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THE DISTRIBUTOR

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SECTOR SCAN

LDCs Connect with Officials at Power of Local Hydro Reception

In October, LDC members from across the province networked directly with ministers, MPPs, political staff and civil servants at the EDA’s Power of Local Hydro reception at Queen’s Park. Several members also seized the opportunity to meet privately during the day with MPPs representing their local ridings. Paul Calandra, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, delivered greetings on behalf of the Government of Ontario. “Your industry is one of the most important for our economy,” Mr. Calandra said. “Ontario needs to be open for business, and we cannot do that without you.” Through the EDA, LDCs are wellpositioned to provide the government with firsthand customer feedback and expert input on policy development. The EDA encourages all LDC members to reinforce the Power of Local Hydro, highlighting the value local hydro utilities bring to the communities they serve.

Essex Powerlines Donates 1,000 Trees

This year, Essex Powerlines launched its “Go Green Plant a Tree” campaign. The campaign encouraged customers to make the switch to paperless billing and, as an added green incentive, a tree would be planted in their municipality. “We are truly committed to making our communities greener together,” said Joe Barile, General Manager. As a result of the successful campaign, EPL employees got digging, helping to plant some of the 1,000 new trees in Amherstburg, Lasalle, Leamington and Tecumseh. A portion of the trees were donated to elementary schools in each municipality. Find out more at essexpowerlines.ca.

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EDA CEO Teresa Sarkesian at a Podium Near You The past few months have been busy ones for the EDA’s President and CEO, Teresa Sarkesian, who took to the podium at meetings of the Wasaga Beach Town Council, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Energy Advisory Council and the Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc. Board of Directors. In September, Teresa crisscrossed the province, speaking to the Erie-Thames Powerlines Board of Directors and taking part in all EDA District AGMs. In October, Teresa spoke at the EDA’s Queen’s Park Reception and the Power of Water Canada Conference. Follow us on Twitter @EDA_ONT and LinkedIn to find out where she will be next!

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SECTOR SCAN EDA Member Handbook Goes Digital

Through the EDA, Ontario LDCs, energy stakeholders, commercial enterprises and other partners can come together to explore business opportunities and contribute to a smarter electricity system. The EDA Member Handbook is a vital resource for fostering those connections. Published exclusively for members, the Member Handbook is now presented in a convenient, searchable e-book format. The 2018-2019 Member Handbook provides: • Contact details for all members • Quick connections to industry peers, prospects and potential partners • Details on EDA councils and committees • Information on EDA Districts • A snapshot of EDA events • And much more Members can access the new digital EDA Member Handbook anytime by logging in at eda-on.ca.

London Hydro: First to Receive Green Button CMD Certification

Easy access to standardized energy consumption and billing data is critical for commercial, industrial, and residential customers who are increasingly using the web and smart devices to manage their energy usage. As demand for access to energy data increases, customers and app developers are looking to utilities to provide trusted solutions. The Green Button Alliance’s new Green Button Connect My Data (CMD) Certification Program is the industry standard for secure access and sharing of energy usage data.

London Hydro’s cloud-based energy service platform is the industry’s first implementation to be certified Green Button CMD standards-compliant for energy and water utilities, which means London customers can leverage their data with confidence. For more information, visit londonhydro.com.

Site Seeing: EDA Tours Festival Hydro Storage Facility

This summer, the EDA team took a road trip to the City of Stratford to visit Festival Hydro’s battery storage facility in Wright Business Park, adjacent to its newly built transmission station. With a total capacity of 4.4 MW, the facility is the largest of its kind in Canada. It is also the first step toward building a microgrid, which can provide the community with more efficient, safer and cleaner energy. The vast facility is filled with rows upon rows of stacked batteries that act like sponges, “soaking up” energy that Festival can release back to the grid when needed. Through digital devices and processes, the utility can co-ordinate and precisely control power flows. The EDA congratulates Festival Hydro for pushing the boundaries, embracing innovative technology to meet customers’ needs for affordable energy and reliable system operations. Learn more at festivalhydro.com. www.eda.on.ca

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COVER

KEEPING THE CUSTOMER FIRST System Transformation Will Benefit Customers

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round the world, across all manner of industries, companies are leveraging groundbreaking technology to enhance efficiency, reduce costs and transform the way they do business. The electricity sector is part of this evolution.

New technologies, processes and services are opening up business opportunities for distributors and putting more choice and control in the hands of customers.

While transformation is often driven by new technologies, it is also about finding ways to maximize the value of existing infrastructure, while redefining how services are provided.

Uber is a well-recognized example. By giving customers more choice, flexibility and convenience, Uber has emerged as the largest provider of taxi services, without owning a single vehicle.

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LDCs are primed to follow the same path. In the years ahead, local hydro utilities are looking to distribute power in new ways that capitalize on new technology and maximize existing assets to meet evolving market demands. Given their established, trusted position as the customer-facing end of an increasingly complex electricity system, LDCs are ideally positioned to extend existing relationships and manage local energy services, while protecting customers’ privacy and overall interests.

Empowering Customers

As customers look to their local hydro utility for greater control over their electricity usage and bills, LDCs are seeking new ways to integrate distributed energy resources (DERs) within their service territories. LDCs recognize they can help meet THE DISTRIBUTOR

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COVER

growing consumer demands through increased adoption of DERs, including distributed generation resources, load control and other technologies, such as energy storage, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, fuel cells, demand response (DR), and conservation and demand management (CDM).

Power to Connect

In 2017, the EDA published a vision paper, Power to Connect: Advancing Customer-Driven Electricity Solutions for Ontario, outlining a robust vision for the role of LDCs within the electricity sector landscape of the future. The vision paper proposed a framework for LDC transformation through three dimensions: 1. Enabling DERs — given their operational and planning responsibilities, LDCs are central to enabling DERs. The LDC of the future will provide an integrated network in which DER third-party providers and customers can “plug and play.”

2. Integrating DERs — the future will see LDCs expand their business beyond traditional poles and wires. Strategic use of DERs could yield substantial infrastructure savings, dramatically enhance efficiency and empower LDCs to focus on new energy solutions, ideas and services.

3. Control and Operation of DERs — enabling LDCs to act as fully integrated network orchestrators (FINOs) is valuable to the provincial system and to all customers.

Supporting the Province

Ontario shares common goals with other jurisdictions: addressing climate change, enhancing efficiency conservation and easing cost pressures that can create barriers to economic prosperity. Over the years, Ontario has established itself as a committed player in pursuing conservation and greenhouse gas reduction. The degree to which the new government plans to maintain that commitment long-term remains to be seen. Right now, the Long-Term Energy Plan and the Conservation First Framework remain intact. By fostering and supporting a more efficient, distributed and intelligent electricity system, Ontario’s LDCs can better help the province meet its goals for a cleaner environment and keeping energy costs in check.

Developing a Roadmap

While LDCs are at the forefront of grid transformation, there are still many regulatory and legislative hurdles to overcome.

The path forward requires careful coordination with government, the IESO, the OEB and other stakeholders, such as municipal shareholders and partners. As the voice of Ontario’s LDCs, the EDA is working to provide valuable intelligence and strategic advice to help address current barriers to the advancement of LDCs as leaders in Ontario’s energy future.

Recognizing the need for guidance on these issues, the EDA created a robust roadmap for LDCs to become active facilitators in a transformed electricity market. Released earlier this year, Power to Connect: A Roadmap to a Brighter Ontario builds on the first Power to Connect vision paper by identifying potential barriers to success. The Roadmap identifies five key challenges, as well as nine high-level solutions over a 15-year timeline — concrete steps policymakers can take to best serve the interests of the sector and Ontario consumers. www.eda.on.ca

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COVER

Five Challenges

1. The needs for updated rules and provisions – for access to distribution systems, definition of additional DER services and limits with respect to distribution services.

2. The need for augmented distribution planning – to reflect the complexity of DERs and distributed system platforms (DSPs); to address uncertainty with respect to rate-basing DERs; updates to the RRFE scorecard; uncertainty with respect to smart grid deployment.

3. Uncoordinated, centralized procurement – limited consideration of local impacts; no specific obligation to serve load.

4. Misperception of LDC capabilities – LDCs are often perceived as not nimble enough or capable enough to innovate, which is not what the EDA has seen within its membership.

5. Pricing and rate design needs updating – current wholesale prices do not allow the full benefits of DERs to be realized; inefficient and non-transparent prices, ineffective rate design.

Nine Solutions

1. Level the playing field for DERs – LDCs should have an explicit obligation to plan for DERs in response to changing market conditions and customer requests. Within the current framework, it is unclear how DERs should be prioritized.

2. Improve the definition of DERs and services – while it may not be feasible to define every type of DER within regulations and codes, broader definition is required to accommodate technologies such as storage, EV charging infrastructure and others that are gaining traction in the market.

3. Allow LDCs to make investments in grid visibility – allow them to benefit fully from the value of DERs and ensure that DSPs are developed with greater certainty and prudence.

4. Enable LDC ownership of DERs – LDCs are currently restricted to owning projects 10 MW and less and to owning DERs in front of the meter.

5. Create guidelines for rate-basing of DERs and enabling assets – develop specific resource integration criteria to guide LDCs in the evaluation of DERs and DER-enabling assets.

6. Expand the role of LDCs within procurement – obtain LDC input to ensure DERs are located in areas that maximize value for customers.

7. Allow LDCs to control and operate DER assets – allow them to respond to IESO-led procurements for provincewide system reliability and also address local reliability within the distribution network.

8. Foster shared services among LDCs – LDCs differ widely in size and scale. For cost efficiency, many may seek to share services with other LDCs. 9. Develop locational marginal pricing + distribution benefits (LMP+D) – clear price signals will improve planning and help justify DER asset development.

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Meeting Customer Demands

The changing landscape means that all sector participants need to adopt new strategies to resolve challenges and position themselves for future growth. With the right regulatory framework in place, LDCs can operate more fully integrated energy networks, with two-way power flows that map to market demands.

Given this flexibility, LDCs could empower customers with innovative technologies, bringing them better value, convenience and choice. Business as usual is no longer an option for LDCs or for customers. As advanced technologies become more affordable and accessible, poles and wires alone will no longer provide the efficiency and flexibility to accommodate and meet customer expectations.

To learn more about the EDA’s perspectives on system transformation and the role of LDCs, visit eda-on.ca to download Power to Connect — A Roadmap to a Brighter Ontario.

PUTTING CUSTOMERS FIRST The EDA recognizes that LDCs want to become active facilitators in a transformed electricity market, one that puts customers first and maximizes the utilization and value of electricity assets. The solutions proposed by the EDA hold the promise of greater efficiency, enhanced reliability and lower costs: • Allowing LDCs to invest in non-wires alternatives gives them the flexibility to determine the best-suited, most cost-effective options to meet local needs.

• Improved deployment of DERs will provide customers with options to manage their electricity costs.

• More efficient prices and rates will incentivize investments and provide input into distribution system planning.

• Augmented planning will help ensure investments are right-sized to meet customers’ needs.

• Better alignment of procurement activities, more efficient use of resources and options for shared services could help reduce costs to customers overall.

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COVER

PUTTING THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE FIRST

ENHANCED DIGITAL RESOURCES AT WATERLOO NORTH HYDRO

By Kiel Edge

M

oving is stressful, but Waterloo North Hydro (WNH) has taken some stress out of the equation by introducing a number of online tools aimed at making customers’ lives easier. Through the revamping of its online tools and the introduction of new products, WNH is adapting to the changing needs of customers by providing all the information they need with the click of a button.

Better service, greater efficiency

WNH has a large student population, which leads to an influx of account transactions, including new account set ups, account closures, account moves, and a high volume of calls each spring and fall. In the past, providing these new customers with important account details, such as billing information, energy efficiency tips and payment options, often led to long phone conversations or visits to several sections of the corporate website.

In the Fall of 2017, WNH consolidated this information into a student-specific webpage. This page was designed to include all the information students need when setting up their account and preparing to pay their first bills. The new resource saves time for both students and WNH staff, as customers no longer need to call in to find information they may have missed during their initial account set ups.

To help spread awareness of this important resource, WNH’s Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) referred callers directly to the site. WNH’s social media channels also provided links to the new page several times a week during peak moving times.

Students are not the only new customers who need to find information, so in the Summer of 2018, WNH unveiled a New Customer Welcome Package. The 20-page booklet provides a visually-appealing overview of the services provided by WNH and highlights important information on rates, billing support programs, electrical safety tips, energy efficiency options and an explanation of online tools available to all customers. The Welcome Package is sent electronically to all new customers upon completion of their move request or new account set-up.

By making the Welcome Package available online, WNH is able to make changes to content as necessary, ensuring the resource remains up-to-date.

In the Summer of 2018, WNH revamped its online move request forms using new technology pioneered through its CIS development. The new forms allow customers to select information from drop down menus, such as their address, helping to eliminate data entry errors. The system also provides an automated confirmation once a form is completed. The automated process substantially decreases the processing time of each request and lowers the number of follow-up interactions required with customers.

“WNH takes pride in meeting the needs of our customers through innovation,” said Rene Gatien, WNH’s President and CEO. “Our improved tools lead to an improved online experience for our customers and has helped to provide them with a positive first interaction with us.”

The technology also allows WNH to automatically register new customers for its My Account online portal, as well as Electronic Billing. Customers previously had to wait until they received their first bill to take advantage of the benefits of the online portal, but system improvements allow for customers to receive their login details immediately upon completion of their move.

Through a commitment to streamlining its online experience, WNH has helped ease the stress of moving for customers across its service territory. With more changes planned for 2019, the organization continues to meet the evolving needs of its customers.

Kiel Edge is a Communications Specialist with Waterloo North Hydro Inc., which services more than 57,000 residential and business customers in the City of Waterloo and the Townships of Wellesley and Woolwich. For more information on WNH, its programs and services, visit www.wnhydro.com.

Serving customers through innovation

Consolidating key information for all new customers was a priority for WNH throughout 2017 and early 2018, and the organization also made improvements to its online tools. With the launch of its innovative JOMAR Customer Information System (CIS) in early 2017, WNH now has the ability to fully integrate online tools into its CIS.

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WNH’s new Welcome Package includes the information new customers need, from safety tips to managing their electricity consumption.

THE DISTRIBUTOR

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PUTTING CUSTOMER RESTORATION FIRST

Ottawa Hydro Acts Fast, Gets Lights Back on Across the Region

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ate Friday, September 21, powerful tornados, high winds and thunderstorms tore through the Ottawa region, leaving about half of Canada’s capital without power.

More than 174,000 Hydro Ottawa customers lost electricity, many for several days.

The damage was more profound and widespread than any other storm in the Ottawa area in the last decade. More than 150 homes and buildings were decimated. Both the local and provincial grids saw significant damage — the worst, according to officials, since the 1998 ice storm.

Hydro Ottawa mobilized rapidly, dispatching all available crews and contractors to address significant substation damage, remove felled trees and repair dangerous downed lines.

Restoration teams worked around the clock for days, while head office staff put in long hours, fielding calls and keeping customers up to date on progress.

In a strong show of the Power of Local Hydro, several utilities from around the province quickly deployed their skilled crews to help with restoration efforts. Within five days, all homes in the region had their lights back on.

“On behalf of Hydro Ottawa, I would like to thank the crews for answering our call for assistance. These events are a great reminder of how supportive our industry is, and we are so appreciative for the support,” said Bryce Conrad, President and Chief Executive Officer. On behalf of all members, the EDA thanks the dedicated crews that provided invaluable assistance in restoring power to families and businesses in this time of unforeseen crisis.

In a press release, Hydro Ottawa thanked customers for their support and understanding throughout the clean-up effort. The EDA congratulates Hydro Ottawa for springing into action, demonstrating an exceptional commitment to customer care.

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COVER

VISION CRITICAL:

WHAT ONTARIO LDCS CAN LEARN FROM DOWN UNDER

By Sue Forcier

I

n March of this year, I was honoured to receive the Foreign Study Tour Award at the EDA Awards Gala. This generous award funded my attendance at the 25th anniversary Energy Networks Australia 2018 Conference, “Vision Critical,” in Sydney. This international conference attracted more than 900 delegates — speakers, exhibitors and attendees in our field from across the globe. The diverse range of speakers included Australia’s Minister of Energy, as well as communicators, marketers and engineers from the UK, New Zealand and the United States, providing guidance on how we can best seize innovative opportunities and continue to deliver value for our customers.

Energy Networks Australia is the national body representing gas distribution, as well as electricity transmission and distribution businesses throughout the country — 25 companies in total. This year’s Energy Networks conference featured six plenary sessions with expert national and international panellists addressing customer experience, lessons learned from energy projects, the future of the energy system and the growth of new technologies. A series of concurrent sessions and operational forums explored wide-ranging issues, including cybersecurity, microgrids, vegetation management and customer and stakeholder engagement.

The former premier of Tasmania, David Barlett, an innovation and disruption visionary, delivered the conference’s “Vision Critical” address. He encouraged wires companies, known Down Under as energy networks, to better understand consumers, since the ability to predict behaviours and patterns early is crucial to anticipating market opportunities. He also addressed the need for tailored, flexible and responsive energy solutions that integrate technological advances. He stressed that collaboration and partnerships with other industries are a must to deliver advanced energy services to the customer.

As I absorbed the copious information at this conference, I was reminded that we must learn from our experience with disrupters such as Uber and AirBNB. LDCs cannot be complacent, if we are to be the orchestrators of customers’ energy needs.

Australia’s electricity industry

I was surprised to learn that Australia restructured its electricity industry in the 1990s, including: • introducing competition; • unbundling electricity industry functions; • reorganizing the electricity market; • separating network charges;

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• privatizing electricity businesses in some states; and • formalizing electricity industry regulation.

Although the energy sector has evolved dramatically in Australia, just 25 energy networks supply gas and electricity to virtually every household nationwide, as well as businesses large and small across the whole economy. These energy networks are pure wires or pipeline companies, with no direct connection to end-users.

The direct connection is maintained by energy retailers that bill the end-user.

Renewables integration

At the same time, market evolution has created new opportunities for energy network companies, and their role will become ever more critical, as Australia increases integration of renewables into its grid. The generation sector has already started its transformation from a coal-based fleet to one powered primarily by renewables.

Australians also embrace household solar like no other country on earth. In the northeastern state of Queensland, more than 32 per cent of homes have a photovoltaic (PV) system. In South Australia it is above 30 per cent, West Australia more than 25 per cent and in New South Wales 17 per cent and growing fast.

To put these figures into perspective, sun-drenched Hawaii and California, jurisdictions viewed widely as global renewables leaders, both sit at only about 20 per cent PV adoption.

Until now, Australia’s energy networks have done a remarkable job of soaking up solar generation and managing the growing two-way flows. But parts of the network already can’t handle any more solar. Some companies are predicting a real problem managing the security and reliability of the system. With this challenge in mind, Energy Networks Australia is working in partnership with the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMO) to develop Open Energy Networks to deliver optimal value for those who have solar and storage — and those who do not.

The customer relationship

Energy Networks Australia is missing one important puzzle piece: consumer trust. Since most energy networks do not bill the customer directly, they are unable to form relationships with consumers.

Moreover, since the advent of competition, customers throughout Australia have had the ability to choose their energy retailer. Onus is on customers to make educated choices that best suit their needs. The process sounds ideal; however, energy prices THE DISTRIBUTOR

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in this market are rising faster than inflation, causing customers to question the value they are getting — a clear disadvantage to the energy networks.

Ontario’s LDCs are in a superior position because we have a direct relationship with our customers and a well-established track record as trusted advisors. Collaboration, innovation and partnerships with our customers are key for bold ideas to reach fruition. Ontario LDCs must ensure that our innovative work, regardless of where it sits in within the business, is aimed squarely at improving customer value.

Key takeaways from “Vision Critical”

The conference confirmed several key messages for Ontario’s LDCs: 1) Tailored, flexible, responsive energy solutions that integrate technological advances are critical to the success of our industry.

2) Collaboration and partnerships are a must.

3) A fully decentralized grid is not in customers’ best interests.

A balance of centralized and decentralized services is needed to provide optimal customer choice and costeffectiveness.

“Vision Critical” 2018 provided a valuable platform for discussion about how to navigate system transformation.

Ontario LDCs are well positioned to take a leadership role. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel. We can learn from the experiences of others, such as our counterparts in Australia, build on our own experience and create a positive future for ourselves and for our customers.

Sue Forcier is the Chief Conservation Officer at Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc. (NPEI). She has shared her industry expertise and insights by serving on numerous EDA Councils. She can be reached at Sue.forcier@npei.ca.

THE EDA FOREIGN STUDY TOUR AWARD

The Foreign Study Tour Award is presented to an employee of an EDA LDC member in recognition of his or her efforts and contributions to the industry through a high level of participation on EDA councils, committees and working groups.

The award provides for travel to an event or series of events that facilitate industry connections and learning opportunities. Learnings are shared with the LDC community in Ontario.

The Foreign Study Tour Award is part of a complete roster of awards presented by the EDA each year. This award is presented in memory of W.R. Mathieson, who served as general manager of the Association of Municipal Electrical Utilities of Ontario (AMEU), contributing to the municipal distribution system in the province for over 34 years.

For more information on the Foreign Study Tour Award and all other EDA Awards, visit www.eda-on.ca or contact Derek Nardone, Manager, Corporate and Government Affairs, at dnardone@eda-on.ca or (905) 265-5348.

ADVOCACY IN ACTION

POSITIONING THE EDA, PROMOTING LDCS

A

s predicted, the new government moved quickly, with early legislative sessions that included key pieces of legislation to deliver on platform commitments. After calling off cap-and-trade and putting an end to GreenON programs, Premier Ford quickly made good on his pledge to replace the board and CEO at Hydro One, cancel hundreds of renewable new generation contracts and replace the Green Energy Act. The government now remains focused on delivering on the promise of an additional 12 per cent electricity bill reduction for residential consumers.

EDA action

The EDA team responded quickly, engaging in multiple meetings with staff in the Premier’s and Energy Minister’s office, as well as Deputy Ministers at Energy and the Red Tape Secretariat, to position the EDA as the credible voice of the LDC sector and to promote LDCs as key allies on cost efficiency. By July, the team had developed 13 recommendations to help the government realize the 12 per cent savings and tabled these to political officials.

Red tape reduction

The EDA also advocated for continuation of the OEB Modernization Review Panel, which will move forward. This important work can help reduce costs and create a more flexible regulatory framework that enables the EDA’s vision for a transformed energy system in which LDCs play a central role.

The newly formed Red Tape Secretariat will extend its mandate to the government’s agencies, boards and commissions. We have also heard a strong message from government that electricity prices are a barrier to Ontario businesses. We anticipate new announcements to address this issue.

Leadership on conservation

While quick program cuts could be interpreted as a signal that conservation funding is at risk, the Long-Term Energy Plan and Conservation First Framework (CFF) remain intact. The EDA is working actively to promote LDCs as key players to deliver on conservation beyond 2020.

The recent IESO reports outlining LDCs’ exceptional performance on CFF targets is an important proof point. Just over halfway past the midway point of the CFF, LDCs have already achieved 69 per cent of their target, at the lowest cost on record. This significant accomplishment shows the strength of LDCs in delivering on provincial commitments and serving customer needs efficiently and cost effectively.

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Government officials have indicated openness to recommendations from the EDA on the future of CDM. EDA staff is working with the Conservation and Sustainability Issues Council to develop a go-forward plan.

The Green Energy Act

Anticipating the government’s move to scrap the GEA, the EDA began working on this file over the summer. The EDA advocated to ensure LDC business interests would be protected. We are pleased to see that Bill 34, Green Energy Repeal Act, 2018 does just that. At a high level, preserving LDC gains to date on conservation mandates and the ability for LDCs to own and operate renewable generation and energy storage facilities remain top priorities.

Next steps

In the near term, the EDA is continuing to meet with government officials and stakeholders to discuss the Power of Local Hydro campaign, regulatory reform, conservation and the Roadmap for empowering LDCs to enable, integrate and control DERs. Long-term, the EDA is working to highlight the LDC sector as a key resource to deliver affordable, efficient, customer-focused energy solutions this government is looking for.

EDA PRIORITY ISSUES • Power of Local Hydro — positioning and promoting LDCs as key allies on affordability • Regulatory modernization — ensuring greater flexibility for LDCs • C onservation — promoting continued LDC leadership • Market renewal — working with IESO to overcome acknowledged market inefficiencies • Electrification — promoting transit investment, GhG reduction and business opportunities for LDCs • Roadmap for system transformation — realizing the EDA vision of LDCs becoming fully integrated network orchestrators

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FALL 2018

ADVOCACY IN ACTION

NEW EDA COMMITTEE TO ADDRESS MRP ISSUES

GET INVOLVED, STAY INVOLVED: POWER OF LOCAL HYDRO

The EDA is continuing to promote the Power of Local Hydro, our effective public and government relations campaign. With many new faces at Queen’s Park, the EDA team is also continuing to reach out to elected officials and ministry staff to advance our key campaign messages: 1) Keep the customer first 2) Cut red tape 3) Drive local hydro innovation forward 4) Respect community decision making 5) Expand local energy conservation All members are encouraged to use these messages to speak to their local MPPs and newly elected municipal officials about the value and importance of local hydro. Visit PowerofLocalHydro.ca for a deeper dive into the EDA’s recommendations, policy papers and a detailed downloadable campaign user guide. You can also see all the latest updates on high-value initiatives Ontario LDCs are undertaking to deliver exceptional value and customer experiences.

If you haven’t done so already, send us your stories, photos and videos demonstrating how your LDC is acting on Power of Local Hydro policy priorities, including innovation and keeping the customer first. Be sure to follow the EDA and take part in the discussion on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Log into www.eda-on.ca to download your Power of Local Hydro Campaign User Guide.

Learn more For more information on EDA advocacy, policy development, councils and committees, please contact Justin Rangooni, Vice President, Policy and Government Affairs at jrangooni@eda-on.ca.

www.eda.on.ca

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FALL 2018

The IESO’s Market Renewal Program (MRP) aims to overcome acknowledged market inefficiencies that place artificial upward pressure on commodity prices. The IESO has organized four MRP work streams that will ultimately result in changes to the energy market and establishment of an IESO-administered capacity market.

The EDA maintains a strong working relationship with the IESO. We have been working with Power Advisory Group LLC to deliver detailed biweekly MRP Updates to LDC members.

All MRP Update reports are available to LDC members at www.eda-on.ca.

The EDA has now launched an MRP Committee to help members assess distribution-related MRP issues as they emerge and evolve. The member-driven MRP Committee is meeting monthly to review, analyze and report on issues of importance to members.

ADVOCATING FOR ELECTRIFICATION Given the vital importance of electric vehicles (EVs) for LDCs, the EDA is ramping up its advocacy activities around electrification, starting with the launch of a strategic subcommittee focused exclusively on EV-related issues.

The Premier has maintained that transit investments and climate change mitigation remain significant priorities.

Advocating for electrification not only advances an important business goal for LDCs but also intersects with the government’s goals for transit enhancement and greenhouse gas reduction.

Reporting to the Operations and Engineering Council, the EV Subcommittee provides: • strategic subject matter support for EDA advocacy on EV issues; • expert input into EV-related policy submissions; • guidance on EV-related themes identified in the LTEP (residential charging solutions, data sharing, etc.); • advice on evolving EV legislation and regulations (e.g., Building Code and Condo Act amendments); • input into a long-term EDA strategy for EVs/electrification.

The EDA is also collaborating with stakeholders to ensure the federal Clean Fuel Standard allows for utilities to collect credits to reinvest in EV charging infrastructure and customer education.

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LDC INNOVATORS

HYDRO OTTAWA REDUCES COSTS, MAXIMIZES CONTROL WITH OWNED FIBER LINES

New Fiber Lines are 1,000 Times Faster than Leased Legacy Lines

By Kara Kuryllowicz

S

tate-of-the-art technology is at the heart of the advanced telecommunications systems that gives Hydro Ottawa the timely, accurate data required to maximize efficiency, productivity and performance.

“Ultimately, everything we do is about improving our service and restoration for our customers, and we need an extremely efficient telecom infrastructure to make that happen,” says Louis Voisine, Grid Technology Manager with Hydro Ottawa, which serves approximately 328,000 residential and commercial customers across 1,100 square kilometres. “The more automation and information you have, the faster you’ll restore power, and the happier your customers will be.”

Hydro Ottawa is committed to the smart grid, automation and remotely accessing data to reduce costs and improve service to its customers. “In each of the 30 years since we started automating, our performance numbers have improved, with our outage duration decreasing consistently,” says Voisine.

Hydro Ottawa had been leasing fiber optic cables from third parties since the 1990s. During its business evaluation, the company recognized that installing its own fiber optic infrastructure would be more cost effective over time.

In 2016, Hydro Ottawa began installing the fiber optic cables it needed to carry vital distribution system data. While cost proved to be a primary driver, Hydro Ottawa also preferred to selfmanage its bandwidth. The result was more secure data and a higher level of control.

“We’re far better off building owned infrastructure, capitalizing that asset and running our own systems than incurring costs that come off the bottom line,” says Voisine. “Our leased lines could not keep up with the demands of a modern SCADA system, the new metering infrastructure, security cameras and more.”

How much faster is the new technology? Compare the dial-up modems that Canadians relied on in the 1990s to the speed we take for granted today. Those legacy networks ran 9,600 bits per second, while the current networks carry about 1,000,000 bits per second.

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Whenever possible, Hydro Ottawa will use its own poles and underground infrastructure to install most of its fiber cable. In some locations this may not be possible due to congestion.

Fiber technology and associated costs have improved over the years. Installing cables with more fiber strands than are required has become the norm. “In 2018, you’re getting 12 times as many fibers at half the cost,” says Voisine.

An Intergraph G/Technology user and Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure customer since 2003, Voisine and Hydro Ottawa knew the location-based technology and its capabilities intimately. Intergraph G/Technology Fiber Optics Works (FOW) was the logical choice to manage Hydro Ottawa’s new fiber optic and telecom systems.

In 2016, Hydro Ottawa added FOW to help manage its new telecom network from the enterprise, through the back office and into the field. FOW’s ability to maintain extensive attribution about each fiber device and conductor, to track connectivity and to share this information with all Hydro Ottawa users and systems was highly desirable. FOW also helps plan, connect and deploy fiber networks and supports full tracing capabilities, fault analysis and path redundancy. In addition, it assesses, manages and tracks the status of projects, equipment and connections.

“The ability to do all of the splicing, track those splices and determine which services are connected to which fiber within a single tool is invaluable,” says Voisine.

While working with the legacy telecom network that manually documented the connections at each splice or device, Voisine was aware of the massive amount of effort required to track and maintain this information in spreadsheets. “FOW is simple and provides immediate access to the many reports we need to satisfy various departments,” says Voisine.

Since the front-end GIS operators are more concerned with the cables’ geography, they interact primarily with G/Technology, while the telecom technicians who look after the connections rely exclusively on the FOW module. Overall, employees’ transition to FOW was incredibly intuitive, mainly because it is an extension of G/Technology. With just a half-day of training, they were able to embrace the FOW features that were new to them.

While Ottawa Hydro is an existing G/Technology customer, FOW’s capabilities and features work independently and will benefit the many utilities that need to document the connections at each splice or device. “For me, the power of FOW is all about the back end, where I can track splices, equipment, connections and circuits,” says Voisine. “That’s where FOW makes a big difference to me and would prove relevant to any utility.”

Kara Kuryllowicz is a Contributing Writer at Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure. For more information on Hexagon, visit www.hexagonsafetyinfrastructure.com.

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FALL 2018

LDC INNOVATORS

VERIDIAN CONNECTIONS:

TURNING ROOFTOP REAL ESTATE INTO CLEAN ENERGY Innovation is not only top of mind, but also atop a building in Cobourg, Ontario. Venture13, The Town of Cobourg’s new innovation and entrepreneurship centre, is transforming the unused space on its rooftop by installing a solar panel array to provide more than 30 per cent of the energy required for the building.

I

n 2017, the Town of Cobourg transformed a municipallyowned post-war brick building that originally served as the headquarters of No. 26 Ordnance Depot of the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps. After years sitting under-utilized and mostly empty, the 30,000-square-foot space is now a thriving hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, bringing together a network of advisors, mentors and leaders to advance entrepreneurship and innovation in Northumberland and the Eastern Ontario corridor.

Through an innovative partnership between Lakefront Utilities Services, Veridian Connections and Solera Sustainable Energies Company, Venture13 should see a significant reduction in both electricity costs and emissions. Once completed, the low-profile, rooftop-mounted solar panels will be “virtually invisible,” explained Solera President and Founder Leonard Allen, in a submission to the Town Council.

The 380-panel array is expected to generate about

150,000-kilowatt hours of clean, carbon-free electricity annually, a portion of which will benefit the Town. With a focus on future technology integration, Venture13 also offers a solar-powered electric vehicle charging station. In addition, the project is designed to incorporate energy storage and create a micro-grid.

“I can’t think of a better application than Venture13 because it’s all about innovation and new technology,” says Cobourg’s Mayor, Gil Brocanier.

Veridian Connections is responsible for the safe, reliable delivery of electricity to more than 121,000 residential and business customers in the cities of Belleville and Pickering, the towns of Ajax and Gravenhurst, the Municipality of Port Hope, and the communities of Beaverton, Bowmanville, Cannington, Newcastle, Orono, Port Perry, Sunderland and Uxbridge. Learn more at www.veridian.on.ca.

Powering the future, today KPMG has built one of Canada’s largest Power & Utilities practices to provide audit, tax, infrastructure development and financing, and strategy and operations advice to developers, companies, investors, and stakeholders across the industry.

Augusto Patmore Tony Hamer Michel Picard GTA Energy Leader Partner, Mgmt Consulting Partner, Audit E: apatmore@kpmg.ca E: mpicard@kpmg.ca E: achamer@kpmg.ca © 2018 KPMG LLP, a Canadian limited liability partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. 19717

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FALL 2018

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COMMERCIAL SUCCESS

ENERGY INSIDER:

TERESA SARKESIAN

Recently, Energy Insider spoke with the EDA’s President & CEO, Teresa Sarkesian.

In her interview, Teresa discussed her career journey, key priorities for the energy sector today, and how women — and all executives — can progress in this industry and beyond.

By Corinne Kennedy & Zoë Thoms EI: How did you get involved in the energy sector?

TS: I joke that I got involved in the energy sector by accident.

When I joined the sector in 2009, I had worked for almost 20 years for a range of employers, including the provincial government, a lobbying firm and another association, in the manufacturing sector.

The 2008 economic crisis had a significant impact on my association. They restructured, which left me with no opportunity for career advancement. As I am a big believer in driving your own career, I started looking around for interesting opportunities. A friend saw a posting for the role of VP of Government and Member Affairs at the EDA and thought it would be perfect for me. It was, except I didn’t know anything about energy.

I did my research, looked at the issues and started monitoring media on energy. I thought it would be a great sector to work in. I was very upfront in my cover letter that I had mastered six out of seven of the key qualifications, but I had little knowledge about the sector. I also said I was a quick study and had the evidence to prove it. I got the job. It has been an exciting place to work. I held several positions here prior to becoming President and CEO in early 2016.

EI: What are the industry’s and EDA’s key challenges are going forward?

TS: The energy sector is undergoing significant transformation, as we move towards more decentralized generation and decarbonisation. We want a model that is flexible to accommodate more distributed energy resources (DERs) and to support the data communications that will be needed to create more visibility into the customer’s generation. To be effective in the future, we will need partnerships with customers and the private sector and shared services among utilities. On the technical side, we will need greater emphasis on cybersecurity to protect the system and customer privacy.

The EDA has set out its priorities in two policy papers. The first, “Power to Connect — Advancing Customer-Driven Electricity Solutions for Ontario,” contemplates LDCs playing a central role in the integration of DERs to the grid, with LDCs ultimately becoming fully integrated network orchestrators. Our follow-up paper, “Power to Connect — A

24

Roadmap to a Brighter Ontario,” identifies barriers to achieving that fully integrated network orchestrator status.

More importantly, it proposes solutions.

Another area of interest is regulatory reform. Prior to the provincial election, we encouraged all parties to carry forward with the Ontario Energy Board Modernization Review Panel initiative. A lot of good work has already been done with stakeholder consultations. There will be a lot of good recommendations, to modernize the regulatory framework and enable innovation.

Another area of significant interest for us is conservation, which is a very effective and inexpensive form of supply. At the mid-way point in Ontario’s Conservation First Framework, LDCs have achieved 69 per cent of provincial targets. We’re looking to see a successful conclusion of that framework and planning for a post-2020 framework.

Electrification of transit is also very important. The market is moving in that direction, and we see a great opportunity for the Province to enable the lower carbon economy and to create policy constructs that will support electrification.

We also have a campaign called Power of Local Hydro, made up of five key policy pillars: keep the customer first; cut red tape; drive local hydro innovation; respect community decisionmaking; and expand local energy conservation. Before the election, we used the campaign to promote awareness around the sector. We are continuing it post-election to inform all MPPs about the sector.

EI: Do you have any thoughts on the challenges and opportunities for women leaders in the sector?

TS: One of the biggest challenges is to carve out time in your schedule every week to think about strategy development and problem solving. Leaders need to regularly book this time in their calendar to have the freedom to think through critical issues and strategy on a continued basis.

As women advance in their careers, they should look at opportunities for executive coaching. I have personally had the benefit of executive coaching at the EDA. The Board made that investment in me, and it surpassed all the professional development training I’ve had in my career. It raises your self-awareness about attitudes and behaviours that can be THE DISTRIBUTOR

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FALL 2018

COMMERCIAL SUCCESS advantageous in your leadership and highlights attributes to be consciously mitigated.

Women leaders need to make sure they have a well-rounded skill set to be considered for senior positions. If you are missing operational experience, seek out internal opportunities for more exposure, whether you can lead a division, a team or a project. You have to look for these opportunities in your company or consider making a lateral move elsewhere to get that experience.

Also, financial literacy is critical at a senior level. You either have to obtain that literacy through formal training or on-the-job experience. As you advance in your career, there are fewer female role models to look to, so it’s important to build and maintain an extensive network of people you can go to, male and female, for advice and ideas. If you have the opportunity, get involved in mentorship programs or find an informal mentor.

Finally, make sure you have supporters in your personal life.

When you are moving to executive levels, there is a lot of pressure. You sacrifice a lot of personal time because that’s what you sign up to do. You need to have supporters to help revive and recharge you. My spouse, who is very supportive, has an awesome sense of humour — he makes me laugh every single night when I come home from work. That is the best stress relief.

EI: What is your advice for a woman starting her career in the energy sector?

TS: It’s a very exciting time to join the sector because we are on the brink of massive change. There are lots of opportunities to problem solve, shape new legislation and get in on the ground of new technological innovations and partnerships.

Given this context, I have a few suggestions: • Never stop learning. Take all the opportunities for training, whether informal with peers or supervisors or formal professional development courses.

• Know your company. Ensure you really understand corporate targets and other performance indicators. Be current about your company, competitors and the sector. Some people get caught up in their own job and forget the purpose is to support the whole organization.

• Embrace new challenges. If you want to get noticed in an organization, volunteer for a new project or solve a problem.

Live beyond your job description and demonstrate that you’re open and available for new challenges, even if that means you have to work late or work with colleagues you don’t like. That’s life, and that’s how you’re going to get ahead.

• Seek out mentors. Larger companies may offer mentorship programs to help young people formally map out their career plan. Industry associations, like Electricity Human Resources Council, have formal programs to help you access mentors across the country.

• Develop your written and verbal communication skills.

Learning how to present effectively and persuasively will help you in the short-term, as well as in the long run when you’re looking for that big promotion.

• Demonstrate your strategic value. You always want to identify your unique value proposition. This may be hard to do when you first start, but as you develop your skills and have demonstrated results, start bringing those results to the table.

This approach requires a lot of self-awareness and learning about the priorities and objectives of the company.

This Energy Insider interview with Teresa Sarkesian was originally published September 7, 2018, as part of the Powerful Women series at www.energyinsider.ca, the energy practice blog of Aird & Berlis (A&B). Corinne Kennedy is a Partner; Zoë Thoms is an Associate, both in A&B’s Energy Group. Teresa Sarkesian can be reached at tsarkesian@eda-on.ca.

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FALL 2018

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CONNECT EVENTS

GUESTS SEE STATE-OF-THE-ART PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AT CUEE 2018

Outdoor exhibits at CUEE 2018 feature some of the top equipment specialists from across the electricity sector, showcasing their latest products.

More than 2,500 line workers, engineers, procurement specialists and more got a close look at the latest and greatest equipment, tools and products for the utility sector at the EDA’s biennial Canadian Utilities Equipment & Engineering trade show (CUEE) in September. Many thanks to our valued CUEE 2018 Sponsors IHSA, HCE Telecom, Hilti, Jomar Innovative Software and Trayer Engineering for their support in showcasing the newest industry innovations and technologies.

The EDA’s CUEE Tradeshow and Exhibition showcases more than 200 indoor and outdoor exhibitors visited by more than 2,500 guests at the International Centre in Mississauga.

EDA CEO Teresa Sarkesian learns about services available from Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA), a proud sponsor of CUEE 2018.

A big thanks to CUEE 2018 sponsor HCE Telecom.

EDA CEO Teresa Sarkesian checks out the latest construction tools and solutions from Hilti, one of our valued CUEE 2018 sponsors.

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John Blasman and Mark Blasman from Jomar Innovative Software, a CUEE 2018 sponsor, discuss their state-of-the-art solutions with EDA CEO Teresa Sarkesian.

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FALL 2018

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This industry-recognized, university-accredited director certification program provides the knowledge and insight necessary to drive value as an effective board member. Partnering with The Directors College, this program has been customized to the unique requirements of the energy sector.

Successful graduates of this program benefit from access to additional resources through The Directors College and The Conference Board of Canada. Resources include research papers, conferences, the alumni network and webinars, such as: Building a Cyber Savvy Board – Webinar, February 2018 Cybersecurity continues to hit the headlines across the globe, affecting a range of organizations. During this webinar, Dr. Kabilan outlines six key insights for building a cyber savvy board.

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CONNECT EVENTS

EDA TEAM MAKES THE ROUNDS Spending time with members in their home communities is critical to understanding their business, their challenges and their interests. In recent months, EDA staff took part in several EDA member golf tournaments and all EDA District AGMs.

Dan Pastoric, VP, Strategic Growth and Special Projects, takes EDA around the course at the Alectra Utilities Annual Charity Golf Tournament.

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EDA Chair Brian Wilkie and NPEI’s Sean Perry host the EDA team and Chris Wray, Enbridge, at the Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc. Annual Golf Tournament.

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FALL 2018

CONNECT EVENTS

New Year, New Ideas: EDIST 2019

Niagara Grand District AGM — EDA CEO Teresa Sarkesian with Niagara Grand District Chair Wilf Meston (right) and Vice Chair Wayne Dyce

Planning for the EDA’s 2019 CON::NECT Event Series is already well underway. We are pleased to launch the coming year’s series with our highly anticipated Electricity Distribution, Information Systems and Technology (EDIST) Conference and Exhibition, January 16-18, 2019, in Markham, Ontario. This two-and-a-half-day educational conference brings together key industry thought leaders and decision makers to explore the latest issues and advances in engineering, operations, IT and management within Ontario’s LDC community. Suppliers, manufacturers and service providers will also be on hand with interactive, informative exhibits that showcase leading-edge products and services for the sector. EDIST 2019 will focus on the theme of “Powering Innovation Forward.”

REGISTER NOW: What: EDIST 2019 Why: network with peers, learn from leaders, share ideas and connect with leading suppliers Who: executives and senior management in IT, engineering, operations, finance and administration When: January 16-18, 2019 Where: Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre & Spa, Markham, ON

Northeastern/Northwestern Districts Joint AGM, hosted by Thunder Bay Hydro.

Visit eda-connect.ca for complete event details and registration. We look forward to seeing you at EDIST 2019!

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Upper Canada/Georgian Bay AGM — EDA Chair Brian Wilkie, CEO Teresa Sarkesian, Georgian Bay Board Rep Ruth Tyrrell, guest speaker Steve Paikin

Western District AGM — EDA CEO Teresa Sarkesian with Western District Chair Chris White (right) and Board Representative Ray Tracey

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