Jan Dressel, President and CEO of Soventix Canada and Janeen Stodulski, President and CEO of PowerWatch tackled the issue of smarter power at the 8th Annual Ontario Economic Summit.

Mr. Dressel discussed the challenges of delivering smarter energy sources into Canadian homes. He identified infrastructure as the major impediment to the widespread use of alternative energy. He cited the introduction of the Smart Grid, a system that enables communication with technological devices, as an example of an innovative device that has the potential to overcome energy distribution challenges.

Ms. Stodulski emphasized consumer education as the pathway to energy conservation. According to Ms. Stodulski, the key to lowering energy consumption is education. She discussed the challenge of getting the Canadian market to buy into this idea. In contrast, India and Europe saw the advantages of monitoring individual energy use as a means of reducing energy waste. “We need to be better, smarter and more economical,” said Ms. Stodulski.

She acknowledged the province of Ontario as trendsetters in development, but noted our consumers are hesitant to buy into innovative technologies.

However, to fully integrate support for the green movement, cooperation is needed between business, government and public. Business brings about innovation and the government supports it through legislation and stable policies, thereby encouraging greater public usage of green energy.

Premier Dalton McGuinty and Toronto Star Publisher, John Cruickshank sat down for a conversation on the final day of the 8th Annual Ontario Economic Summit.

Premier McGuinty began the conversation by addressing the current economic crisis in Europe and the United States. When asked about cut backs by Cruickshank, he answered that instead of cutbacks, his government will be implementing reforms.

McGuinty maintained his stance on the importance of health care and education. He discussed the need to adopt new innovations in health care. This included using smart phones, telephone calls to Doctors, house calls and the introduction of a healthy home innovation tax credit that will benefit seniors and provide accessibility in their own homes.

The Premier expressed that Ontario is a province of manufacturing and innovation, pointing specifically to cars and the BlackBerry.

His cabinet aims to increase the evolution of green cars, create an infrastructure for them and commit to their innovation. The prices of renewable energy sources are currently decreasing and proving a cost effective, innovative and productive alternative.

The innovation of Ontario and of its young people was highlighted during the ‘In Conversation’.

The Premier believes that a commitment to renewable technologies needs to be made. Sharing optimism for the future of Ontario, Premier McGuinty said, “We know where the world is going to go and we can either follow or lead, and Ontario is choosing to lead.”

PC Leader Tim Hudak and NDP Leader Andrea Horwath also spoke at the 8th Annual Ontario Economic Summit.

The third and final day of the 8th Annual Ontario Economic Summit opened with a keynote address by Stephen Snyder, President and CEO of TransAlta Corporation, who discussed the balance needed between providing a stable supply of energy and addressing environmental concerns.

Mr. Synder stated that the availability of reliable, low cost electricity is one of the biggest drivers for economic health and wealth.

Ontario’s main electricity challenges focus around keeping up with an increased demand for service, while trying to account for the environmental impact of CO2 emissions. Mr. Snyder advocates a four-step action plan to address these concerns. “No single fuel source can provide the silver bullet solution to the province’s electricity needs,” he said.

He calls for a portfolio approach, whereby diversification to a wide range of energy sources (including wind, solar, coal, geothermal and natural gas) creates a balance that allows the electricity industry to not be dependent on one source, while guaranteeing improved service levels. The phasing out of coal as an energy source, he adds, is the largest single change in the province’s energy history.

Technological innovation, according to Mr. Snyder, paves the way to the future with CO2 capture and reduction leading the way. He expresses his desire for Canada to be a leader into the research and development of new energy solutions, with a global focus.

Mr. Synder also stresses the importance of a stable government policy and the need for all stakeholders (community, government and industry) to work together for efficient change, stating “we need to move from confrontation to cooperation.”

The Matters of Opinion discussion, ‘Mitigating Increasing Energy Costs’ featured Tyler Elm, Vice-President of Business Sustainability, Corporate Strategy and Business Development for Canadian Tire and James Eddy, General Manager of Energy at Vale.

The session, held at the 8th Annual Ontario Economic Summit, showcased what each company is doing to reduce their respective ecological footprints.

Mr. Elm highlighted Canadian Tire’s competitive strategy for business sustainability, which has a significant energy element. He stated that their energy footprint is made up of 76% from their products, 15% from transport, with the remainder from their operation buildings and distribution centres. Elm also showcased their creation of recycled car mats from scrap tires that are produced in Ontario—their part in reducing the waste stream in the region.

Canadian Tire’s business sustainability solutions include right-sizing packages, reducing damages from handling, retrofitting technologies, using energy efficient lighting and integrating distribution with rail.

Mr. Eddy called Vale’s strategies a competitive advantage. “To essentially stay in business it is about competing now, and in the future, because no one is standing still,” said Mr. Eddy. By being innovative with their energy strategies, he estimated that the company could stay in business for another 50 years.

Vale hopes to be at 40% of its current energy consumption by 2040. They hope to accomplish this through the help of partnerships like academia, industry, energy, supply chain partners, and regulatory authorities.

Vale has made commitments to be more energy efficient by using ventilation on demand in their mines.

Following Roland Aurich’s presentation at the 8th Annual Ontario Economic Summit, a panel on urban sustainability discussed water as a key asset, allocation of funds and its representation in politics. The panelists included Laurent Auguste, Angus Toulouse, Fred Eisenberger, and Frances Lankin.

Mr. Auguste stated that water will be a key asset going forward with the number of  middle class people in the world climbing to three billion over the next 20 years. He ensured delegates this will be an opportunity but many challenges also come from this as it puts pressure on natural resources. He insisted it takes much vision and strategy to be on top of the issue.

Ms. Lankin acknowledged the investment in infrastructure, arts and culture and new technology jobs, but noted that if our cities are to be safe and secure and attract new investment, we have to have cities that are inclusive and a place for all.

Mr. Eisenberg stated that the funding formula is quite ‘messed up’. He went on to say cities are the largest expense in the country and they should start making some noise, and talk about the needs to secure funding. Mr. Eisenberg also emphasized the need to maintain and preserve the agricultural community, and purported the need to urbanize cities in order to protect green spaces and agricultural lands that provide resources for these urban areas.

That said, he was optimistic and said he believes that the province is taking some forward thinking steps, especially in the increase of young people with university degrees.