Keynote: Thursday Morning

Electricity: A Strategic Asset for a Greener, More Prosperous Future

  • The Honourable Sergio Marchi, P.C. The Honourable Sergio Marchi, P.C.,
    President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Electricity Association

Abstract

Tomorrow’s economy will be built on a solid foundation of clean, sustainable growth that will drive new technologies, increase productivity, and create good jobs for Canadians. As we work to operationalize the Paris Agreement, Canada has a significant advantage in one crucial area: access to abundant sustainable and reliable power.By preparing for climate change via adaptive measures, Canada can help mitigate its social and economic impacts.

  • By adopting a balanced, pragmatic, and consultative approach between governments and industry, Canada can empower real change here and around the world.
  • By addressing existing regulatory and policy gaps, we can incentivize Canadian utilities to launch pilot projects and conduct technology trials that will help reduce emissions, increase efficiency and make Canada a leader in the high-margin knowledge-economy.
  • By establishing an economy- and continent-wide carbon price we can maximize emissions reductions at the lowest cost, while protecting the competitive position of our companies.

The Canadian electricity sector is Canada’s clean energy solution. Despite the huge global challenges, by harnessing the power of clean, safe, and reliable electricity, Canada is well positioned to lead.

Biography

The Honourable Sergio Marchi was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) in February 2015. As President of CEA, Mr. Marchi acts as spokesperson on issues of national concern to the electric utility industry.

The Honourable Sergio Marchi was elected as a Toronto City Councillor in 1982, and was subsequently elected as the Member of Parliament representing the Toronto riding of York West in 1984. During his time in the federal government, he served as Cabinet Minister in three key portfolios: International Trade; Environment; and Citizenship and Immigration.

After voluntarily leaving the political arena in 1999, Mr. Marchi was appointed Canadian Ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations (UN) Agencies in Geneva, where he served for five years. In 2003, he was nominated by the Canadian government and the UN Secretary General to serve as Commissioner on the UN Global Commission on International Migration, a position he held until 2005.

Prior to joining CEA, Mr. Marchi held a number of positions in the private sector, and was a frequent public speaker and commentator on international issues, including global migration, international economy, trade, and investment.
Mr. Marchi is also a visiting professor at the University of Ottawa in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.

Mr. Marchi graduated from York University with an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Urban Planning. He is married, with two children.