Sector Scan

WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND THE DISTRIBUTION SECTOR

Cananzi (left) is seen at February's EDA Awards Gala along with Alectra colleagues, Caroline Karvonen and Dan Pastoric.

Former EDA Chair Cananzi Announces Retirement Following a rigorous Canadian search that attracted a long list of high-calibre internal and external energy executives, Peter Gregg was selected as the next President and CEO of Nova Scotia Power Inc. The utility noted in a statement that the long-time Ontario electricity industry executive brings deep experience in the energy sector with a focus on energy efficiency, renewables and innovation.

Max Cananzi, President, Alectra Utilities, announced his pending retirement earlier in the fall. The former EDA chair and long-time director has had a noteworthy career in the energy and utilities sector. Max was a key participant in building one of Ontario’s most successful energy retailers and in facilitating the merger of three of the province’s largest utilities. The EDA board, membership, and staff wish him an enjoyable retirement and success in

Peter Gregg Heads to Nova Scotia Power his future endeavors. Glen McAllister Joins EDA Board of Directors Glen McAllister, Chief Financial Officer, InnPower, has been appointed to the EDA board of directors as Georgian Bay District representative. McAllister replaces long-time Director Ruth Tyrrell who retired this year from Orangeville Hydro. The rest of the slate of 2021-2023 district directors will be confirmed by the membership at the EDA’s 2021 AGM in February.

EDA Members Win at ESA’s Ontario Electrical Safety Awards The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) held its first virtual annual meeting and Ontario Electrical Safety Awards. Awards were presented in the categories of Worker Safety, Consumer and Home Safety, and Powerline Safety, along with a newly created Licensed Electrical Contractor Recognition Award and a Chief Public Safety Officer Special Recognition Award.

Among the 2020 award recipients were: Worker Safety, PUC Services Inc., for its dedication to keeping workers and the community safe during the COVID-19 pandemic; and Consumer and Home Safety, Hydro One Networks Inc., for its innovative approach to educating consumers on an important safety issue through the “2019 Power Challenge”.

INDUSTRY QUICK HIGHLIGHTS

Energy+ donated $20,000 to the Brant United Way and the Waterloo United Way COVID-19 community response fund. The company matched donations made by employees and board members.

North Bay Hydro funded the planting of 37 large tree species in three locations across its city.

Hydro One donated $25,000 to the Markham Stouffville Hospital for ventilators, and in partnership with GlobalMedic delivered 575 critical aid kits to the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory.

Elexicon Energy donated $5,000

to four food banks to help support the community agencies amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

Hydro Ottawa

informed its customers on how the utility continually works with city planners and developers in anticipation of increased electricity demands and loads.

Alectra’s employees and customers stepped up for their communities and, with two separate campaigns, raised over $140,000 for Feed Ontario and its member food banks, which will provide 420,000 meals to the people most in need.

Oshawa Power launched the Compassion Fund to assist Residential Customers who are having difficulty paying their bills.

Many utilities also made it easier for their customers to access a host of useful data. Oshawa Power, for example, launched its new interface, MyOshawaPower, while ENWIN released a new free mobile app to help keep its customers connected.