Policy Day 2023

Policy Day 2023 has ended. For information on Policy Day, please return to https://engagewithus.oeb.ca/policyday.

• Now Available: What We Heard: A Report Back on Stakeholder Input at Policy Day 2023

  

  What We Heard: A Report Back on Stakeholder Input reflects the feedback of the 150 representatives of distributors, transmitters, generators, technology innovators, academics, consumers and government in attendance at Policy Day. This input will play a critical role in helping the OEB stay focused on the right priorities as the energy sector undergoes unprecedented transformation.
  
  Anecdotal reports tell us the workshops had robust and insightful conversations and a post-event survey indicated many participants have a better understanding of the OEB’s plans and priorities for the near term after attending Policy Day, believe the OEB is considering the right priorities within its forward work program, and feel the OEB was genuinely interested in the input from stakeholders during Policy Day.
  
  
  Policy Day 2023 enabled a collaborative exchange of ideas on a range of topics:

  • EV charging accessibility
  • Continued effectiveness of adjudicative policies & intervenor participation in the hearing process
  • Technology transformation by leveraging technology solutions to modernize how the OEB regulates
  • Developing a benefit-cost analysis for local electricity system planning - characterization of societal impacts
  • The regulator’s role in implementing a distribution system operator model in Ontario

  
  This valuable feedback is now informing our work to develop the OEB’s 2024-2027 Business Plan, the submission of which is due to the Ministry of Energy by December 31, 2023.
  
  A recording of the event and a copy of the materials shared with participants are also available. Click on the links on the right-hand side of this page under "Videos" and "Policy Day 2023 Materials."

• OEB hosts third annual Policy Day

  

  Thank you to the 150 sector stakeholders who joined Policy Day 2023 on October 12, 2023, coming together in a collaborative exchange about the work of the OEB and how that aligns with the needs and priorities of the sector within a rapidly changing energy landscape.
  
  The energy sector is undergoing massive change, and the OEB and our stakeholders are at the epicenter of a transformational transition. That’s why the theme for our third annual Policy Day was “Regulatory Decision-Making: Delivering Today and Planning for Tomorrow,” recognizing how we need to pay attention to the regulatory needs of the energy sector of today while also envisioning a framework to enable the energy sector for the future.
  
  Our deepest thanks to energy transformation leader Aisha Bukhari for moderating this year’s C-Suite in Conversation. Joined by Ms Bukhari, the full OEB executive leadership team: Susanna Zagar, Lynne Anderson, Carolyn Calwell and Harneet Panesar, came together in person for a live-streamed panel discussion on the current energy landscape as well as emerging issues and challenges.
  
  The feedback we’ve received will help us stay focused on the right priorities as we develop our forward work plan. Watch for a summary report about what we heard at Policy Day 2023 coming soon.

• Aisha Bukhari moderates Policy Day 2023 panel discussion

  

  Aisha Bukhari is passionate about clean energy, innovation, and social justice. She is the Vice President of Women In Renewable Energy (WiRE), a non-profit aimed at advancing the role and recognition of women working in the clean energy sector. Aisha also sits on the Board of Directors for the Pembina Institute, a registered charity working to solve today’s greatest energy challenges.

  Previously, she was the Cleantech Sector Lead at the MaRS Discovery District, a non-profit innovation hub, with the mission of helping innovators create a better world. In that role, she worked with corporate, and government partners in Canada, US and Chile, to support them with the development and implementation of their climate goals. Before joining MaRS, she was with Toronto Hydro, an electricity distribution company serving customers in the city of Toronto. In that role, she led the development and installation of smart grid solutions and supported the mergers and acquisitions portfolio. Aisha is co-founder of an education technology startup, Attollo Social Enterprise, whose mission is to make early childhood education accessible to all children.

  Aisha has deep experience with multi-stakeholder initiatives and dialogues to build consensus and new perspectives on pathways to Canada’s energy future. She holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Toronto, a master’s degree in electric power engineering from the University of Waterloo and an MBA from Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto.

• 2023 agenda announced

  OPENING REMARKS
  OEB CEO Susanna Zagar

  
  

  C-SUITE IN CONVERSATION - LIVE STREAM
  The full OEB executive leadership team comes together in person in a live streamed panel discussion on the current energy sector landscape as well as emerging issues and challenges. Energy transformation leader Aisha Bukhari joins Policy Day 2023 to moderate a dialogue between Chief Executive Officer Susanna Zagar, Chief Commissioner Lynne Anderson, Chief Corporate Services Officer & General Counsel Carolyn Calwell and Chief Operating Officer Harneet Panesar.

  
  

  (l-r) Aisha Bukhari, Susanna Zagar, Lynne Anderson, Carolyn Calwell and Harneet Panesar

  
  

  BREAK OUTS
  Organizations may register for two breakout sessions. Each session is then attended by the individual selected to participate by their organization. Rooms will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Capacity per breakout room is limited so participants are asked to indicate their preference and the OEB will do its best to accommodate.

  1. EV Charging Accessibility - Interest in electric vehicles (EVs) is tied to the availability of dependable charging infrastructure at home, in the workplace, and at public facilities. This session discusses markets and customer groups that may be underserved in terms of access to EV charging and explores the possible reasons for that lack of access.
     
     
  2. Continued Effectiveness of Adjudicative Policies & Intervenor Participation in the Hearing Process - Policy and process come together. This session is a focused discussion of the adjudicative policies prioritized for review over the upcoming three-year planning period as well as to-the-point solicitation of input on the successes and challenges of current processes for participating in the OEB’s hearings.
     
     
  3. Technology Transformation: Leveraging Technology Solutions to Modernize How the OEB Regulates - With technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning transforming businesses and society, regulatory delivery needs to evolve as well. This session is an open discussion about how the OEB’s Office of the Registrar can leverage opportunities to adopt new technologies in support of adjudicative processes and will consider potential challenges.
     
     
  4. Developing a Benefit Cost Analysis for Local Electricity System Planning - Characterization of Societal Impacts - A discussion of how the broader energy system impacts of local system planning decisions, particularly those with societal implications, can be understood and applied in OEB decision-making.
     
     
  5. The Regulator’s Role in Implementing a Distribution System Operator Model in Ontario - An exploratory conversation about the regulatory considerations the OEB should contemplate when looking at the various factors associated with implementation of a Distribution System Operator.
     
     
     

  What We Heard
  A regroup on the breakout room discussions, including a report back on the feedback and questions raised by sector stakeholders.
  
  

  CLOSING REMARKS
  OEB CEO Susanna Zagar

• 2023 theme announced

  We all acknowledge the energy sector is undergoing massive change. The OEB and our stakeholders are at the epicenter of a transformational transition. The theme for this year’s Policy Day, “Regulatory Decision-Making: Delivering Today and Planning for Tomorrow,” recognizes the regulatory needs of the energy sector of today while envisioning a framework to enable the energy sector for the future.