Ontario Launches Expert Panel to Strengthen Local Electricity Distribution
November 5, 2025
Minister Stephen Lecce has announced the launch of the Panel for Utility Leadership and Service Excellence (PULSE), a strategic advisory group that will ensure the province’s electricity distribution system can power the most competitive economy in the G7. This panel of industry experts and municipal representatives will support Energy for Generations, the government’s long-term plan to deliver reliable energy that is affordable for families, supports job creating investment and power Ontario’s future.
Ontario’s aging and capacity-constrained distribution system requires a significant infusion of capital, with the Electricity Distributors Association (EDA) estimating $103–$120 billion over the next two decades to maintain existing assets. This level of investment for stronger and smarter power lines, digital grid management tools and new substations, dwarfs the current spending trajectory of most Local Distribution Companies (LDCs).
“If the backbone of Ontario’s electricity grid — Ontario’s utilities that bring power to homes, businesses and factories — cannot keep up, Ontario risks falling behind. Our path to self reliance rests on our ability to challenge the status quo and demand better for every ratepayer in Ontario,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “The world has changed, which is why we need to future-proof Ontario’s grid as we invest in the next generation of electricity infrastructure. Through this review, we will transform all utilities into more reliable, resilient and future-ready systems that are focused on keeping energy rates affordable for families.”
The province’s economy is facing unprecedented realignment and external risks, and yet the local distribution sector has not undertaken a review since 2012. Since then, the world has changed as Ontario transitioned from an era of surplus power to unparalleled power demand and electrification, rising geopolitical threats and advanced technology. Many of Ontario’s nearly 60 utilities are at risk for future credit downgrades, which can lead to higher borrowing costs absorbed by ratepayers.
The government is also seeking recommendations to end the vast disparity of service standards and connection timelines, including response times following extreme weather events. This expert panel will advise Ontario’s government on pathways to mandate and strengthen customer service improvements, in addition to efforts to reduce costs on ratepayers by enhancing shared services and procurement across utilities. The PULSE will provide recommendations on investment frameworks, operational best practices, and regulatory reform planning needed to deliver a reliable, resilient and future-ready electricity distribution system across Ontario.
PULSE work will include:
- Recommending operational and customer service improvements across the system
- Identifying strategies to address rising financing gaps to fund electricity infrastructure
- Addressing barriers to attracting investments into municipally owned LDCs
- Reviewing ownership, governance and investment models that balance municipal interests, financial stability and system efficiency
In 2018, the Ontario Energy Board issued a report calling for reform, stating that “utilities will need to modernize their systems, adopt innovative technologies, and explore new business and partnership models to meet evolving customer expectations and ensure long term system reliability and value for money.” This recommendation echoed the 2012 Ontario Distribution Sector Review panel report, which said that maintaining the status quo would not serve the interests of customers and Ontario needs distributers that are efficient, innovative, and financially strong.
“Ontario’s communities are growing, and we need to ensure we have the energy infrastructure in place to power that growth,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Through PULSE’s recommendations, we will ensure that every community has access to power that is safe, affordable, and resilient—both today and for generations to come.
Minister Lecce has appointed Anthony Haines, Paula Conboy, Alexander Nuttall and David MacNaughton, who collectively bring a wealth of leadership and expertise in the energy sector. The work of the panel will be supported by Stephen Poloz in the role of expert advisor, who brings his experience from his time serving as the Governor of the Bank of Canada.
By advising on investment frameworks, operational best practices and regulatory reform, PULSE will help ensure the sector can finance and deliver the electricity system expansion needed to power new homes and a strong economy—without compromising service quality or affordability. PULSE is expected to deliver its final recommendations to the Minister of Energy and Mines in early 2026, shaping the future direction of Ontario’s local electricity distribution system.
Biographies of Panel Members
Anthony Haines is an experienced Director and veteran CEO in the energy sector. He currently serves in Canada as Director of Ontario Power Generation and Chairman of Elexicon Corporation. From 2009-2024, Anthony was President & CEO at Toronto Hydro Corporation and from 2005-2009 served as the company’s Chief Administrative Officer and President of the utility. From 2003-2005, Anthony served as Chief Operating Officer at Hydro Ottawa, and prior to that was President & CEO at Enlogix Inc. (a subsidiary of Westcoast Energy). Anthony served as past Chair of both Electricity Canada and the Ontario Energy Association. He has won numerous awards including Canadian Energy Person of the Year (Energy Council of Canada), Leader of the Year (Ontario Energy Association), the first Canadian to win the North American Sustainability Leader of the Year (Corporate Responsibility Association), Leadership on Sustainability (Electricity Canada), and recently Lifetime Achievement (Ontario Energy Association). In addition to his commitment to the energy sctor, Anthony has been actively involved in philanthropic activities. He is most proud of his fundraising efforts for the Ross Tilley Burn Center at Sunnybrook Hospital, overseeing fundraising of millions of dollars for electrical injury rehabilitation research.
Paula Conboy is an internationally recognized leader in the energy sector, bringing over 25 years of diverse global leadership experience. Her expertise spans regulation, regional transmission, policy development, and governance. Recently appointed to an expert panel reviewing Australia’s Electricity Market. She serves on the Board of Singapore’s Energy Market Authority. Previously, she chaired the Australian Energy Regulator, overseeing the regulation of energy markets, and was a member of the Energy Security Board, collaborating on the transition to a modern energy system in Australia. Paula was on staff at the Ontario Energy Board contributing to Bill 35 in 1998 before moving on to Power Stream as VP of Regulatory and Government Affairs. She then served on the board of the OEB. Paula is a member of the NACD and the AICD. She holds Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Guelph.
Alexander Nuttall serves as the 47th and current mayor of Barrie and Vice-Chair of Ontario Big City Mayors. Previously, he served on Barrie City Council from 2006 until 2014, and as the member of Parliament for the federal electoral district of Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte from 2015 to 2019. During his tenure as Member of Parliament, Mayor Nuttall held the roles of Shadow Minister for the Sharing Economy, Deputy Shadow Minister for the Innovation, Science and Technology, Shadow Minister for Economic Development in Southern Ontario, Shadow Minister for Youth, Sports and Persons with Disabilities. Prior to entering federal politics, Mayor Nuttall had a successful career in banking, beginning with retail banking at TD Canada Trust, followed by Small Business at RBC, and Commercial Banking with Meridian Credit Union. Mayor Nuttall is a proud father to Caleb and Anabella Nuttall, and husband to Meg Nuttall.
David MacNaughton is a Canadian diplomat, political advisor, strategy consultant and former president of AI software development company Palantir Technologies Canada. Between 2016 and 2019 he worked in public office as the Canadian ambassador to the United States. He is a former Director of TC Energy, a former Principal Secretary to the Premier of Ontario, and former advisor to the Federal Minister of Transport. He was also the President of Hill and Knowlton, and the former CEO of Public Affairs International. He is also a former President of Strathshore Financial.
The Panel will draw on existing evidence, research, and input from sector experts to inform its recommendations. It will also undertake targeted outreach with key utility and municipal associations and engage directly with northern and rural LDCs to ensure their perspectives are reflected.
Research
- Solving Grid-Lock: Our Vision for a Customer-Centric Energy Transition. Electricity Distributors Association (April 2024), which considered alternative funding options, revising OEB debt-equity standards, and increasing private equity caps before triggering transfer taxes.
- Energy and Electrification Transition Panel (January 2024). Touched on the scope of the LDC review. EETP’s Recommendation 25: the government should clearly set out a policy vision for how electrification and the energy transition will be funded, including a realistic assessment of the distributional impacts of funding choices on different groups. In response to that recommendation, stakeholder feedback acknowledged that transformation at the energy distribution utility level is critical to enable the transition (electricity and natural gas) given that utilities have direct relationships with most energy consumers.
- Best Practices regarding Governance of OEB Rate-Regulated Utilities. Ontario Energy Board Report (2018). Report recommended utilities will need to modernize their systems, adopt innovative technologies, and explore new business and partnership models to meet evolving customer expectations and ensure long term system reliability and value for money.
- Renewing Ontario’s Electricity Distribution Sector: Putting the Consumer First. Electricity Distribution Sector Review Panel (2012), With a focus on fairness and value for money, this panel underscored that maintaining the status quo would not serve the interests of customers and that Ontario needs distributers that are efficient, innovative, and financially strong.
Quick Facts
- Ontario has one of the cleanest electricity grids in the world with over 80 per cent of power coming from non-emitting resources.
- Ontario has nearly 60 LDCs.
