OSPE - The Voice - Spring 2020 - 14

ADVOCACY IN ACTION

reactors. This initial investment provides
economy requires a regional transit agency
the opportunity of unlocking regional
with the ability to properly integrate the
Ontario is well positioned
growth and becoming a world leader
millions of people that live in this area. A
in this developing technology. SMR's
to be a global leader in the world-class transit system is essential to
have the potential of creating jobs for
making the region competitive at the world
development, testing and stage. In order to achieve this, there must
engineers across Ontario. The estimated
total global export potential of SMRs is
an emphasis in evidence-based and
deployment of connected be
approximately CDN$150 billion per year
technical analysis of business cases, without
for 2030 to 2040. Despite this, there are
political intervention. The government
and automated vehicles
must also ensure that transit planning is
challenges with this developing industry.
(CAVs)
The government should develop a longintegrated with land-use planning and that
term comprehensive energy strategy, in
stable, long-term funding is available for the
partnership with other provinces and
operation and maintenance of existing and
the federal government, that includes
future assets.
the development of SMRs. This strategy should address
limited supply of economically recoverable Uranium 235,
11. Become a leader in connected and automated vehicles.
the fissile isotope needed to power SMRs, security, disposal,
Ontario is well positioned to be a global leader in the development,
public education regarding SMRs, Indigenous engagement
testing and deployment of connected and automated vehicles
(CAVs). CAVs can address transportation challenges, while
in advance of specific project proposals, and the unique
leading to the cleaner, safer, and more efficient use of roads.
challenges faced by Northern communities.
These technologies will transform the way cities function,
placing new demands on infrastructure systems, and creating
9. Encourage the use of Distributed Energy
new policy challenges for Ontario. To support this new
Resources (DERs).
DERs are electricity-producing resources or controllable
technology, it is imperative that the government create a policy
loads, that are connected to a local distribution system. DERs
and regulatory framework that promotes economic growth, new
can include solar panels, combined heat and power plants,
jobs and innovation, while protecting public safety. Moreover,
electricity storage, small natural gas-fuelled generators, and
the province must strengthen and provide long-term funding for
electric vehicles. Innovation in new energy technologies is
the Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network (AVIN), upgrade
providing a path that complements the existing investment
current infrastructure, ensure the work-force is equipped to
in our energy systems and provides a potential path for
respond to the demands of this sector, and raise public awareness
about the benefits of automated and connected vehicles.
comprehensive renewal of our energy infrastructure. DERs
can increase cost-savings for consumers, while reducing
GHG emissions. In coordination with the Ontario Energy
Make Ontario More Competitive
12. Develop the Ring of Fire.
Board, the provincial government should align rate design
The Ring of Fire region of Northern Ontario, with its deposits of
closer to the actual underlying cost of electricity service and
value of this energy to the grid, while concurrently preserving
chromite, nickel, copper and platinum, is an immense and untapped
a competitive market-based supply pricing mechanism. The
economic opportunity for the province. Research suggests that in
government should also work to create pricing systems that
the first 30 years of its development, the Ring of Fire will generate
encourage the adoption of locally owned energy generation.
more than $25 billion in economic activity across several different
sectors in Ontario, including mining, financial services, retail
Connect People to Places
trade, manufacturing, and the utilities sector. The development
10. Transform and improve the transit system
of this region will also provide enormous long-term benefits to
governance and infrastructure investment process.
Indigenous communities through increased economic activity and
Engineers believe that infrastructure projects should be
job creation. To successfully realize the economic potential of this
selected based on tangible benefits to the public and Ontarian
region the government must develop a long-term infrastructure
taxpayers. The Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA) is
plan for Northern Ontario, based on input and consultation from
Ontario's economic engine, and home to more than half of
Northern and Indigenous communities and the mining sector. The
the province's economic activity. The development of our
development must be sustainable and Indigenous peoples must

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THE VOICE Spring 2020
OSPE - The Voice - Spring 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of OSPE - The Voice - Spring 2020
