The Honourable Sergio Marchi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Electricity Association will be the keynote speaker at the October 19 Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

Marchi was also a Member of Parliament (Liberal Party) from 1984 to 1999 for the York West riding, twice serving as a cabinet minister. Following that, he served as Canadian Ambassador to the World Trade Organization.

Marchi now acts as spokesperson on issues of national concern to the electric utility industry. His presentation to Cranbrook chamber members is titled ‘The Electricity Imperative.’

“Electricity powers our homes, offices, factories and economy. Yet we rarely consider the complex infrastructure underpinning the electricity system.  We need to pay closer attention, and we need to do so now,” he said.

“Across Canada, governments have postponed hard decisions and have under-invested in that infrastructure year after year, hoping to get by for a little while longer. They, and regulators alike, worried about the cost of investing and the impact on electricity prices. Of course this is a legitimate concern. However, we must also shift the conversation to the value of electricity.

“Much of Canada’s electricity infrastructure is near the end of its life cycle and must be renewed, replaced, and modernized, requiring a $350 billion investment over the next 20 years. Our country needs reliable electricity to grow and prosper; but not reinvesting also brings with it costs and consequences. Like with everything else, choices must be made for our future.”

Hear the Honourable Sergio Marchi, make the case for this and other challenges facing Canada’s electricity industry Wednesday, October 19 at The Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort.  This event also celebrates small business month and will feature a trade show prior to the luncheon.

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