Past Seminar Presentations & Videos

The final panel in the Sustainable Energy Workstream explored long-term energy policy in Ontario. Chaired by the OCC’s Peter Love, the panel examined the best evidence-based options for clean energy production. This included examining energy demand forecasts, the taxpayer costs related to cap and trade, variable energy flows, and the costs associated refurbishing existing nuclear reactors.

Chaired by Environmental Studies Professor Mark Winfield of York University, the second panel in this workstream explored future energy systems. Specifically, this panel looked at frameworks for energy storage technologies, the movement towards 100% cities, and the future of energy efficiency in Ontario.

The panel on community energy planning explored important questions related to the implementation of sustainable energy at the municipal and local level. Speakers included individuals from the public, non-profit, and energy sectors.

In June of 2016 the Trudeau government announced a review of the federal environmental and regulatory review processes, as revised through the Harper government's Bills C-38 and C-45. Since then four separate review processes have been set in motion. Expert panels have been established to review the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) and the Role of the National Energy Board (NEB), while parliamentary committees are conducting reviews of the Fisheries Act and the Navigation Protection Act (formerly the Navigable Waters Protection Act). This seminar, presented by the Sustainable Energy Initiative and MES/JD program at York University, looked at what was happening under each of the review processes, and how they are, (or should be) connected.

In the Spring, students from the ENVS 3505 class had to present their business plans to the Dragons Den Panel. Their projects consisted of exploring sustainable businesses with a plan for the future as well as focusing on environmental and societal impacts.

The Sustainable Energy Initiative hosted an informative discussion session with five leading experts. With the Paris COP21 right around the corner, and Prime Minister Trudeau's recently named cabinet, the experts were invited to shed light on the likely directions new government in regards to environmental, energy and climate change policy.

The possibilities for closer cooperation between Ontario and Quebec around electricity and climate change issue have drawn increasing attention over the past few months. Following up on SEI’s initial May 2014 workshop on these issues, this event aims to deepen our understanding the political, economic, environmental and technical barriers and opportunities associated with strengthening the relationship between the Ontario and Quebec electricity systems, particularly in the context of the potential for wider collaboration between the provinces around climate change and transitions to a low-carbon economy. The workshop is specifically designed to bring Quebec perspectives on these issues to Ontario.