Considering Our Current Situation – True Collaboration is Now a Necessity
Only when true collaboration is fully embraced by Ontario’s energy stakeholders will we see energy decisions expedited, adopted with unity, and sustainable.
Ontario’s true collaboration will involve at least the following stakeholders:
- energy users and their advocates,
- political, community, and regulatory leaders,
- leaders representing energy generators, transmitters, transporters, and distributors,
- leaders representing energy product and service providers [including data & AI specialists],
- leaders representing organizations that support and fund energy projects [of all sizes], and
- leaders representing the environment sector.
The Ontario Energy Vision
When Ontario energy stakeholders truly collaborate, Ontario citizens will grow essential advantages:
- Balanced & Pragmatic Energy Solutions – Decisions will be guided by fact-based, inclusive discussions that acknowledge both economic realities and environmental responsibilities, ensuring a strategic, achievable transition away from traditional fuels.
- A Thriving SME Energy Sector – Small and midsize energy businesses will compete on a broader and more level playing field, driving entrepreneurial and economic innovation, and delivering cost-effective, customer-focused energy solutions.
- Regulators & Policymakers Engaged as Partners – In the new era that goes beyond lobbying, polarized viewpoints and disputed facts/data, Ontario’s energy decision-makers will be empowered by transparent, non-partisan true collaboration, leading to stable, forward-thinking policies.
- Municipal Leaders Equipped for Resilience – Cities and communities will proactively manage economic shocks, policy and regulatory changes, and energy shifts by leveraging a network of trusted stakeholder-collaborators working towards shared success.
- A Culture of Informed Decision-Making – Clear, fact-based dialogue will replace polarization, allowing Ontario’s energy sector and its citizens to innovate, adapt, and serve energy needs efficiently, economically, and sustainably.
The Ontario Energy Collaborative Association (OECA)
Founded in 2023, OECA was established to provide a platform for leaders of small to midsize Ontario energy businesses to collaborate. By sharing insights, facts, and innovative ideas, our members work together to innovate and shape the future of Ontario’s energy sector.
Today, OECA members, Ontario’s energy sector, and all Canadians face significant challenges due to tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Canadian goods. These tariff pressures create economic uncertainty.
However, we must never forget the wisdom in the adage:
Opportunity rides on the wings of adversity.
In challenging times, it’s easy to dwell on the negatives and difficult to remain open-minded and see opportunities. It takes clear thinking, believability-weighted decision-making, and decisive action to move forward.
Now, more than ever, we Canadians must:
- push beyond our individual, corporate, and provincial comfort zones,
- expand our commitment to collaboration and value creation, and
- uncover new opportunities together.
We must truly collaborate.
To truly collaborate, we must start with ourselves, understanding our individual strengths, weaknesses, knowledge, and skills. We must be open-minded and curious, willing to learn and grow. True collaboration begins at the individual level, then extends to family, business colleagues, and beyond. From there, we can spread the value of collaboration to communities across Ontario…and Canada…shaping the future of our energy sector and our economy.
True collaboration requires us to go beyond selling and buying goods from one another. True collaboration is a process of agreeing on focused and sustainable exchange of value, ensuring that value is both delivered and received by all involved. True collaboration is about people uniting to achieve shared and complementary goals. It is about initiating and growing relationships, building track records of trust, and creating a framework for innovation.
True collaboration evolves as it:
- expands achievements to new levels,
- creates new forms of value exchanged between collaborators,
- systematically eliminates barriers to greater collaboration and mutual benefit, and
- enhances the value delivered to the stakeholders/collaborators and Ontario citizens.
Ontario’s citizens and their energy-sector policy makers, regulators, and leaders are now facing both a unique challenge and a unique opportunity: the chance to engage in true collaboration and build a stronger, more resilient energy future for Ontarians…and Canadians.
At OECA, we believe in the power of collective intelligence. Only by truly collaborating, will we turn today’s obstacles into tomorrow’s successes.
Join the Conversation and Let’s Shape Ontario’s Energy and Economic Future
The time for true collaboration is now. We invite Ontario’s energy-sector policy makers, regulators, leaders, and innovative thinkers to connect, share ideas, and act. Together, we will move beyond traditional boundaries, build relationships, and create lasting impact.
Truly collaborate and be part of a movement that will shape Ontario’s energy future.
Let’s rise to the challenge—together.
To contact Ontario Energy Collaborative Association –
Visit OECA’s website Contact – Ontario Energy Collaborative Association
Contact me by email [email protected] by phone 519-498-4535.
With true collaboration always in mind,
Rick Baker
OECA Chair
