Bill 150 is one of the most ambitious legal reforms to ever affect the energy and environment sectors. It substantially reforms the existing regulatory situation under the Ministries of Energy and Infrastructure, and Environment. It also contains major legal reforms affecting the Ministries of Natural Resources, Municipal Affairs, Aboriginal Affairs, Northern Development and Mines, and Culture and Communications. Under each regime, perceived roadblocks to green energy projects are removed or substantially narrowed. 

The purpose of this conference is to provide an overview of the major legal reforms set out in the Act, its schedules, the many anticipated regulations and policy directives.

Focus: This program will provide a comprehensive overview of the major legal reforms set out in the Act, its schedules, the many anticipated regulations and policy directives.

Highlights:
• Coverage of all major energy and environmental reforms
• Multi-stakeholder panels on key issues
• Perspectives and participation from senior practitioners in the field

This program is offered jointly by the Ontario Bar Association’s Environmental Law, Municipal Law, and Natural Resources & Energy Sections, and the Law Society of Upper Canada.

9:00 am Introductory Remarks

9:15 am Panel One: Energy Reform (I): Generation Rules and Reforms
• New generators
• Expansions and upgrades
• Transition issues
Linda L. Bertoldi, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Thomas Brett, Fogler, Rubinoff LLP
Michael W. Lyle, General Counsel & Vice President, Ontario Power Authority

10:30 am Break

10:45 am Panel Two: Energy Reform (II): Transmission and Distribution
• Process to establish new transmission lines
• Challenges facing electricity distributors
Bruce B. Campbell, Vice-President, Corporate & Legal Affairs Independent Electricity System Operator
John Loucks, Chair, Electricity Distributors Association, COO, Brantford Power - Brantford

11:45 am Promotion of Aboriginal Participation
• Management opportunities and consultation standards
Nancy Kleer, Olthuis Kleer Townshend

12:20 pm Lunch (not provided)

1:15 pm Panel Three: Approvals Reform: Renewable Energy Approvals and Other Approvals
• Ministry of Environment approvals
• Ministry of Natural Resources approvals
• The meaning of “complete applications”
• The need for complete applications
Stuart D.M. Davidson, Legal Services Branch, Ministry of Natural Resources
Marcia Wallace, Ministry of the Environment
Christopher J. Williams, Aird & Berlis LLP

2:50 pm Break

3:05 pm Panel Four: Environmental Energy Appeals
• Proponent perspective
• Municipal perspective
• Ratepayers/ residents/ public interest perspective
Eric K. Gillespie, Eric K. Gillespie Professional Corporation
Michael M. Peterson, McMillan LLP
Timothy J. Wilkin, Cunningham, Swan, Carty, Little & Bonham LLP - Kingston

4:10 pm Questions and Concluding Remarks

4:30 pm Program Concludes