OTTAWA – September 3, 2026 – Society of United Professionals President Rebecca Caron joined government, labour and industry representatives in Ottawa yesterday for the launch of the new Energy and Electricity Workforce Alliance.
Announced by the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families, the Alliance will bring together workers, unions, employers, educational institutions, Indigenous partners and industry organizations to address workforce challenges across Canada’s rapidly evolving energy and electricity sector.
For Society members working across Ontario’s electricity sector, the announcement recognizes something they experience every day: Canada’s energy future depends on having a highly skilled workforce ready to build, operate and maintain the systems Canadians rely on.
As electricity demand grows and Canada invests in new generation, transmission and grid modernization, workforce planning will become increasingly important. The Alliance will focus on areas including skills development, reskilling and upskilling, regional labour mobility and preparing workers for emerging technologies.
“Canada’s energy future will be built by skilled workers, including the professionals who keep our electricity system safe, reliable and ready for what comes next,” said Rebecca Caron, President of the Society of United Professionals. “It is encouraging to see workers and unions recognized as an important part of planning for the future of this sector. As investments in electricity infrastructure grow, the people with the expertise to deliver that work need to be part of the conversation.”
Electricity Human Resources Canada will lead the Alliance, with support from the Energy Council of Canada and the Canadian Renewable Energy Association.
The federal government estimates that Canada’s energy sector, including oil, gas and electricity, employed more than 316,00 workers and contributed $232 billion to GDP in 2024. With major investments in electricity generation, transmission, and grid modernization expected in the years ahead, building and retaining a skilled workforce will be essential.
For Society members, the Alliance represents a positive recognition of the role skilled professionals will play as Canada’s energy system grows and changes. Its work will help inform how the sector approaches workforce development, skills needs and emerging technologies in the years ahead.
As Canada builds the next generation of its energy and electricity system, the expertise and experience of the professionals who keep it safe, reliable and moving forward will be essential.
