Page 5 - CERI 2017-2018 Annual Report

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Generation Energy could become the foundation for that work;

but not if the debate remains trapped in short-term thinking or
without recognizing that Canada’s options are largely shaped

by world energy and financial markets and by technological
innovation where we can be serious players, but not leaders.

How we rebuild our decision systems is the critical debate.

And that, in turn, will need to rest on a better-informed 2017-2018

stakeholder community. Canada has been in need of a much
better energy information system for well over a decade. It’s

not very exciting, but it needs to get done - starting now.
Beyond the need for more accessible and trusted sources of
data, we also need better analysis. As it happens, Canada has a

wealth of committed, well-informed advocacy and academic
organizations – most of which face financial struggles day to

day and will need stable financial support to remain focused on
their missions.

CERI sees itself as a key part of this eco-system, almost unique

in its capacity to carry out objective analysis while standing
aside from advocacy. As we continue to build on this capability,
we see numerous opportunities to work with a variety of

partners providing analytical support for their advocacy
efforts while maintaining our reputation for objectivity.

There is a way forward if Canadians turn to what we are

good at; thoughtful, incremental innovation, recognition

of the need to balance the interest of all Canadians and –

it’s not a swear word – compromise. And that needs to be

built on facts and shared understanding.