Powering Canada’s Next Chapter: Building the Electrical Infrastructure We Need
Canada is preparing for a major increase in electricity use.
From industrial facilities and public infrastructure to transportation, housing, data centres, and resource development, more systems are relying on electricity. Meeting this demand will require new generation, expanded transmission and distribution networks, modern control systems, energy storage, and a strong electrical workforce.
The Government of Canada recently announced plans to develop a National Electricity Strategy through consultation with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, utilities, unions, and industry. The announcement estimates that electricity demand in Canada could double by 2050.
Policies and governments may change, but the need to strengthen Canada’s electrical infrastructure is clear. Building it will require practical planning, Canadian workers, reliable products, local knowledge, and cooperation throughout the electrical industry.
Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney
"Through our new National Electricity Strategy, we will build quickly and at scale to double our energy infrastructure and build a strong Canada powered by clean, affordable, and reliable energy."
— The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
Why Electricity Demand Is Growing
Electricity has always supported Canadian homes, businesses, and public services. What is changing is the amount of power required and the number of systems that depend on it.
Several forces are contributing to this growth:
- New industrial and manufacturing projects
- Electrification of equipment and industrial processes
- Electric vehicle charging
- New residential and commercial construction
- Data centres and digital infrastructure
- Heat pumps and electric heating systems
- Mining and critical mineral development
- Expansion of water and wastewater facilities
- Renewable energy and energy storage projects
Natural Resources Canada reports that electricity consumption could more than double by 2050 under a slower electrification scenario and nearly triple under faster scenarios.
This growth creates a major opportunity for Canada. It also presents a serious challenge: electrical infrastructure must be built before demand exceeds available capacity.
As Electro-Federation Canada (EFC) President & CEO Carol McGlogan has emphasized, Canada's electrical and automation industry will play a central role in expanding grid capacity, strengthening supply chains, improving energy efficiency, and supporting long-term economic competitiveness. That message reinforces what businesses across the industry are seeing firsthand: electrification is no longer a future goal—it is happening now.
Industry Perspective
"Canada's electrification journey is about far more than expanding our power grid. It's about building the infrastructure, supply chains, and skilled workforce needed to support economic growth for decades to come. The electrical industry has a unique opportunity—and responsibility—to help shape that future through innovation, collaboration, and investment."
– Tim Horsman, CEO & President, EB Horsman & Son
As Electro-Federation Canada (EFC) President & CEO Carol McGlogan has emphasized, Canada's electrical and automation industry will play a central role in expanding grid capacity, strengthening supply chains, improving energy efficiency, and supporting long-term economic competitiveness. That message reinforces what businesses across the industry are seeing firsthand: electrification is no longer a future goal—it is happening now.
More Electricity Requires More Than Generation
Generating more electricity is only one part of the work.
Power must also be transmitted over long distances, distributed safely within communities, controlled efficiently, and delivered reliably to each facility. That means Canada will need continued investment across the entire electrical system.
This includes:
- Power generation
- Transmission lines and interties
- Substations
- Distribution equipment
- Switchgear and transformers
- Protection and control systems
- Automation and industrial communications
- Energy management
- Battery energy storage
- EV charging infrastructure
- Monitoring and process instrumentation
Many existing electrical systems will also need to be upgraded. Modern equipment can help operators better monitor power use, manage loads, identify problems, reduce downtime, and improve system reliability.
This work must be completed carefully. Reliability, affordability, worker safety, equipment availability, and long-term service must remain central to every project.
A Major Opportunity for Western Canada
Western Canada is well positioned to take part in this electrical buildout.
British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the surrounding northern regions support a wide mix of industries, including mining, forestry, energy, agriculture, manufacturing, construction, transportation, and water and wastewater management.
Each industry has its own electrical needs.
A mine may require motor control, instrumentation, power distribution, communications, and equipment built for harsh operating conditions. A water treatment plant may need reliable level measurement, variable-frequency drives, automation, backup power, and control panels. A commercial development may require lighting controls, EV charging, data communications, and energy management.
Remote and northern communities face additional challenges, including long supply routes, severe weather, limited access to technical support, and the need for dependable backup systems.
Supporting electrification in Western Canada will require solutions that reflect these local operating conditions. Projects cannot depend only on broad national plans. They need experienced contractors, engineers, utilities, manufacturers, distributors, and workers who understand the region.
Water and Wastewater Systems Will Play an Important Role
Water and wastewater facilities are among the most important electrical users in any community.
Pumps, motors, blowers, treatment systems, chemical feed equipment, instrumentation, and control systems all depend on a steady power supply. As communities grow and treatment standards develop, many facilities will need to expand or replace aging equipment.
Electrification and grid modernization can support these facilities through:
- High-efficiency motors and variable-frequency drives
- Process automation and remote monitoring
- Level, flow, pressure, and analytical instrumentation
- Motor control and power distribution
- Backup power and energy storage
- Improved electrical protection
- Connected maintenance and diagnostic systems
These upgrades can help utilities manage energy use, improve process control, reduce unplanned shutdowns, and extend equipment life.
For municipalities, the goal is not simply to install more technology. It is to select dependable systems that operators can maintain and that will continue serving the community for many years.
Canadian Supply and Strong Partnerships Matter
Large infrastructure projects require dependable supply chains.
Electrical equipment shortages can delay construction, increase costs, and make project planning difficult. Building more equipment in Canada and maintaining strong relationships with established manufacturers can help improve product availability and support Canadian jobs.
The National Electricity Strategy announcement identifies domestic manufacturing as one of its four main priorities, along with infrastructure, grid connections, and workforce development.
Canadian-made and Canadian-assembled electrical products are already supporting residential, commercial, industrial, and utility projects across the country. EB Horsman & Son also supplies products from manufacturers that operate and invest in Canada, including electrical distribution equipment designed for Canadian codes and operating conditions.
No single organization can complete this work alone. Strong partnerships between customers, contractors, utilities, consultants, manufacturers, and distributors will be needed to keep projects moving.
How EB Horsman & Son Supports Electrification
EB Horsman & Son has supported electrical customers in Western Canada since 1900.
As a Canadian, family- and employee-owned electrical distributor, we work with contractors, industrial customers, OEMs, municipalities, utilities, engineers, and businesses throughout the region.
Our product and service offering supports many parts of electrification, including:
- Electrical distribution
- Automation, controls, and motion
- Process instrumentation
- Motor control
- Industrial data communications
- Lighting supply and design
- EV charging
- Energy management
- Backup power and energy storage
- Commercial and industrial projects
- Industrial technical services
Our role goes beyond supplying individual products. Our teams help customers review applications, identify suitable equipment, coordinate with manufacturers, manage product requirements, and support projects from planning through operation.
With branches and distribution facilities across Western Canada, we combine local service with access to established electrical manufacturers and technical specialists.
Building Canada’s Electrical Strength Together
Canada’s electrical system was built over generations. Expanding it will also be a long-term effort.
Success will depend on practical decisions made project by project: choosing dependable equipment, investing in skilled people, improving efficiency, planning for growth, and maintaining the systems already in service.
Electrification is not limited to one technology or industry. It includes the electrical systems that power mines, treatment plants, factories, buildings, transportation networks, farms, businesses, and communities.
EB Horsman & Son is proud to be Canadian and proud to support the people who build, operate, and maintain Western Canada’s electrical infrastructure.
As electricity demand grows, we will continue working alongside our customers and supplier partners to help deliver safe, reliable, and efficient electrical solutions.
