ESG Initiatives
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Our Commitment to Sustainability:

"As a sustainable company, Alectra is committed to meeting today's needs and the needs of future generations by empowering our customers, communities, and employees, protecting the environment, and embracing innovation."

Our company is built on a foundation of sustainability that is woven into our vision, mission, values, strategic plans, and corporate policies. We’ve done this to create enduring value for our customers and the communities we serve. We know that our customers, shareholders, and partners expect higher standards of action and transparency from us, and we are reaffirming our commitment to environmental, social, and fiscal sustainability as part of the way we do business at Alectra.

Our ESG data summary discloses our efforts in addressing environmental, social and governance issues.

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Environmental

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Social

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Governance

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Environmental

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Environmental

Our environmental programs are designed to help Alectra reduce its corporate greenhouse gas emissions and help our customers transition to low-carbon energy solutions with the implementation of innovative technology.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
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  • Alectra has committed to reducing our GHG emissions in order to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Review Alectra Utilities’ Annual Emissions.
  • Alectra Utilities has four facilities that follow Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards – two Gold certified facilities in Markham and Vaughan and two LEED certified facilities in Barrie and Guelph. The new consolidated operations centre to be constructed in Brampton aims to be LEED Gold.
  • Alectra Utilities has 11 solar photovoltaic systems, including two solar carports at our facilities.
  • Alectra Energy Solutions manages the operations of 95 solar photovoltaic projects generating 26.78 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity. Learn more about AES Solar Solutions
  • Alectra Energy Solutions’ streetlighting team now manages over 100,000 energy efficient light-emitting diode (LED) streetlights. In 2020, over 35,000 LED streetlights were installed in Vaughan and Guelph. Learn more about AES Streetlighting Solutions.
  • Grid connected renewable generation by customers in Alectra’s service territory totalled 260.3 Gigawatt hours (GWh) in 2020.
  • Connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) continue to grow. In 2020, the Alectra Energy Solutions-owned battery storage system was installed at Georgian College in Barrie.
  • In 2019, Alectra Utilities established the Green Energy & Technology (GRE&T) Centre, which brings energy innovations to life by identifying, evaluating, developing and accelerating emerging, clean and customer-friendly energy solutions. It is a place where great minds collaborate to power a better tomorrow. The GRE&T Centre focuses on three strategic areas:
  • Alectra Inc.’s* commitment to reducing our climate impact extends to the supply chains we work with. In our competitive procurement process, Alectra will look favourably on suppliers that have developed GHG reduction targets and GHG reduction initiatives. As part of our Request for Proposal (RFP) evaluations, Alectra will consider the maturity and extent of suppliers’ own climate change impact mitigation efforts.
Waste and pollution
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  • All locations with cafeteria service have full organic waste collection.
  • More than 30 per cent of Alectra Utilities customers are enrolled in paperless billing – reducing the amount of paper waste they would otherwise produce. Learn more about Paperless Billing.
Water use
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  • Water use continues to decrease every year as more water efficient fixtures are installed.
  • Since 2016, Alectra Utilities has reduced consumption by 20 per cent from 34,534 m3 to 27,696 m3 in 2020.
Land use/biodiversity
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  • Alectra continues to find unique ways to manage landscaping at our properties to enhance biodiversity and conserve water. There are two green roofs at the office in Vaughan, low-water plants at the operations centre in Markham and a pollinator demonstration garden at the Guelph office.

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Social

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Social

The ability of Alectra to succeed and provide maximum value to our stakeholders is tied directly to the strong, respectful relationships we forge with our employees, our customers, our shareholders, the communities we serve, as well as our business and industry partners. We strive to be industry leaders and trusted advisors, helping our stakeholders discover the possibilities of the evolving energy industry.

Workforce Support
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  • We offer a Continuing Education Assistance Program to all permanent Alectra Inc.* employees to help them pursue college or university-level courses in work-related programs.
  • We conduct annual employee surveys. In 2020, 93 per cent of employees indicated they were proud to work for Alectra Inc.*
  • In 2022, Alectra Inc.* had a 9.7% employee turnover rate.
  • Annually, all Alectra Inc.* employees are required to review Health and SafetyRespect in the Workplace, Code of Conduct and Whistleblower policies. In 2020, 96 per cent of employees completed online training.
  • The alectraCARES Employee Volunteer Program provides Alectra Inc.* employees who volunteer 20 hours at a charity or not-for-profit organization with a $500 donation to that organization. This program aims to support our employees’ efforts to go above and beyond in their communities.
  • Alectra’s Graduate Scholarship in Sustainability Management is presented annually to a student enrolled in the Master of Science in Sustainability Management (MScSM) program at the University of Toronto.
  • The Ontario Energy Network’s Sustainable Development Scholarship, co-sponsored by Alectra, is awarded to a student enrolled in a program focused on sustainable development.
  • Every year, Alectra partners with Cambrian College and Conestoga College to help Powerline Technician students complete approximately 45 co-op placements with our Network Operations team. Some of these co-op students become employed by Alectra Utilities and complete their apprenticeships.
Equity, diversity and inclusion (ED&I)
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  • By the end of 2022, 33 per cent of Alectra Inc.’s* 1,504 employees were women. This is reflected in our Board of Directors (35 per cent women), executive and senior leadership team (32 per cent women) and other leadership roles (supervisor and above, 37 per cent women).
  • In 2020, Alectra Inc.* conducted an anonymous and voluntary Equity, Diversity and Inclusion employee survey to better understand demographics and employee sentiment of inclusion and belonging at Alectra Inc.* The survey results will help identify the areas requiring focus to ensure that programs and policies going forward reflect Alectra’s diverse workforce.
  • Alectra supports local organizations in the fight against Anti-Black racism through a youth tutoring program, ED&I awareness presentations, an Afro-centric children’s book, five scholarships for youth entering post-secondary school and an educational campaign on Black heritage.
  • Alectra has implemented an Alectra ED&I Scholarship with McMaster University’s Director’s College to provide more accessible leadership tools and opportunities to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
  • The commitment to ED&I at Alectra Inc.* extends to the supply chains we work with. In our competitive procurement processes, Alectra will look to work with suppliers that have developed ED&I programs that include but are not limited to: an anti-racism policy, an anti-discrimination policy, and a plan for educating staff to enable a safe, inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplace. As part of our Request for Proposal (RFP) evaluations, Alectra will consider the maturity and extent of suppliers’ own ED&I efforts.

Learn more about ED&I at Alectra.

Safety management
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  • In 2022, Alectra Inc.* had a lost time injury rate of 0.25 (per 200,000 hours worked).
  • Alectra Inc.* employees have completed more than 13,000 hours of safety and compliance training.
  • Alectra Utilities continues to record low lost time injury rates and is recording year-over-year reductions in severity.
  • Community safety is extremely important. Alectra has resources to be safe at home and work, safety around power lines, and safety before your dig. Classroom material is also available. Learn more about Alectra’s electrical safety resources.
Customer engagement
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  • In 2019, Alectra Utilities completed its fourth customer satisfaction survey and achieved a score of 93 per cent. The survey asks customers about a wide range of topics including overall satisfaction, service reliability, customer service, billing experience, and corporate image. The data and feedback from the survey are incorporated into Alectra Utilities’ planning processes.
  • In 2020, Alectra Utilities issued more than 12.9 million customer bills and achieved billing accuracy performance of 99.5 per cent. At the end of 2020, more than 25 per cent of customers had switched to electronic billing, supporting Alectra’s customer transformation strategy to offer increased digital communication channels to customers. 
  • By the end of 2020, Alectra Utilities helped over 47,500 customers switch their electricity rates from Time-of-Use rates to Tiered rates. Learn more about how Alectra educates customers on the right billing choice for them.
  • In 2020, Alectra’s Customer Service Representatives worked from home, responding to over 612,466 customer calls and achieving a 66.9 per cent service level, exceeding the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) mandated service level of 65 per cent. As well, Alectra resolved 82.7 per cent of calls on first contact.
  • Alectra Utilities connected 90.3 per cent of over 7,000 eligible low-voltage customers to the system within the five-day timeline. As well, Alectra Utilities achieved a 98.4 per cent service level in meeting the timeline for over 10,700 appointments for connection or reconnection of services, meter readings, and other necessary work as requested by customers.
  • Alectra Utilities takes a lead role on educating customers and the public on electrical safety, including generation of safety videos and creating awareness of safety topics through a number of different channels. In the 2020 survey on Public Awareness of Electrical Safety, Alectra scored 82 per cent in terms of customers indicating their awareness of electrical safety. 
  • Alectra Utilities’ largest Class A customers have the option of participating in the Industrial Conservation Initiative (ICI) Program. This Program enables large users of electricity to reduce their electricity demand during peak periods, which in turn greatly reduces their Global Adjustment energy costs, allowing these customers to focus on manufacturing and other business initiatives. The Alectra Key Accounts team worked with all eligible customers to educate them on the ICI Program and to provide electricity demand information. These efforts are expected to help Class A customers save approximately $286 million in energy costs.
Communities
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  • Alectra Utilities’ 2020 Capital Plan invested approximately $281 million across our service territory for infrastructure improvements. Learn more about Alectra’s Capital Plan.
  • Every year, Alectra donates approximately $1 million to local charities and non-profit agencies through the alectraCARES Community Support Program. It sponsors efforts that address food security, mental health, child and youth welfare, and other community support services across Alectra's service territory. Learn more about Alectra’s Community Support Program.

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Governance

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Governance

Strong corporate governance is fundamental to Alectra’s long-term success as a profitable organization dedicated to providing our customers and our communities with safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions.

Structure and oversight
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  • Alectra is governed by a 14-member Board of Directors, which is accountable to the shareholders to establish a system of effective corporate governance and to achieve Alectra’s mission, vision, and purpose.
  • The Board discharges its responsibilities either directly or through four committees – the Audit, Finance and Risk Management Committee; Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee; Human Resources and Compensation Committee; and Development Committee. Learn more about Alectra’s Board of Directors & Executive Committee.
Code and values
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  • Our core values are Safety, Respect, Customer Focus, Excellence, and Innovation.
    • Safety – Safety, health and well-being is always the first priority. Nothing is more important.
    • Respect – We care about our people, customers and communities. We take personal responsibility to build trust and promote an environment where everyone belongs and is valued.
    • Customer Focus – We place our people, customers and communities at the centre of all decisions and actions.
    • Excellence – We give the best of ourselves every day. We focus on what’s important and move forward in the right direction together.
    • Innovation – We discover the possibilities. We inspire and empower everyone to constantly improve and create a better tomorrow.

Learn more about Alectra’s Mission, Vision and Values.

Transparency and reporting
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  • Alectra’s governance practices are designed to ensure that all aspects of our business are conducted with integrity and transparency to improve the company’s performance and enhance shareholder value.
  • All Financial Statements and Management Discussion & Analysis (MD&A) and Annual Sustainability Reports can be found on the Investor Relations page of our website.
  • All reports required by the Ontario Energy Board including the annual scorecard, Major Events Reporting, and OEB Applications can be accessed on the Regulatory Affairs page of our website.
  • Alectra has been recognized by Corporate Knights for its commitment to sustainability and transparency. It has appeared on the Corporate Knights Best 50 Corporate Citizens list in Canada for three consecutive years to date.
Financial and operational risks
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  • Alectra has an internal audit function with reporting responsibilities to the Audit, Finance and Risk Management Committee of the Board of Directors as defined by its Internal Audit Charter. Annually, a three-year, risk-based audit plan is developed considering Alectra's audit universe, major operational areas, and areas of high risk or changing risk profile. The audit plan ensures that the various business streams within major operational areas are included on an annual basis. This audit plan is reviewed annually and approved by the committee. Throughout the year, modifications are made to the audit plan in response to changes within Alectra’s operating environment and where an increased need has been identified. Risk elements can be reviewed within the Management Discussion & Analysis documents.
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* Excludes Util-Assist Inc. and Holland Power Services Inc. subsidiaries.

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