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StepUp collaborated with the Ontario Chapter of the Association of Energy Service Professionals to support and co-host an event discussing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the energy sector on Thursday June 8th in Niagara Falls, Ontario. In addition, the event featured a tour of the Niagara Parks Power Station and plenty of networking opportunities in the evening, including dinner at the Niagara Brewing.
Niagara Falls, on the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Mississauga, Attiwonderonk, and Haudenosaunee, has long been a source of natural beauty and economic prosperity for Ontario. The Niagara Parks Power Station, constructed between 1901 and 1905 occupies a unique position in the history of energy and the industrial revolution in Canada. The innovators who brought their technology and resources created a transformational impact on a global scale.
Today we sit at the doorstep of a new era, a new hope for clean energy transformation leading to renewed prosperity in Ontario and Canada driven by Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity. A commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion is integral to enabling the clean energy transition in a more just and effective way. To do this, we need to look both inward at our teams and organizations and also outward to the impact and opportunities of the programming we deliver.
Participants learned more about how systemic barriers for marginalized groups get in the way of both inclusive career development and abilities to participate in our programming in the marketplace, and what leaders in the sector can do about it. Our speakers include:
- Megan Bennett, Director of Communications StepUp Board will share an overview of their Energy Sector EDI Baseline Study
- Mihskakwan James Harper, Business Development Manager at NRStor Inc. will share about his experiences with community engagement in energy projects and his lived experiences.
- Cassie Ogunniyi, Manager, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Indigenous Relations with Niagara Region will discuss how to approach and work with communities in a way that is sensitive and supportive to ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion in program implementation.
- Nancy Mitchell, Program Manager, Diversity Institute – Ted Rogers School of Management, Toronto, will speak to the intersection between EDI and the energy transition.
About AESP Ontario Chapter
The Ontario Chapter of the ‘Association of Energy Services Professionals connects members through networking events and shared learning experiences. Event themes include energy efficiency, renewable and distributed energy, the emerging task of electrification, and industry capacity building. Our member’s shared sense of personal and professional purpose has made AESP the place to connect and grow for over 10 years.
For more information, visit the Chapter’s website aespontario.ca
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