Alberta Energy Poverty Roundtable

The Alberta Energy Poverty Roundtable is a network of industry, government and community stakeholders that meets regularly to identify the underlying causes and sustainable solutions to the issue of energy poverty in Alberta. Energy poverty refers to “individuals who are unable to afford the energy/fuel needed to maintain their life, particularly as related to heating/cooling.” One useful definition of energy poverty is households that spend more than 10% of their income on home energy.[1] It is reported that 1 million households in Canada were affected by energy poverty in 2011[2], while 1 in 6 (255,000) Alberta households experienced energy poverty.[3]

Our Vision

All people have equitable access to safe and reliable energy to meet their needs.

Our Mission

To reduce energy poverty in Alberta.

Our Objectives

  • Identify causes of energy poverty in Alberta.

  • Build awareness of energy poverty.

  • Influence public policy to enact long term sustainable solutions to prevent energy poverty.

  • Increase collaboration among stakeholders to have collective impact.

What We Do

The Energy Poverty Roundtable is a network of stakeholders in Alberta with an interest and perspective on energy poverty. Supported by the Canadian Poverty Institute, the Roundtable:

  • Meets regularly.

  • Conducts research on energy poverty in Alberta and Canada, detailing the extent, causes and impacts of energy poverty.

  • Identifies and shares best practices for addressing energy poverty.

  • Shares current strategies among stakeholders for addressing energy poverty

  • Consults with stakeholder organizations and persons experiencing energy poverty.

  • Conducts public education with organizations and the general public.

  • Promotes informed public policy.

Our Members

  • ACORN

  • Alberta EcoTrust

  • Alberta Energy Efficiency Alliance

  • All One Sky Foundation

  • ATCO

  • Citizens for Public Justice

  • City of Calgary

  • City of Edmonton

  • Efficiency Canada

  • EmpowerMe

  • Energy Futures Lab

  • Enmax

  • Fortis Alberta

  • Government of Alberta - Utilities Consumer Advocate

  • Vibrant Communities Calgary

For More Information

For more information or to become involved with the Alberta Energy Poverty Roundtable please contact povertyinstitute@ambrose.edu.

[1] Guelph & Wellington Task Force for Poverty Elimination

[2] Homeless Hub Energy Issues Backgrounder. http://homelesshub.ca/toolkit/subchapter/what-energy-poverty

[3] Boyd, R. and Corbett, H. (2015). Energy Poverty: An Agenda for Alberta. Calgary: All One Sky Foundation.