Canadian Electricity Association joins The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of
Public Safety, for the unveiling of the "National Strategy and Action Plan
for Critical Infrastructure"

OTTAWA, May 28 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) today joined The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, for the unveiling of the "National Strategy and Action Plan for Critical Infrastructure." The document is the culmination of a multi-year effort between government and industry to put in place a cross-disciplinary plan for critical infrastructure protection.

"As owners and operators of some of the country's most critical infrastructure, the Canadian electricity sector has participated fully in the development of this Action Plan," said CEA President and Chief Executive Officer Pierre Guimond. "The prevention, preparedness and response to threats to our critical infrastructure, both physical and cyber, is a major preoccupation of our members in their mission to deliver safe, reliable and sustainable electricity to all Canadians."

Of the recommendations in this report, Guimond says: "Information sharing of the kind promoted by this Action Plan will offer government a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by owner/operators, while industry will gain greater insight into the preoccupations of government with respect to infrastructure protection. All will benefit from this improved understanding."

The announcement event was officiated by Rosemarie Leclair, President and CEO of Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc. and took place at the nerve centre for Ottawa's electricity system, their Merivale Road Control Centre. Also participating in the proceedings were: the Honourable Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services for Ontario; and the Honourable Hector Goudreau, Minister of Municipal Affairs for the Province of Alberta.

Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) members generate, transmit and distribute electrical energy to industrial, commercial, residential and institutional customers across Canada every day. From vertically integrated electric utilities, to power marketers, to the manufacturers and suppliers of materials, technology and services that keep the industry running smoothly -- all are represented by this national industry association.

For more information, please visit: www.electricity.ca

For further information: Francis Bradley, Vice President, tel: [phone], cel: [phone], email: [email protected]; Louisa Hood, Director, Communications, tel: [phone], cel: [phone], email: [email protected]