Stakeholder Advisory Councils
ESA regularly consults with our safety partners. Gaining their insight and advice helps us anticipate and understand electrical-related harm. Their comments make our plans and campaigns better as we work together to reduce serious and fatal injury, damage and loss.
Our partners help us deliver a safer Ontario. They include the public; local distribution companies; electrical contractors; engineers; and manufacturers. They provide feedback through six stakeholder advisory councils:
- five advise ESA management
- one advises ESA’s Regulatory Affairs Committee
The councils help advise ESA on electrical safety initiatives and help advance our safety goals and objectives. Sometimes, we address specific projects or issues through ad-hoc committees or working groups. The Ontario Provincial Code Committee and the Cross-Sector Advisory Council are chaired by ESA management; all other committees vote in a council member as Chair.
Council members commit to a three-year term, and attend four to five meetings each year.
Stakeholder Engagement Principles guide these councils.
Stakeholder Engagement Principles
Consumer Advisory Council
Council members advise on emerging electrical-related issues that may affect the Ontario public. The council recommends ways to advance consumer awareness and identifies areas that may need research.
Read more about the role of this council and its members.
Rod Skinkle (Chair)
Sandy Manners (Vice-Chair)
Larry Allison
Julia Budahazy
Sunaina Menezes
Tammie Orifa
Contractor Advisory Council
This council advises ESA on how to improve contractor-related services. It makes recommendations to enhance strategies and policies. It also helps build a collaborative approach that reinforces existing partnerships and builds new relationships within the industry.
Read more about the role of the council and its members.
Dave Ackison (Chair)
Clint Attard
Ron Bergeron
Shawn Blacklock
Ryan Delisle
Mark Hopkins
Joe Kurpe
Tony Minna
Larry Shaver
Rob Sloan
Robert Smith
Dan Williams
Cross-Sector Advisory Council
This council has representatives from all of ESA’s stakeholder groups. They help us identify safety issues and trends that may affect electrical safety. Members help guide our policies, procedures and services.
Read more about the role of the council and its members.
Joe Kurpe
Ysni Semsedini
Rod Skinkle
ECRA Advisory Council
This council gets feedback from Licensed Electrical Contractors, municipalities and the public. Discussions relate to licensing, exams, registration and certification in Ontario. The council advises ESA’s Regulatory Affairs Committee.
Read more about the role of the council and its members.
Joe Kurpe (Chair)
Larry Allison
Matthew Aston
Vince De Gasperis
Steve Del Guidice
Leo Grellette
Cameron Hann
Debra Mattina
Brian Smith
Larry Shaver
Catherine Taylor
Ontario Provincial Code Committee
Members of this council include inspectors, electrical contracting companies and general interest groups. It provides recommendations and comment on new proposals or revisions to the Electrical Safety Code.
Read more about the role of the council and its members.
Ted Olechna, ESA (Chair)
Malcolm Brown
Barry Buchanan
George Chelvanayagam
Kathi Farmer
Mel Fruitman
Vladimir Gagachev
Phil Lasek
Martin Lem
Chris Magnusson
Pierre McDonald
Peter Olders
Tim Pope
Eerik Randsalu
Dave Sinclair
Robert Smith
Utility Advisory Council
The Utility Advisory Council helps identify, monitor and reduce electrical safety incidents and fatalities related to Electrical Distribution Safety System. Members also make recommendations on new proposals or revisions to the Electrical Safety Distribution Regulation and guideline.
Read more about the role of the council and its members.
Greg Sheil (Chair)
Darren Desrosiers (Vice Chair)
Arthur Berdichevsky
Jim Butler
Stephen Cain
Greig Cameron
Dean Dunn
John Flagello
Ajay Garg
Jeff Graham
Dan Guatto
Mark Humphries
Douglas Lapp
Eric Lucier
Sandy Manners
Tony Pereira
Kyle Smith
Hani Taki
Jenn Vatour
Gaye-Donna Young
For more detailed information on the councils:
Read about why and how we ask for your advice in our stakeholder engagement principles
View all Advisory Council meeting minutes
Want to join a council?
We value your opinions! Let us know you’re interested by filling out this form.