LIEN Annual Conference 2021 – Energy Equity: Using Energy Efficiency to Fight Energy Poverty in Canada

Focussing on environmental health and environmental safety, particularly in the areas of energy and water, Theresa has practised public interest environmental law both in private practice and then at CELA. She has represented clients at the Supreme Court of Canada, Federal Court of Appeal and Trial Division and the Ontario Court of Appeal on a range of matters including pesticide by-laws and the Oncomouse patent. Theresa was co-counsel representing the Concerned Walkerton Citizens in both phases of the Walkerton Inquiry, and has appeared at a variety of environmental, land use and energy tribunals on behalf of her clients. Theresa is co-author of the three-volume annotated Ontario Water Law. Theresa has appeared before the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and Federal Court on a number of nuclear power environmental assessment and licensing matters. Theresa has represented CELA on the Low-Income Energy Network steering committee since its foundation over ten years ago and is a Board member of the Canadian Water Network. Theresa and her husband live in Paris, Ontario where they have raised their four children.

Stephen Hill is an associate professor and associate director in the School of Environment at Trent University. Stephen’s education and professional background span the fields of engineering, biology, environmental policy and corporate strategy. He is an active researcher in the areas of energy and climate policy and community-based sustainability. He was awarded Trent’s Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2011 and the CMHC Award for Excellence in Education in 2012. Stephen also serves as a member of the Sustainable Peterborough coordinating committee and Board member for the Endeavour Centre for Sustainable Building.

James is a Senior Research Associate at Efficiency Canada. For the past 10 years, James has conducted research on energy and environmental politics and public opinion in Canada through a variety of capacities, including two postdoctoral fellowships, research associate positions at York University, Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo, and as an independent consultant. He has also been a member of two cross-Canadian energy-related research networks, prepared several successful research grant applications, and served as organizational and technical consultant at multiple academic associations.

Kirstin is a Community Organizer at Efficiency Canada. Kirstin began her organizing career at the age of 18 when she traveled the United States for three months, living out of a van and advocating for North Korean human rights. Since then, she has completed a bachelor’s degree in Global and International Studies at Carleton University, focusing in Global Development and Economics. During her studies, Kirstin undertook four research projects on subjects at the nexus of economic growth, policy and sustainability. Outside of her current work with Efficiency Canada, Kirstin volunteers with Free Transit Ottawa and is helping to launch a rock climber’s outdoor stewardship organization.

Karim Abraham is the CEO and co-founder of Kambo Energy Group (Community Power & Empower Me), a social enterprise that improves housing and reduces energy poverty in communities often missed in the design and delivery of traditional energy efficiency and housing programming – most notably, Indigenous Nations, newcomers to Canada, and people of colour. Kambo’s holistic approach to housing, social, and energy efficiency outcomes leverages and integrates the interconnectedness and interdependencies that exist within communities.

Sagal Alisalad is an Assistant Researcher at the Applied Economics Clinic. Prior to joining the Clinic full-time, she worked part-time as a Research Assistant for two years. She graduated from Tufts University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Environmental studies with a minor in Colonialism Studies. Sagal has over five years of experience conducting independent research through her coursework, her work as a Gill Fellow at the Tufts’ Center for the Study of Race Democracy, and her prior role as a research assistant at the Applied Economics Clinic. While her main passion in research is environmental justice, Sagal’s other research interests include climate policy, political economy, and the impact of colonial legacies in Africa.