David Booth, Driving’s Senior Writer, has a Bachelor’s degree in engineering complemented by decades working as an automotive journalist and commentator. He has a cynic’s view of politics, a child’s wonder for anything powerful and an engineer’s curiosity about how things work, all crucial for dissecting and disseminating the technology the industry constantly springs on us. And for the record, he thinks hybridization is the future, worships at the altar of supercars and absolutely adores his motorcycles, so his perfect vehicle is a 700-horsepower plug-in with two wheels.

Stephen Beatty is Vice President and Corporate Secretary of Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI), based out of the head office in Toronto, Ontario. He is responsible for the company’s Administration, Corporate Strategy & Innovation, External Affairs, Information Services, and Legal teams.

Prior to joining TCI in 1998 as National Manager, Government and Public Relations, Stephen worked for 10 years as Executive Director of the Canadian Apparel Manufacturers Institute and the Canadian Apparel Federation, the Ottawa-based national trade associations for the clothing industry in Canada.  In his time with the associations, Stephen led the industry’s efforts to transform itself into a modern, export-based business. He brought to that task extensive experience in strategic planning, policy development, and media relations that he gained as a senior political advisor in Ottawa. His last position before leaving government to join the apparel industry was as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.

Stephen has been actively involved with a number of volunteer advisory boards and was most recently Chair of the Global Automakers of Canada. He was also chair of the Board of Directors of AUTO21, a network of centres of excellence that focuses on Canadian research expertise to improve the global competitiveness of Canada’s automotive industry.

Stephen holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in political studies from the University of Guelph. He also holds a second BA degree in sociology and a master’s in public administration from Carleton University.

Francis Bradley is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Electricity Canada. Founded in 1891, Electricity Canada (formerly the Canadian Electricity Association) is the national voice for sustainable electricity for its members and the customers they serve as the country works towards a Net Zero by 2050 future.

Electricity Canada members include integrated electric utilities, independent power producers, transmission and distribution companies, power marketers, manufacturers and suppliers of materials, technology, and services. The Association supports, through its advocacy efforts, the regional, national, and international success of its members. Francis is the co-chair of the National Cross-Sector Forum, overseeing Canada’s Action Plan for Critical Infrastructure. He also sits on the Steering Committee for the Electricity Sub-Sector Coordinating Council (ESCC), the Board for the Energy Council of Canada (ECC), the Positive Energy Advisory Council, and is a founding Board member of the Canadian Transportation Alliance. At the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (NERC) Member Representatives Committee and Board of Trustees’ meetings, Francis represents Electricity Canada and advocates strongly for its members in their activities related to the Electric Reliability Organization Enterprise, and its role in ensuring the reliability and security of the North American bulk power system.

Prior to being named CEO in June 2019, Francis managed Electricity Canada’s day-to-day activities as Chief Operating Officer since 2014. During that time, he also was a member of the National Advisory Committee of Canada’s Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and was a co-chair with the Standards Council of Canada of the Smart Grid Standards Advisory Committee.

In 2019, Francis created and continues to host “The Flux Capacitor” podcast series featuring discussions about the future of electricity with CEOs, regulators, political figures, and leaders from civil society. The Flux Capacity is currently airing episode 064.

Daniel Breton is President and CEO of Electric Mobility Canada, one of the oldest associations dedicated to the electrification of transportation in the world. This organization has more than 150 members from the whole industry ecosystem including electricity suppliers, light, medium, heavy-duty and off-road vehicle manufacturers, charging infrastructure manufacturers, cities, universities, unions, technology companies, mining companies, research centres, government departments, environmental NGOs, electric vehicle owners’ associations, fleet managers, etc. A former Quebec Minister of the Environment, Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Parks, he was the first elected official in charge of a government strategy for the electrification of transportation in Canada in 2012. He graduated in sustainable carbon management and has written several articles and books on the subject of transportation electrification, climate change, air pollution and energy transition since 2003.