Canadian Electric School Bus Alliance | Strategic Planning: CESBA Members Gather in Ottawa

Strategic Planning: CESBA Members Gather in Ottawa

Coming together to advance the ESB transition

Published June 25, 2025

Why We Came Together

In May 2025, Green Communities Canada and Équiterre co-hosted the Canadian Electric School Bus Alliance (CESBA) Partners Convening in Ottawa, bringing together CESBA members, funders, and partners from across the country. Spanning a day and a half, the convening was designed to strengthen collaboration and chart a clear path forward for the adoption of electric school buses (ESBs) in Canada.

Why Electric School Buses?

ESBs are more than just a cleaner way to get kids to school–they’re a strategic entry point for broader change. ESBs offer powerful health, environmental, and economic benefits, making them a case study for transportation electrification in Canada. For more information on the benefits of ESBs, read our latest report.

With recent shifts in the political and funding landscape—including cuts to the Zero Emission Transit Fund (ZETF), industry uncertainty, and a federal election—this was a timely opportunity to regroup, reflect, and realign.

During the event, participants engaged in a series of activities that helped attendees connect, gain a clearer understanding of the ESB landscape, and identify actionable steps to advance this work. In a rapidly evolving environment, this gathering reinforced the power of collaboration and collective action to drive meaningful, lasting change.

What We Did

Session 1: State of ESBs in Canada

Équiterre shared key insights from the CESBA 2025 Recommendations Report, grounding participants in the latest sector trends and policy directions. A panel featuring Kevin Langs (Langs Lines Bus), Maddy Ewing (Dunsky Energy+Climate), and Miriam Ponette (Green Communities Canada) followed, offering diverse perspectives on ESB operations, technology, and equity.

Session 2: CESBA Progress

Green Communities Canada provided an update on CESBA’s progress and upcoming activities. Anna Côté (EcoAdvisors) then presented a regional and SWOT analysis, along with a theory of change, offering a strategic lens for future planning.

Session 3: Strategic Planning

Anna Côté and Hari Balasubramanian (EcoAdvisors) led a collaborative workshop focused on refining the strategic direction for Phase 3 of the program. Through open discussion, participants explored key themes such as advocacy, communications, and community engagement, ultimately identifying shared priorities and actionable next steps for the program.

Session 4: Government Relations

Aaron Freeman of Pivot Strategic Consulting facilitated a session that deepened participants’ understanding of federal decision-making processes. The workshop helped clarify who the key players are, how to engage them effectively, and what advocacy strategies could best support ESB advancement in the current political context.

Session 5: Bus Depot Visit

The event concluded with a site visit to Autobus Campeau’s depot in Gatineau, hosted by Director Jonathan Lauzon. Participants toured an ESB, explored charging infrastructure, and had the opportunity to ask in-depth questions.

What’s Next?

CESBA members identified several key priorities to guide collective action in the months and years ahead. Three central priorities emerged:

Leverage the ZETF restructuring to engage federal policymakers and to advocate for increased, dedicated funding for ESBs.
Mobilize grassroots, especially from teachers, parents/caregivers, and students, to influence provincial decision-makers and secure ESB commitments.
Support existing ESB deployments by connecting with school transportation authorities and operators.

In addition to these priorities, participants also emphasized the importance of:

Embedding equity in all aspects of the transition.
Researching the workforce impacts of electrification to support a just transition.
Tracking ESB adoption and deployment across regions.
Promoting the potential of ESBs for vehicle-to-grid technology.
Supporting pilot projects to test and scale solutions.
Encouraging interprovincial learning and knowledge sharing.
Strengthening the public narrative by sharing success stories and debunking myths.
Engaging non-traditional allies such as unions, public health professionals, and Indigenous communities.

These priorities reflect a shared commitment to collaboration, equity, and strategic advocacy as CESBA moves into its next phase. Thanks to the financial support of the Trottier Family Foundation. Without their continued investment in the ESB transition, this convening would not have been possible.

Valérie Tremblay

Lead, Sustainable Mobility
Green Communities Canada