Cedric is an analyst with the Ontario region at the Pembina Institute, Canada’s leading clean energy think tank. Cedric leads and contributes to research and stakeholder engagement in areas including electric vehicles, sustainable finance, industrial de-carbonization and Canada’s transition to a clean economy.
His prior work experience includes time with York Region Municipality and the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council, where he specialized in financial model development and policy research, respectively. Cedric gained his master’s degree in economics from the University of Toronto where he focused on energy and healthcare, researching the impact of biofuel production on the long-term co-integrative relationship between agriculture and oil prices.
Cedric has held short-term positions with the Environmental Investment Organisation, the McGill Centre for the Convergence of Health and Economics and the University of Toronto Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies, completing projects in areas including urban resilience and data decomposition automation.
Outside of work, Cedric enjoys art, reading and running.
Contact Cedric Smith
work: 647-478-9563 ext. 218 • tweet: @Cedric_M_S
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Cedric Smith's Recent Publications
Sustainable finance for a safe climate Perspectives on mobilizing capital for a swift, resilient recovery
PublicationThe Pembina Institute and GlobeScan asked financial experts and ordinary investors what Canada’s economic recovery should look like. We found growing interest in ensuring companies have policies in place to consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. Investors need better information to determine if investments are sustainable. And 79% of Canadians think climate change should be addressed with the same urgency as COVID-19.
10 actions to ramp up adoption of zero-emission freight vehicles Freight emissions are expected to surpass passenger vehicles by 2030. Here are 10 ways to build a zero-emission freight sector
BlogWith deliveries on the rise, here are the most important actions needed to accelerate deployment of zero-emission freight vehicles in Canada, including sales mandates, restrictions on high-polluting vehicles, and significant investment in vehicle procurement, charging and refuelling infrastructure, and skills training for workers.
Reducing barriers for the adoption of light-duty zero-emission vehicles Submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development
PublicationOn behalf of the Pembina Institute, analyst Cedric Smith made the following submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development on zero emissions vehicles on November 23, 2020.
Building a zero-emission goods-movement system Opportunities to strengthen Canada’s ZEV freight sector
PublicationAs urbanization, economic activity, online shopping, and the demand for same-day and home deliveries increase, the number of delivery trucks and vans on the streets of Canada’s cities is also growing. This report, a publication of the Urban Delivery Solutions Initiative, identifies 10 opportunities to support the expansion of zero-emission vehicles for goods movement, and to help Canada achieve its 2030 and 2050 climate targets.
Power Play Canada's role in the electric vehicle transition
PublicationCanada holds a prominent stake in the global automotive industry, but that position could be strengthened with stronger action to support the transition to electric vehicles.
