PROGRAM
Exciting plans for the 2026 Canadian Waterpower Week are underway!
Program development for WaterPower Canada’s 2026 national conference is in full swing. Our CWW Program Development & Planning Committee are working on an exciting lineup of new programming and fresh ideas. We are actively seeking dynamic speakers, compelling topics, and forward-thinking perspectives to shape the 2026 agenda. Have a great idea or expertise to share? Don’t wait — submit your topic today and join us in creating a conference that inspires and drives progress in the waterpower sector!
Harnessing Opportunity: Hydropower’s Next Generation
As Canada accelerates toward its next era of clean electricity, hydropower stands at the center of opportunity. Driving the future of energy production, hydro will power the next generation of installations and empower the leaders who will shape our energy future.
The 2026 Canadian Waterpower Week will explore how the sector’s proven foundation of reliability, innovation, and sustainability can be harnessed to meet the demands of a decarbonized, electrified economy. Moving beyond ambition to action, this year’s program challenges industry, government, and communities to chart practical pathways for “Canadian Electricity 2.0”: scaling generation, modernizing infrastructure, and strengthening collaboration across generations of people, projects, and ideas.
Taking place in our Nation’s Capital, the 2026 national conference and trade show will bring together the leaders who power Canada – decision-makers, policy influencers, utilities, developers, investors, Indigenous and community partners, and the emerging professionals driving what comes next. Across three intensive days, participants will connect, collaborate, and uncover new opportunities to advance hydropower’s role in delivering the secure, reliable, and sustainable energy future Canada needs.
Please note that program development is ongoing and updates are being made daily.
Featured Program Elements
Explore the newest program elements for this year’s Canadian Waterpower Week, designed to spark deeper engagement, foster collaboration, and create space for meaningful connections across the sector.
2026 Canadian Waterpower Week Program
9:00 am – 3:00 pm | PRE-CONFERENCE TRAININGLocation: The Westin Ottawa, Governor General Ballroom III (4th Floor)Programming in development. |
3:00 pm – 8:00 pm | CONFERENCE REGISTRATION OPEN sponsored by BBALocation: Conference Floor (4th Floor) |
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm | WATERPOWER CANADA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)Location: The Westin Ottawa |
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm | TRADE SHOW EXHIBITOR MOVE-INLocation: Conference Floor (4th Floor) |
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm | WATERPOWER CANADA WELCOME RECEPTION sponsored by EnerServ (for all conference attendees)Location: Mill Street Brew Pub, 555 Wellington Street. OttawaKick off Canadian Waterpower Week by getting to know your peers in a relaxed setting filled with music, drinks, and hors d’oeuvres. This is a great chance for all CWW attendees, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and invited guests to come together to network and catch up with industry colleagues, make new friends, create valuable connections, and celebrate our shared commitment to sustainable waterpower and our clean energy future. Mingle with WPC Members and Government Representatives and chat about the future of waterpower all while taking in the breath-taking views of Generating Station No. 2 (today an asset of Portage Power) that holds the distinction of being Canada’s oldest operating hydroelectric station. Whether you are a first-time attendee or a long-time friend of WPC, this exclusive gathering helps set the stage for the impactful discussions that will take place throughout the week. Make sure to add this valuable networking experience to your conference schedule! |
7:00 am – 7:00 pm | REGISTRATION OPEN sponsored by BBALocation: Conference Floor (4th Floor) |
7:30 am – 8:30 am | BREAKFAST BUFFETLocation: Conference Floor (4th Floor) |
8:30 am – 8:45 am | OFFICIAL CONFERENCE OPENINGLocation: Confederation BallroomWELCOME TO THE 2026 CANADIAN WATERPOWER WEEK Canadian Waterpower Week 2026 will commence with introductory remarks from Lorena Patterson, President and CEO of WaterPower Canada who will welcome attendees and introduce the theme for the conference, Harnessing Opportunity: Hydropower’s Next Generation. |
8:45 am – 9:45 am | OPENING PLENARYLocation: Confederation BallroomProgramming in development. |
9:45 am – 10:00 am | NETWORKING BREAK & VISIT THE TRADE SHOWLocation: Conference Floor (4th Floor) |
10:00 am – 10:45 am | CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSION 1 |
10:45 am – 11:00 am | NETWORKING BREAK & VISIT THE TRADE SHOWLocation: Conference Floor (4th Floor) |
11:00 am – 11:45 am | CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSION 2 |
11:45 am – 12:00 pm | NETWORKING BREAK & VISIT THE TRADE SHOWLocation: Conference Floor (4th Floor) |
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm | POWER SESSIONS |
12:30 pm – 1:45 pm | PLENARY LUNCHEONLocation: Confederation BallroomEnjoy a networking lunch, connect with fellow attendees, and get ready for this high-energy lunchtime plenary session. WPC DRAGONS’ DAM COMPETITION Don’t miss the thrilling final round of the WPC Dragons’ Dam Competition! The top three teams will pitch their innovative solutions to a panel of industry leaders — the WPC Dragons — showcasing creativity and ingenuity in solving real-world engineering and energy challenges. Cheer on the next generation of innovators as they compete for top honors and exciting prizes! Click here for more information on the WPC Dragons’ Dam Competition. |
1:45 pm – 2:00 pm | Location: Conference Floor (4th Floor)NETWORKING BREAK & VISIT THE TRADE SHOW |
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm | CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSION 4 |
2:45 pm – 3:00 pm | Location: Conference Floor (4th Floor)NETWORKING BREAK & VISIT THE TRADE SHOW |
3:00 pm – 3:45 pm | CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSION 5 |
3:45 pm – 4:00 pm | NETWORKING BREAK & VISIT THE TRADE SHOWLocation: Conference Floor (4th Floor) |
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm | POWER SESSIONS |
4:30 pm – 7:00 pm | NETWORKING BREAK & VISIT THE TRADE SHOWLocation: Conference Floor (4th Floor) |
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm | CANADIAN WATERPOWER WEEK VIP RECEPTION sponsored by ANDRITZ (by invitation only) |
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm | CANADIAN WATERPOWER WEEK RECEPTION (for all conference attendees)Location: Canadian Waterpower Week Trade Show | Conference Floor (4th Floor)Unwind after a full day of sessions at this relaxed reception. Connect with fellow attendees, speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors over drinks and light refreshments before heading into the CWW Awards Dinner. |
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm | CANADIAN WATERPOWER WEEK AWARDS DINNERLocation: Confederation BallroomJoin us for an evening of connection, recognition, and celebration at the CWW Awards Dinner. The evening will feature the presentation of the Woman of Hydropower Award (in partnership with Women in Renewable Energy), followed by the WPC WaveMaker Awards presented by Lorena Patterson, President & CEO of WaterPower Canada, honoring outstanding contributions and achievements across the waterpower sector. Guests will enjoy a delicious dinner while celebrating excellence in the industry. This special evening also offers speakers, delegates, sponsors, exhibitors, and guests a chance to connect, exchange ideas, and continue conversations sparked during the first full day of conference activities. It’s a time to celebrate achievements, strengthen relationships, and enjoy each other’s company in a warm and engaging setting. |
7:30 am – 9:00 am | BREAKFAST BUFFETLocation: Conference Floor (4th Floor) |
9:00 am – 9:45 am | MORNING PLENARYLocation: Confederation BallroomProgramming in development. |
9:45 am – 10:00 am | NETWORKING BREAK & VISIT THE TRADE SHOWLocation: Conference Floor (4th Floor) |
10:00 am – 10:45 am | CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSION 5 |
10:45 am – 11:00 am | NETWORKING BREAK & VISIT THE TRADE SHOWLocation: Conference Floor (4th Floor) |
11:00 am – 11:45 am | CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSION 6 |
11:45 am – 12:00 pm | LAST CHANCE TO VISIT THE TRADE SHOWLocation: Conference Floor (4th Floor) |
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm | POWER SESSION |
12:30 pm – 1:45 pm | PLENARY LUNCHEONLocation: Confederation BallroomProgramming in development. |
1:45 pm | CONFERENCE CLOSING REMARKSLocation: Confederation BallroomHYDROPOWER – HARNESSING OPPORTUNITY: HYDROPOWER’S NEXT GENERATION As the 2026 Canadian Waterpower Week draws to a close, Serge Abergel, Chair of the Board of Directors for WaterPower Canada and Chief Operating Officer for Hydro-Québec Energy Services (U.S.) Inc., will share highlights from this year’s event, announce the results of the WPC Dragons’ Dam competition, and offer closing notes of thanks on behalf of WaterPower Canada. |
2:00 pm | CONFERENCE CONCLUDED |
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | EXHIBITOR MOVE-OUT |
7:30 am – 8:30 am | Breakfast Buffet sponsored by Hydro-Québec |
8:30 am – 9:30 am | Morning Plenary sponsored by Hydro-QuébecWhile our 2035 net-zero electricity goal was challenging, our ultimate goal is to build a net-zero economy by 2050. This massive undertaking will challenge our ability to plan, design, and build large scale energy projects, and will require development on an unprecedented pace for our industry. Join Claudine Bouchard, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating and Infrastructure Officer at Hydro-Québec; Rodrigue Gilbert, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Procurement Practices, Canadian Construction Association; and other industry leaders as they engage in conversation. |
9:30 am – 10:00 am | Networking Break & Visit the Trade Show |
10:00 am – 10:45 am | CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSION 4Stream A: Planning and Reliability4A – Certifying Sustainable HydropowerJoin Lynn St-Laurent and Christian Turpin from Hydro-Québec as they share specifics surrounding the certification of the Eastmain-1 Development under the International Hydropower Association’s Hydropower Sustainability Standard. Join them for a discussion with those involved in these projects, along with sustainability experts. Stream B: Environmental and Indigenous Relations4B – Snow and Water Digital TwinsHear from Ion Padilla, Co-founder and CEO of Wegaw, and Matt Elgin, Head of Business Development at Wegaw as they discuss their methods of modelling snow and future water runoff with geospatial data and machine learning. Stream C: Operations, Construction and Projects4C – Lessons Learned from the Keeyask Generating StationBarnard Construction, Hatch and Manitoba Hydro will come together to discuss lessons learned from the recently completed Keeyask hydroelectric project. This session will be moderated by Mike Westgate, Vice President, Business Development – Canada, Barnard Inc; and will feature Tom Tonner from Manitoba Hydro; Mike Fuller from Barnard Inc; and Warren Gendzelvich from Hatch. |
10:45 am – 11:15 am | Networking Break & Visit the Trade Show |
11:15 am – 12:00 pm | CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSION 5Stream A: Planning and Reliability5A – Hydropower’s Value to a Net-Zero Electricity Grid & Improving Efficiency. What are the Possibilities?Review of WaterPower Canada’s latest NRCan funded studies. Brady Yauch from Power Advisory LLP will discuss the critical role that Canadian hydropower facilities play in providing essential grid services to maintain a balanced and reliable grid, and Martin Dodge from Hatch will discuss the potential for increasing capacity at Canadian hydropower facilities and the results of their comparative cost study. Stream B: Environmental and Indigenous Relations5B – Climate Change and Impacts / Solutions from Indigenous communitiesMany of the utilities in Canada have plans to address climate change and are working with Indigenous communities to implement those plans. Listen to a panel of Indigenous and Industry experts discussing how climate changes is impacting Indigenous communities and the opportunities for partnering to bring about change. Conversations will also include government funding for Indigenous equity in capital projects, particularly renewable energy projects. Presenters include Muhamud Hassan, Chief of Staff, United Nations Association in Canada; Guy Lonechild, CEO of the First Nation Power Authority; and Christian Matossian from TC Energy. Stream C: Operations, Construction and Projects5C – System Planning and Delivery of MegaprojectsJoin James Burpee; Dr. Kathleen Vaillancourt, President of ESMIA Consultants; and Oskar Sigvaldason as they engage in a conversation surrounding the planning and delivery of megaprojects. Canada’s dominant challenge, from now to mid-century, will be to successfully plan and implement the largest and most expensive infrastructure development program in the history of Canada. This is in response to meeting economic growth, and GHG mitigation targets, and includes a major program of end-use electrification. This places special emphasis on the importance of comprehensive, integrated planning, as well as rebuilding the management capacity, to successfully deliver major infrastructure programs. This will include unprecedented expansion of large-scale hydro and pumped storage developments across Canada. |
12:00 pm – 1:45 pm | Closing Plenary Luncheon presented by Manitoba HydroPowering Through a Changing WorldThis session summarizes the discussions from the past two days. Our path to net-zero begins with the first steps. Join our closing panel to explore our immediate take-aways on this journey. Moderated by Francis Bradley, President & CEO of Electricity Canada, panelists will include André Bernier, Director General, Electricity Systems Branch (ESB) at Natural Resources Canada (NRCan); Dave Bowen, Vice-President of Operations from Manitoba Hydro; and Jean Habel, Director for Quebec and Atlantic Canada at Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA). |
2:00 pm | Conference concluded |
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Additional ProgrammingTECHNICAL TRAINING SESSIONSANDRITZ | Generator Rotor Structural impacts & RefurbishmentsVOITH Hydropower | The Scale of DigitalDigital as an Enabler – How do we best utilize “digital” to help us in our jobs of producing, monitoring, and communicating our changing production levels to balance our business objectives – whether they be saving money, making money, increasing capacity, seasonal contractual obligations, availability, or running to failure? Where does “digital” deliver demonstrable value at the power unit level, the power station level, the fleet level, and across the industry? We could say “digital twin” and imagine that encompasses everything, but we would betray the facts that it takes a LOT of technology to make and maintain a “digital twin”. Join Brent Ward from VOITH Hydropower as he takes a look at the range of uses of digital technology to see what fits where and when and what benefits digital could bring and the resulting trade-offs.These trainings are complimentary for all conference registrants, but please confirm your attendance by emailing conference@waterpowercanada.ca. |
Please note, all sessions are conducted in English. Live translation into your preferred language is available for all plenary sessions.
All times are listed in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The program is subject to change at WaterPower Canada’s discretion.
NEW THIS YEAR!
Half-Hour Power Sessions
New this year at Canadian Waterpower Week, select 30-minute breakout sessions are designed for maximum impact in minimal time.
This dynamic, fast-paced format offer fresh opportunities to learn, connect, and collaborate. Sessions will range from new member spotlights, to lightning talks, interactive roundtables or AMAs (Ask Me Anything). Whether you’re looking for quick insights, practical skills, expert Q&As, or meaningful peer exchange, these sessions deliver focused, actionable takeaways to keep you energized and engaged throughout the conference.
Spaces are limited! Secure your spot today and connect with the industry – become a member and be part of the conversation.
Sessions are subject to availability.
Meet the Regulator – Exclusive One-on-One Meetings
The “Meet the Regulator” program offers attendees a unique opportunity to engage directly with key Canadian regulatory agencies.
This initiative provides 20-minute, pre-scheduled meetings where participants can seek guidance, ask questions, and gain valuable insights on regulatory processes, project approvals, environmental assessments, and compliance requirements.
Whether you’re navigating permitting challenges, looking for clarity on policy updates, or simply seeking to establish connections, these one-on-one meetings offer a focused, productive dialogue with the regulators shaping the future of Canadian waterpower.
Agencies will be announced soon and applications will open in Spring 2026 — subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know when submissions begin!
Past Program
While we’re hard at work developing an exciting new program, please revisit and explore recent Canadian Waterpower Week Programs and Speakers.
