Statement by Lorena Patterson, President and CEO of WaterPower Canada
September 25, 2026, Ottawa, ON – WaterPower Canada welcomes the federal government’s intent in Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, to improve the predictability and coordination of federal project reviews. Faster, more coordinated reviews will help Canada deliver the electricity needed to strengthen energy security, meet growing demand and support economic growth.
For hydropower, that means advancing new generation and transmission while maintaining and modernizing the facilities Canadians already rely on. We support efforts to reduce duplication and better coordinate federal assessments and permitting, including the proposed one-year timeline for federal reviews and decisions following submission of a comprehensive application, as well as a more coordinated federal approach to consultation with Indigenous Nations.
The bill also proposes amendments to the Fisheries Act. Permitting under the Act is the hydropower sector’s most pressing issue and a major impediment to future investment. The changes as tabled do not address the red tape burden and the prohibitive costs the Act imposes on our sector. We are asking Parliament to amend the bill so the Act focuses on significant harm to fish populations and fisheries, and to add the public interest to the Minister’s decision-making factors. These changes would support both new projects and the facilities Canadians already rely on.
Regulatory predictability, meaningful partnerships with Indigenous Nations and responsible environmental stewardship are all essential to delivering the electricity Canada needs. As the bill moves through Parliament, we look forward to working with the federal government to ensure these reforms support timely decisions and address the practical challenges facing hydropower development and operations.
Background Information:
- Bill C-39 includes proposed amendments to the Fisheries Act. Under the Act, as amended in 2019, the death of individual fish can trigger an authorization requirement, including for existing facilities where no new work is being done.
About WaterPower Canada
WaterPower Canada is the national voice of Canada’s waterpower industry. As a not-for-profit trade association, WPC represents producers, manufacturers and developers who collectively account for more than 95 per cent of Canada’s waterpower capacity. The association advocates for the responsible development and use of waterpower to meet Canada’s current and future energy needs.
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Media Contact: Paula Gray, Senior Director of Communications, WaterPower Canada, 613-608-8155, paula@waterpowercanada.ca