This year’s celebration connects waterpower to Canada’s economic strength, energy security and growing electricity needs.
October 16, 2026, Ottawa, ON – WaterPower Canada and partners across the country are celebrating the second annual Canadian Waterpower Day under the theme The Power We Have. This year’s campaign highlights waterpower as a strategic Canadian advantage and the opportunity to build on that strength for Canada’s future.
As Canada works to meet growing electricity demand, attract investment and strengthen energy security, waterpower remains its largest source of renewable electricity. Maintaining and modernizing existing facilities, alongside responsible new development, can help meet future needs while creating economic opportunity across the country.
“Canada’s ambitions depend on having the electricity to support them,” said Lorena Patterson, President and CEO of WaterPower Canada. “Waterpower gives us an extraordinary foundation: dependable renewable electricity, infrastructure built to serve generations, and skilled people across the country. But that advantage needs continued investment. The choices we make today will determine how much it can deliver for Canadians tomorrow.”
The 2026 campaign brings this opportunity to life through six connected powers: the power to electrify, grow, build, secure, partner, and protect. As transportation, homes and industries turn to electricity, waterpower helps meet growing demand and supports Canada’s competitiveness. Existing facilities and new projects support work for skilled trades, engineers, manufacturers and suppliers across the country, while electricity generated domestically adds to Canada’s energy security.
Realizing this potential requires fostering partnerships that support Indigenous leadership, ownership and meaningful participation in decision-making, advancing economic reconciliation and creating shared prosperity. It also depends on caring for the waters and ecosystems that make waterpower possible, with environmental stewardship built into how facilities are planned, operated and improved over time.
Canadian Waterpower Day also recognizes the people who put these commitments into practice, from workers maintaining and operating facilities to communities, Indigenous partners and businesses helping shape the sector’s future.
Held annually on October 16, Canadian Waterpower Day marks the anniversary of the inauguration of the original Grand Chaudière Dam in 1868, which harnessed the Ottawa River’s power for the mills that helped build the region. That history reflects the longstanding role of waterpower in building Canada’s energy infrastructure.
Members, partners and the public are invited to take part by sharing their stories through WaterPower Canada’s Powered by Water storytelling initiative and using the bilingual campaign materials available through the Canadian Waterpower Day webpage.
Quotes:
“One of the greatest strengths of Canada’s waterpower sector is the breadth of expertise and experience behind it. From utilities and developers to manufacturers, engineers and communities, there’s an incredible amount of knowledge and ingenuity across this country. Canadian Waterpower Day is a chance to recognize that collective strength and the important role our industry has to play in Canada’s future.” – Serge Abergel, Chair of the Board of Directors, WaterPower Canada, and Chief Operating Officer, Hydro-Québec Energy Services (U.S.) Inc.
“We all have an important role to play in Canada’s energy future. Through partnership, responsible development and a shared commitment to safely deliver the reliable energy we all depend on, we’re helping secure a future that supports communities here at home and strengthens connections across the country.” – Hal Turner, Interim President & Chief Executive Officer, Manitoba Hydro
“Hydropower is one of Canada’s great energy advantages, providing reliable, clean electricity from stations built to serve communities for generations. Our skilled and dedicated employees are sustaining that legacy by operating, maintaining and refurbishing our facilities to provide the clean, reliable electricity Canadians will need in the years and decades ahead.” – Nicolle Butcher, President and CEO, Ontario Power Generation
“For Canadian WaterPower Day, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is proud to celebrate the contributions of utility workers across the country. At Hydro, we know The Power We Have comes from the dedication and commitment our employees demonstrate to providing safe, reliable and environmentally responsible power to our customers.” – Jennifer Williams, President and CEO, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
”Meeting Canada’s growing electricity needs will require us to build at a scale we haven’t seen in generations. Hydropower remains essential to that effort, providing reliable and clean electricity to build a stronger and more resilient energy system.” – Jean Trudel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Innergex
“Several times a year, I have the privilege of visiting hydroelectric power plants that were built decades ago and designed to last for generations. What a privilege it is to inherit these engineering gems. For more than 45 years, BBA has helped hydroelectric producers preserve and optimize them for future generations, while increasing their contribution to the grid through the energy transition. Let’s celebrate the experts of yesterday, today and tomorrow!” – François Vitez, Vice-President, Power and Renewables Market, BBA Consultants
“Brookfield Renewable recognizes hydropower as a strategic pillar of Canada’s energy and economic future. Its scale, reliability, and flexibility are critical to accelerating decarbonization and attracting investment. By advancing responsible hydropower development, Canada can strengthen its competitive advantage in the global clean energy economy.” – Franz Kropp, Senior Vice-President, Operations, Brookfield Renewable
“Canada’s waterpower leaders are building an exciting future, driven by bold ambitions to strengthen our energy security and deliver reliable power across our communities. This extraordinary responsibility demands courage and clear direction as they lead major capital investments and organizational transformation through immense technical complexity. Success depends on uniting leaders, teams and extended workforces around a shared purpose and enabling them to work in new ways. We stand alongside these leaders as partners, helping them translate vision into action, unite their people and build the collective momentum to power Canada’s future.” – Annisha Chakravorty, Founder & CEO, Positive Influence Incorporated
“Waterpower is one of Canada’s greatest strategic advantages, but protecting and growing that advantage requires investing in people. At AquaAction, we’re working alongside partners like WaterPower Canada to develop the next generation of skilled professionals, innovators and leaders who will protect our freshwater resources and power our economy. From classrooms to careers, we have an opportunity to make water central to Canada’s economic and energy future.” – Soula Chronopoulos, President, AquaAction
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