What a Week in Winnipeg!
f you weren’t in Winnipeg for the National Water & Wastewater Conference, then you missed a great one. Canada’s water leaders met in the middle of Canada, November 3rd to 6th to share knowledge and be part of the best networking experience for our industry.
We kicked off with an Opening Plenary and a fascinating keynote presentation from Pauline Gerrard of the IISD’s Experimental Lakes Area. Pauline is a great storyteller with a great story to tell. The audience was enthralled by the stories of the research being conducted in Northern Ontario and how relevant their work is to our utilities.
We then delivered 2 and a half days of excellent programming that touched on almost every aspect of our industry. We learned a lot from the leadership of the new Canada Water Agency as well as partners at the CSCE and WatersNext. One of the last sessions (that filled the room) was a panel discussion on recent infrastructure failures. I want to thank the water leaders from MetroVancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal and Iqaluit for openly sharing their stories of system failures and lessons learned – lessons we can all learn without being the one in the crisis.
Then, of course, we hosted the best networking – always trying to outdo the last event and ensure a memorable experience. This year, our New Orleans-themed event at the Canada Museum for Human Rights proved to be one fun night of great food and great music. Thank you Team Winnipeg for helping to put this national event together – the RBC Convention Centre, Delta Hotel, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the Dirty Catfish Band, Wow Catering, Winnipeg Tourism, and the City of Winnipeg Water Team.
We’re planning already for 2025! We’ll be in Victoria, BC November 2-5, 2025. Get it in your calendar and get it in your budget! Then start thinking of what you would like to present and send it in!
I also want to take this opportunity to thank Jesse Hulsman for his leadership as President this past year and a special shout-out to Richard MacEwen who worked closely with me for over 3 years as the Association’s Secretary-Treasurer.
Recognizing Jesse Hulsman and Richard MacEwen for their service to CWWA.
Panel on Infrastructure Failures – Nancy MacKay (Calgary), Ken Masse (MetroVancouver), Jean Lamarre (Montreal), Ian Morin (WSP), Vicki Campbell (Epcor) and moderator Carl Bodimeade (Hatch)
The Dirty Catfish Band perform at the Mardis Gras Party at NWWC 2024 Winnipeg.