AGENDA
DAY 1: Thursday, October 8 – workshops 
12:00 p.m.
Registration
12:45 p.m.
Welcome remarks​​
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Jessica Linthorne, President and CEO, Nuclear Innovation Institute
1:05 p.m.
Keynote address
Dan Riskin, Biologist | Science Journalist | Author | Television Host
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Dan Riskin has made a career out of being curious. Hosting shows on the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet, writing two books, and most recently, Dan’s curiosity has turned to the subject of curiosity itself—helping audiences harness the power of scientific thinking to solve real-world problems.
1:40 p.m.
NETWORKING BREAK
2:15 p.m.
Concurrent workshops
Jobs start here.
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A live, open-chair conversation bridging classroom to career—exploring how schools, employers and communities can build the real-world pathways that turn local students into the next generation of energy leaders.
Growth starts here.
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An expert perspective on what investment attraction readiness looks like, followed by facilitated tabletop discussions where participants dig into the opportunities and obstacles shaping growth in their own backyards.
Arveen Mann| Investor Services Advisor, Americas, Invest Ontario
Dave Barrett | Service Provider Liaison for Employment Services, Bruce County
Cam Fletcher | Steamfitter Apprentice, E.S. Fox
Delilah Stam-Haldenby | Steamfitter Apprentice, Bruce Power
Moderated by Phillip Craig | Director, Education and Outreach, NII
3:00 p.m.
NETWORKING BREAK
3:15 p.m.
Concurrent workshops
Advocacy starts here.
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An expert-led look at making traction with provincial leaders—followed by a candid tabletop discussion where participants share what has worked in their own advocacy efforts, reflect on their most and least successful delegations, and dig into the challenges that still get in the way.
Resiliency starts here.
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A practical session exploring the tangible steps municipalities can take to build and sustain economic resilience—moving from conversation to concrete action that communities can put to work when they get home.
Joani Gerber | Chief Executive Officer, investStratford
Bill Walker | VP of Government Relations, BWXT and former Ontario Associate Minister of Energy
Mayor Trevor Bazinet | Town of Goderich
Savanna Myers | Director of Economic Development, Tourism & Culture, Grey County
Rhonda Niesen | Economic Development Officer, Municipality of South Bruce
Stellina Williams | VP of Operations & Head of Policy, NII
Jordan Durrer | Programs & Partnership Lead, NII
4:00 p.m.
DAY 1 SESSIONS CONCLUDE
Thursday, October 8 – evening reception 
4:30 p.m.
Guest arrival
5:00 p.m.
NETWORKING
5:30 p.m.
Welcome remarks
Jessica Linthorne, President and CEO, Nuclear Innovation Institute
5:35 p.m.
Remarks from our Reception sponsor
Aaron Armstrong, Teeswater Concrete
5:40 p.m.
2026 Clean Energy Frontier Awards
Third-annual awards recognize outstanding contributions to the local economy and clean energy sector.
6:25 p.m.
Special announcement | Citizens for Bruce C
6:35 p.m.
NETWORKING
7:00 p.m.
RECEPTION CONCLUDES
DAY 2: Friday, October 9 – conference
8:30 a.m.
Registration opens
9:00 a.m.
Welcome ​​
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Conference emcee Rocco Rossi ​​
9:35 a.m.
Greetings
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The Honourable Matt Rae, Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive Industries, Ministry of Energy and Mines
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Luke Charbonneau, Warden, Bruce County and Mayor, Town of Saugeen Shores
9:40 a.m.
It starts here.
Jessica Linthorne, President and CEO, Nuclear Innovation Institute
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Attendees will hear directly from NII leadership about the organization’s work, partnerships and growing role in shaping Canada’s energy future.
10:00 a.m.
What starts here?
Robert Lavigne, Executive VP, Economic Research, OMERS
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Setting the stage for the conference with a look at Canada’s current economic moment and the strategic opportunities nuclear energy represents heading into 2027.
10:35 a.m.
Clean energy starts here. ​​
Eric Chassard, President and CEO, Bruce Power
A candid update on Bruce Power’s refurbishment milestones, power generation achievements and what’s next for the nuclear facility.
11:00 a.m.
NETWORKING BREAK
11:25 a.m.
Industry opportunities start here.
Jessica Linthorne | President and CEO, NII
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Explore how the newly launched Canadian Centre for Space Isotopes will help advance Canada as a global leader in the production, distribution and application of isotopes used in space exploration.
11:55 a.m.
LUNCH
1:00 p.m.
Canadian collaboration starts here.
James Scongack, Chair, Green Ribbon Panel
Making the case for why national coordination—across provinces, sectors and institutions—is the essential ingredient for Canada to realize its potential as a clean energy superpower.
1:20 p.m.
Sector transformation starts here.
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Gary Rose, Executive Vice-President of Nuclear, Canada, Candu Energy, an AtkinsRéalis company & President, Candu International
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​Greg Wolfe, Senior Program Manager, Project Management & Construction, Bruce Power
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Chad MacLean, Senior Director, Business Development & Energy Innovation, Bruce Power
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Olivier Bresmal, Vice President, Quality and Operational Excellence, BWXT
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Moderated by Leslie Davis | Project Resources Director, Candu Energy, an AtkinsRéalis company
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How does a culture of operational excellence drive measurable performance gains? This fireside chat will show results of employee-led transformation projects that are positioning the nuclear sector for long-term competitiveness.
2:00 p.m.
NETWORKING BREAK
2:20 p.m.
Community readiness starts here.
A look at how Bruce C planning, municipal engagement and regional readiness efforts are helping communities prepare for growth, opportunity and long-term success.
Maggie Tieman | Director, Community & External Affairs, Bruce Power
Chad Richards | Senior Strategist, Bruce Power
2:40 p.m.
Safety starts here.
Allison Kueneman| Manager, Member Learning & Development, NII ​
Finish the day where everything energy begins: with safety. We explore projects focused on training for new-to-nuclear employees and the industry’s culture of safety.
3:10 p.m.
Closing remarks
Jessica Linthorne | President and CEO, NII
3:30 p.m.
CONFERENCE CONCLUDES