Part 1 of the Faces of the Industry award winners, reflecting a simple philosophy: the electricity sector isn’t made up of companies—it’s made up of people. In conversation with Francis Bradley, this year’s winners showcase the creativity, innovation, leadership and grace under pressure that make Canada’s electricity system. The winners on this episode are Sandra Haskins, Senior Vice President and CFO at Capital Power, Joy Brake, Senior Technical Advisor, System Planning at Nova Scotia Power, and Jeffrey Laninga, Live Line Engineer and Section Head at Manitoba Hydro.

Link:

Read the Faces of the Industry press release on the Electricity Canada website.

Schneider Electric Canada’s President, Emily Heitman, discusses technology, sustainability and energy efficiency with host Francis Bradley. They talk about the challenges to the sector, including fragmented policies and aging infrastructure, as well as solutions including digital tools for energy management and reporting, and incentives for green investments. Emily emphasizes the importance of balancing sustainability with profitability, and the need for modernizing supply chains in a time of geopolitical uncertainty. The conversation closes with Emily’s recommendation for an addition to the Flux Capacitor Book Club.

Links:

Schneider Electric Canada

Emily Heitman at Schneider Electric

Emily Heitman on LinkedIn

Book recommendations:

• Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman.: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11468377-thinking-fast-and-slow

Electricity Canada’s Vice President of Government Relations, Michael Powell, join host Francis Bradley for a conversation about the April 28 Canadian Federal election, through a Canadian electricity lens. They talk about the election results and the campaign, the different narratives about the ballot question, the impact of the US President on the election, and what the campaign platforms had to say about electricity and energy policy. They also talk about what’s next in terms of cabinet composition and the upcoming Speech from the Throne. The conversation wraps with Michael’s recommendation for an addition to the Flux Capacitor Book Club

Links:

Electricity Canada

Michael Powell on Bluesky

Michael Powell on LinkedIn

Book recommendation:

• Lament for a Nation: The Defeat of Canadian Nationalism, by George Grant: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/lament-for-a-nation-the-defeat-of-canadian-nationalism

The Utilities Technology Council (UTC)’s President and CEO, Rusty Williams, join host Francis Bradley for a conversation about the utility industry's technological advancements. They talk about spectrum allocation, rural broadband, cybersecurity, and pole attachments. Rusty highlighted the importance of spectrum allocation, and the criticality of cybersecurity standards. He also emphasized the challenges in workforce development and the impact of AI on utility operations. They close the conversation with Rusty’s recommendation for an addition to the Flux Capacitor Book Club.

Links:

Utilities Technology Council (UTC)

UTC Canadian Technology Conference

Jimmy R. (Rusty) Williams at UTC

Jimmy R. (Rusty) Williams on LinkedIn

Book recommendations:

• The Leadership Genius of Elon Musk, by Dennis Kneale

Power Advisory LLC’s Managing Director, Jason Chee-Aloy, discusses the future of the electricity sector and leadership with host Francis Bradley. With extensive experience in the energy sector, Jason talks about market changes, the MOU between Newfoundland & Labrador, and Quebec, and his firm's role. The conversation touches on the need for bold leadership in the sector, and the need to be mindful of the fundamentals of electricity to unlock Canada's energy potential. They also address current US tariff challenges and hopes for reduced barriers in Canada.

Links:

Power Advisory

Jason Chee-Aloy on LinkedIn

CBC article about Churchill Falls MOU

Royal Bank's Shaz Merwat, lead author of RBC's Climate Institute report "Power Struggle: How AI is Challenging Canada's Electricity Grid," discusses with Francis Bradley the rise of AI and its impact on Canada's electricity sector. They cover AI's increasing power demand, regional differences, the economic impact of data centres, strategic policies for leveraging AI, carbon capture's role, and energy security. They conclude with Shaz's very timely book recommendation for the Flux Capacitor Book Club.

Links:

RBC Thought Leadership

Power Struggle: How AI is challenging Canada’s electricity grid

Climate Action 2025 Report

Shaz Merwat on LinkedIn

The Canadian Hydrogen Association’s President and CEO, Ivette Vera-Perez, in conversation with Francis Bradley about the hydrogen industry in Canada today, what the value chain looks like, the rainbow of different types of hydrogen, and what we are using hydrogen for, including mobility. They also talk about the future of hydrogen and the need for investment tax credits, regulatory alignment, and infrastructure development to support hydrogen's role in decarbonization and economic growth. They close the conversation with a recommendation for a book to add to the Flux Capacitor Book Club.

Canadian Hydrogen Association

Ivette Vera-Perez at the Canadian Hydrogen Association

Ivette Vera-Perez on LinkedIn

Book recommendation:

• Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High, by Kerry Patterson, Stephen R. Covey, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan and Al Switzler

Chief Meteorologist with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a federal agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Sunny Wescott, in conversation with Francis Bradley about extreme weather, the impacts on infrastructure, the cyclical worsening of events, and the challenge of stabilizing the climate. They also discuss what customers should be thinking about in emergencies and opportunities for creative solutions to greater resilience. They close the conversation with a recommendation for a book to add to the Flux Capacitor Book Club.

Links:

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

Sunny Wescott on LinkedIn

Book recommendations:

· The Secret World of Weather: How to Read Signs in Every Cloud, Breeze, Hill, Street, Plant, Animal, and Dewdrop, by Tristan Gooley

President of Bridgehead Security and Senior Fellow at Electricity Canada Ross Johnson in conversation with host Francis Bradley about the recently published second edition of his book “Antiterrorism and Threat Response: Planning and Implementation.“ They talk about the book's genesis and what it seeks to convey. They also discuss the role of the security practitioner, take a detour into the Vulnerability of Integrated Security Analysis (VISA) process and the Design Basis Threat concept, and discuss the need for integration of security measures. They close the conversation with a recommendation for a book to add to the Flux Capacitor Book Club.

Links:

Bridgehead Security

Ross Johnson bio

Ross’ book

Waterpower Canada President and CEO Lorena Patterson in conversation with host Francis Bradley about the role and current state of waterpower in Canada. They talk about the complexity of the regulatory and project approvals regimes, and the role hydropower will continue to play in Canada’s electricity future. She also shares perspectives as someone with experience in energy in a number of jurisdictions in North America. They close the conversation with an excellent recommendation for a book to add to the Flux Capacitor Book Club.

Links:

Lorena Patterson at Waterpower Canada: https://waterpowercanada.ca/about/#lorena-patterson

Waterpower Canada: https://waterpowercanada.ca/

Lorena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorenaapatterson/