Taking place at the White Oaks Conference Resort on Oct. 29, the conference will feature keynote addresses by Donna Cansfield, Minister of Natural Resources, MPP Jeff Leal, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and George Smitherman, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.

The year's conference agenda includes workshops focused on current issues and opportunities in the waterpower industry including; Dam Safety and Public Safety around Dams; Implementing the Class EA for Waterpower Projects; Waterpower Project Financing and; Business to Business Relationships with Aboriginal communities.

Additionally, an expert panel comprised of representatives from the Ontario Power Authority, Independent Electricity System Operator, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Ontario Energy Board will speak to measures of success.

Due to the tremendous interest in this conference, the deadline for registration has been extended to Oct. 15.

For further details regarding the conference, please visit www.owa.ca or call Janelle Bates at 866-743-1500.

The OWA was formed in May 2001 and represents more than 95 per cent of Ontario's waterpower producers.

Waterpower is a clean and renewable energy source and is of critical importance in responding to daily and weekly changes in energy demand.

Waterpower accounts for more than one quarter of Ontario's energy mix.