What to expect at the 2026 Sustainable Energy Conference

Join policymakers, industry leaders, and energy professionals for a full day of learning, collaboration, and discussion focused on Investing in Manitoba’s Energy Future.

The conference will feature keynote presentations, expert panels, and industry insights highlighting workforce development, sustainable technologies, and the evolving energy landscape in Manitoba and beyond.

Attendees can expect:

• Opening remarks from The Honourable Mike Moyes, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

• A panel discussion with industry leaders sharing insights on sustainable energy development and innovation

• A presentation from RRC Polytech and DLF Consulting on Powering Net Zero Through Education–Industry Partnerships 

• A keynote presentation from Martin Boucher, NorQuest College, on advancing clean energy skills and training

• An industry presentation from Kayleigh Schwartz, Pinchin Ltd., sharing how building certification frameworks can help organizations reduce energy use, strengthen climate resilience, and translate assessments into practical, actionable energy management strategies

• Updates and insights from Efficiency Manitoba on energy efficiency initiatives across the province

• Opportunities for networking with professionals from industry, government, and community organizations

Speaker Lineup

Opening Remarks

The Honourable Mike Moyes, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Panel Discussion: Energy Innovation in Practice

Dean Rennie, Manager, Business Development, Southport Aerospace Centre Inc.

Lindsay Hargreaves, Environmental Initiatives Coordinator, City of Brandon

Connie Blixhavn, ManSEA Board and Farm Partner, Killarney

This session brings together professionals from industry, municipal sustainability, and agriculture to explore how energy innovation is being applied across different sectors. The panel will highlight practical experiences, emerging opportunities, and the collaborative approaches that support more resilient and sustainable energy systems. Attendees will gain a broad view of how communities and organizations are putting new energy ideas into action.

Presentation: Powering Net Zero Through Education–Industry Partnerships 

Daniel Lepp Friesen, Owner and Principal, DLF Consulting

Brad Peters, Associate Dean for Academic Programming, Professional Studies and Micro-Credentials in the School of Continuing Education, RRC Polytech

Co‑presented by Daniel Lepp Friesen on behalf of the Manitoba Environmental Industries Association (MEIA) and Red River College Polytech (RRC Polytech), this session explores how strategic, long‑standing partnerships are building Manitoba’s low‑carbon workforce. 

MEIA is a Manitoba sector council advancing the province’s green economy through environmental workforce training, industry collaboration, and support for businesses adopting clean technologies. RRC Polytech is Manitoba’s only polytechnic institution, delivering more than 150 career‑focused programs and industry‑aligned training across multiple campuses, including joint credentials and specialized apprenticeship pathways. 

Together, MEIA and RRC Polytech will highlight initiatives that demonstrate the impact of aligning education with real‑world sustainability needs. This includes the jointly developed Energy Advisor micro‑credential program—created with MEIA, Efficiency Manitoba, and RRC Polytech’s Building Efficiency Technology Access Centre—which remains the only training of its kind offered by a Canadian post‑secondary institution. 

Achieving a net‑zero future requires deep collaboration between post‑secondary institutions and the industries driving environmental innovation. In this session, MEIA and RRC Polytech will examine: 

• How industry‑informed curriculum accelerates climate‑action goals   

• Proven models of collaboration between MEIA, RRC Polytech, and sector partners   

• Practical workforce development strategies that support Manitoba’s net‑zero commitments   

  
  

Looking ahead, MEIA and RRC Polytech are exploring a Wind Turbine Technician training program—an initiative that will require industry participation and investment, along with provincial leadership to recognize and prepare for the future of wind‑energy careers in Manitoba. 

Keynote Speaker: Advancing Clean Energy Skills and Training

Martin Boucher, Dean of Research, NorQuest College and Lead of the Community Energy Innovation Centre

Industry: Certified to Perform: Using Building Certifications to Cut Energy Use and Build Resilience

Kayleigh Schwartz, Team Leader - Building Science & Sustainability, Pinchin Ltd.

Energy efficiency and climate resilience are interconnected; lower loads, stronger envelopes, and reliable systems support both cost savings and emergency preparedness. Building certifications provide a practical, structured framework for reducing energy use while improving operational reliability and climate readiness. This presentation will explore how these tools translate benchmarking and assessments into clear, actionable energy management and resilience measures.

Energy Efficiency Update

Speaker TBD, Efficiency Manitoba

New This Year: Manitoba Renewable Energy Co-Operatives Workshop

We are excited to announce that the Community Energy Co-operatives Canada (CECC) will be delivering a 2-day workshop alongside this year's Sustainable Energy Conference.

The Manitoba Renewable Energy Co-operatives workshop brings together co-operatives, Indigenous partners, regulators, municipalities, utilities, academics, community energy leaders, and other stakeholders to strengthen the future of community energy in Manitoba. Led by

Community Energy Co-operatives Canada along with their member co-operatives and academic partners, this two-day regional workshop will focus on developing a Manitoba-specific roadmap that identifies priority regulatory and policy changes, capacity-building needs for co-ops and utilities, local leadership and hub opportunities, funding and financing strategies, and long-term coordination roles for provincial organizations. Day 1 will focus on building a shared understanding of renewable energy co-operatives, the current context in Manitoba, and a

collective vision for the future of the sector, while Day 2 will provide dedicated time to translate

that vision into action.

The workshop will take place on April 9 and 10, 2026 at the TC Energy Centre in Ile des Chênes, MB. Day 1 of the workshop will take place concurrently with the 2026 Sustainable Energy Conference. Attendees can register for both days of the workshop online through ManSEA's website, and will be welcome to join the conference for networking breaks and lunch. Day 2 of the workshop will be held independently of the ManSEA conference.

To register for the CECC Manitoba Renewable Energy Co-Operatives Workshop, please choose the CECC Workshop ticket below.

The target audience for this workshop includes municipal leaders, individuals interested in leading community energy projects, Indigenous energy leaders, policy makers, regulators, and clean energy organizations.