Media Advisory - Key Cabinet Ministers to address the OWA's Power of Water
Conference

Westin Harbour Castle - Toronto, ON October 18-19, 2010

TORONTO, Oct. 13 /CNW/ - The Honourable Linda Jeffrey, Minister of Natural Resources (MNR) and the Honourable Brad Duguid, Minister of Energy (MEny) will address the delegates of the 10^th annual Power of Water Conference on October 18 and 19^th, 2010. Minister Jeffrey will provide the opening keynote on Monday morning.  MNR has leadership on several key matters of public policy of direct relevance to the waterpower industry, including Crown land access, the recently passed Far North Act, Dam Safety and Public Safety Around Dams and the implementation of the Endangered Species Act. Minister Duguid provides the keynote on Tuesday morning.  The Ministry is currently leading a review of the province's Long-Term Energy Plan (LTEP), focused on the role of conservation and energy supply options, including waterpower. The LTEP will inform the next Supply Mix Directive and guide the updating of the Integrated Power System Plan.

Other keynote speakers include Chief Isadore Day, Serpent River First Nation and Jacob Irving, President Canadian Hydropower Association. The conference agenda features seven (7) individual interactive and educational workshops focused on the key issues and opportunities facing the waterpower sector today, several plenary sessions and a two-day trade show. More the 250 delegates have already registered. A full agenda and further details can be found on the OWA website at www.owa.ca.

The Ontario Waterpower Association was formed in May 2001 and represents more than 95% of Ontario waterpower producers. Waterpower is clean, renewable and accounts for more than one quarter of Ontario's energy mix. It is of critical importance in responding to daily and weekly changes in demand. Almost 200 facilities are distributed across Ontario - a strategic security advantage. Waterpower (hydroelectricity) was our first choice for electricity a century ago.  It should be our first choice today.

For further information:

Janelle Bates, Marketing and Membership Services, OWA at [phone] or [email protected]