Across Canada, water leaders are facing a familiar tension: rising expectations, aging systems, limited capital, and a growing list of risks — from cyber threats to climate volatility. Everyone agrees on the challenges. What’s often missing is the alignment between different partners.

Blue Cities exists to close that gap.

This year’s conference brings together senior decision-makers from municipalities, utilities, the federal government, and the private sector into one setting to discuss the topics shaping Canada’s water future. From governance reform to housing enabling infrastructure, from water reuse to cybersecurity, the agenda reflects what water leaders are dealing with right now — and what they’ll be navigating in the near future.

The conference will open with a lightning talk by Peter Weltman, vice chair of the Canadian Infrastructure Council, who will share his thoughts on Canada’s first National Infrastructure Assessment that was released in November 2025. What do we know about the condition of our water assets, and how do we use that insight to make smarter choices over the next decade? For federal funders, this is where national priorities meet community level reality. For utilities, it’s a chance to see how data is being translated into action elsewhere.

Governance takes centre stage at the conference as well. Driven by the Bearspaw Feeder main Independent Panel report and recent legislative changes in Ontario, a number of water utilities are anticipating a change in governance model towards service corporations. At Blue Cities 2026, a panel of experts will explore the implications of transitioning from a municipal water department to an affiliated corporation with its own board.

Blue Cities also tackles the pressure points reshaping investment decisions. Panels on housing growth amid economic uncertainty, adaptive long‑term planning, and private financing explore how municipalities are moving forward without locking themselves into strategies that may not survive the next disruption. For consultants and builders, this is where future market signals emerge — before they show up in an RFP.

Day two widens the lens. Water security, cybersecurity, and water reuse are no longer niche topics; they’re national priorities. Mark Fisher, president of the Canada Water Agency, will provide an overview of the rising challenge of water security. He will also discuss how the Agency is working with governments, First Nations and Indigenous peoples, community groups, and stakeholders to strengthen local, regional, and national resilience.

At its core, Blue Cities 2026 bridges national ambition and local action. It connects those who fund, design, deliver, and operate water systems — so progress doesn’t stall in silos.

If you are navigating infrastructure decisions, program delivery, or long‑term market shifts, Blue Cities is where those conversations happen — openly, practically, and with the people ready to act.