2026 award winners (pictured from left to right): Susan Ancel, EPCOR; Emily Zegers, Toronto Water; Elvis Oliveira, Region of Peel. Image credit: Joris Yan.

Celebrating Canadian leadership in water

Canadian Water Network (CWN) is proud to host an awards program recognizing individuals whose leadership is transforming the water sector in Canada.

Presented annually, these awards honour exceptional leaders whose dedication and impact are helping build a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable water future. From utility transformation to trailblazing governance, these recipients exemplify the leadership our sector needs — today and into the future.

2026 RISING WAVE

Emily Zegers – Manager of Process, Innovation, and Energy — Toronto Water

Emily has been closely involved in the development of Toronto Water’s divisional GHG Mitigation Strategy. The strategy helps to establish a clear framework and direction for how the division will prioritize and advance greenhouse gas reduction initiatives across operations. This work provides an essential bridge between inventory development, technical understanding, and long-term planning. Emily was also instrumental in forming and leading Toronto Water’s N₂O Mitigation Emissions Task Group.

2026 BLUE IMPACT

Elvis Oliveira — Director of Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Planning, Partnerships, and Compliance — Region of Peel

Elvis has been in the water and wastewater business for over 35 years. He has been involved with Peel for the majority of his career. Elvis has also been involved in developing key programs related to operations, community engagement and source water protection. Elvis excels at sharing and developing knowledge, sharing experiences with a desire to learn, and enhancing the industry.

2026 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Susan Ancel — Senior Principal, Water Strategic Initiatives — EPCOR

At EPCOR, Susan is responsible for supporting strategic initiatives across the entire water cycle. She has a particular focus on financial rate strategies, with consideration of utility resilience and customer affordability. Until recently, she was the director of a water planning department and was responsible for developing the water utility’s strategic plans. In 2021, she was recognized with a Clean 50 award for developing the Integrated Resource Plan for flood mitigation in Edmonton, which considered capital and operational risk mitigation planning, as well as the interrelationships among utilities, insurance, disaster response agencies and the public.

Rising Wave

Presented to a Municipal Water Consortium member in the first five years of management who:

  • Is an impactful leader.
  • Mentors their team.
  • Innovates to solve complex problems.
  • Demonstrates competence, agility, and adaptability.

Blue Impact

Presented to a Municipal Water Consortium member at the executive level who:

  • Represents excellence in utility leadership.
  • Sets clear direction and goals.
  • Is future-focused with an innovation mindset.
  • Demonstrates superior change management.

Lifetime Achievement

Presented to a retiring Municipal Water Consortium member who:

  • Exemplifies visionary utility leadership.
  • Mentors other leaders.
  • Advances equity.
  • Has gone above and beyond to enhance the sector in Canada.

Image credit: Joris Yan.