The Empire Club of Canada
Hybrid
Thursday, February 26, 2026
In one of the most challenging years for Canada, Ontario took a bold step by releasing its first Integrated Energy Plan, Energy for Generations: Ontario’s Integrated Plan to Power the Strongest Economy in the G7.
Despite the trade disruptions and geopolitical uncertainty of 2025, Ontario remains poised for significant growth in electricity by 2050 – by as much as 65% – driven by the electrification of industry, transportation and building heating, data centres, and rapid population growth. The province’s integrated energy plan will ensure energy remains affordable, reliable and clean for Ontarians safeguarding energy security and setting the province up for long-term success. This vision is grounded in accelerated infrastructure expansion and a commitment to building a more competitive, resilient, and self-reliant economy, with new opportunities for energy exports both nationally and globally.
On February 26, 2026, the Empire Club of Canada will host a critical discussion entitled Power Panel: Energy for Generations – Can Ontario Meet the Challenge? featuring Nicolle Butcher, President & CEO and Ontario Power Generation, Michelle Harradence, Executive VP & President, Gas Distribution and Storage, Enbridge. Lesley Gallinger, President & CEO, IESO will deliver special remarks to set the stage. Lesley’s remarks will be followed by a conversation moderated by Dr. Monica Gattinger, Founding Chair, Positive Energy, University of Ottawa
Find out, are we on track for 2050?
This 2026 panel will explore how Ontario can leverage nuclear, hydro, natural gas, renewables and storage to meet soaring energy demand, modernize infrastructure, and position itself as a global energy superpower – powering economic growth, trade, and innovation for future generations.
Join us for this insightful conversation – a prelude to International Women’s Day – led by women in Ontario who are powering future growth and prosperity for Canadians.
Nicolle Butcher was appointed OPG’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in January 2025.
Among her priorities as President and CEO, Nicolle is focused on ensuring the safe, on-time, on-budget completion of the Darlington Refurbishment, executing the development of the continent’s first fleet of Small Modular Reactors, advancing the Pickering Refurbishment and fleet-wide program of hydroelectric refurbishments, and advancing opportunities for new generation development to meet the province’s quickly growing demand for electricity. Nicolle is a champion for Indigenous economic Reconciliation and working with Indigenous communities, companies, and businesses to achieve OPG’s Reconciliation Action Plan commitments.
Previously, as OPG’s Chief Operations Officer, Nicolle was responsible for overseeing one of the largest, most diverse generating portfolios in North America. Over her 25-plus years with OPG, she has held a range of roles throughout the company as well as senior level positions in Corporate Business Development and Strategy, Renewable Generation, and the energy-related commercial business functions such as energy trading, commercial contracting, and market affairs.
Nicolle specializes in creating an inclusive business culture—one that embraces safety, performance, and operational excellence, while fostering innovation. Under her leadership, OPG successfully delivered a strategic plan that included executing $5 billion worth of acquisitions and building an electrification strategy.
In 2021, Nicolle was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women and Woman of the Year by WIRE (Women in Renewable Energy) and APPRO (Association of Power Producers of Ontario). She is Chair of the Board for both Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, OPG’s U.S. subsidiary, and Atura Power, its gas generating subsidiary. She also sits on the board of Interfor Corporation. Nicolle holds an MBA from McGill University, is a Chartered Business Valuator, and has earned an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
As a wife and mother of two boys, and Jasper the Labradoodle, Nicolle enjoys hiking and family time at the cottage.
Michele Harradence is an Executive Vice President at Enbridge Inc., and President of Enbridge Gas, North America’s largest natural gas utility. Under Michele’s leadership, Enbridge Gas serves 7.1 million customers in Canada and the United States, including homes, schools, hospitals and businesses. Before assuming her current role, Michele was the Chief Operations Officer for Enbridge’s Gas Transmission & Midstream business unit, based in Houston, Texas.
Michele has more than 25 years of experience in the energy value creation chain, including the upstream, midstream, downstream, retail and oil and gas services sectors. She has degrees in mechanical engineering and law, and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. She is a current and past board member of several industry associations, including Vice-Chair of the Canadian Gas Association, Board Member of the American Gas Association and past chair of the Ontario Energy Association.
Under her leadership, the IESO oversees the safe and reliable operation of Ontario’s bulk electricity system, ensuring affordable electricity is available when and where people need it.
As part of its mandate to plan and prepare for the future, the IESO works with sector partners to identify energy needs, develop supply options, drive innovation, and harness data and information for decision-making. The IESO also delivers energy efficiency and demand management programs that contribute to the cost-effectiveness and reliability of Ontario’s power system.
Throughout her career, Ms. Gallinger has focused on driving strategic change within complex organizations to deliver shareholder and stakeholder value. Prior to joining the IESO, she served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Elexicon Energy, a large municipally-owned electricity distributor in Ontario, which she led through a sizeable merger integration. She has also held senior roles in the electricity sector that include Chief Strategy and Financial Officer at the Electrical Safety Authority as well as VP, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs and Chief Financial Officer at Oakville Hydro.
Ms. Gallinger sits on several boards, including the Ontario Energy Network where she serves as Vice Chair, and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization. Prior to joining the IESO she also served on the boards of the Ontario Energy Association and the Electricity Distributors Association. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University, is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Certified Public Accountant (Illinois). She has also completed the Chartered Director and Audit Committee Certified program at the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University.
Monica Gattinger is Founding Chair of Positive Energy, Director of the Institute for Science, Society and Policy, and Full Professor at the School of Political Studies at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Gattinger is an award-winning researcher and highly sought-after speaker, strategic adviser and media commentator in the energy sector. Her innovative research programme convenes business, government, Indigenous, civil society and academic leaders to address complex policy, regulatory and governance challenges. Gattinger is Fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and board member at the Clean Resource Innovation Network and Emissions Reduction Alberta. She serves on advisory committees to Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator, the National Research Council Canada, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, the Ontario Energy Board, the Ottawa Science Policy Network, and Women in Nuclear Canada. Gattinger chaired the Council of Canadian Academies’ Expert Panel on International Science and Technology Partnerships and was a member of the Government of Ontario’s Electrification and Energy Transition Panel. Monica is a columnist for DOB Energy and she received the 2020 Clean50 Award for her thought leadership in the energy sector. She holds a PhD in public policy from Carleton University.
