Partners & Funders

Working Together to Get Infrastructure Built

Launched by the Indigenous Power Coalition, this initiative brings together economists, engineers, lawyers, energy policy specialists, and Indigenous professionals with the expertise, relationships, and track record needed to help move interprovincial electricity collaboration from ambition to action.

WTC's partner organizations have each dedicated staff and resources committed to the initiative, bringing deep expertise across the full range of challenges that interprovincial transmission development presents.

Executive Council

Dr. Blake Shaffer

WTC Director, University of Calgary

Blake Shaffer is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Calgary where he teaches and researches on electricity markets, climate policy, and energy transitions. Shaffer had a 15 year career in energy trading, specializing in electricity, natural gas and emissions markets. He strives to bring rigorous evidence to help policy makers craft better policy.

Kwatuuma Cole Sayers

Indigenous Power Coalition Liaison

Kwatuuma Cole Sayers is a member of the Hupačasath Nation. He is an experienced clean energy leader known for skillfully engaging and assisting Indigenous Nations and organizations in navigating the energy transition and creating opportunities in clean energy and technology. Kwatuuma is a powerful advocate for First Nations-led and partnered projects, and for innovative policies that advance reconciliation, achieve climate targets, and foster sustainable economic growth. Prior to joining Indigenous Power Coalition, Kwatuuma was the Executive Director of Clean Energy Association of British Columbia.

Blaise Fontaine

Co-Founder and Indigenous Engagement Director, Indigenous Power Coalition

Blaise Fontaine is an award-winning Indigenous and public engagement professional. She is the Director of Engagement and co-founder of ProACTIVE Planning and started her career in Indigenous and Community Engagement 17 years ago. Guided by ancestral teachings of connection and kinship, Blaise insists on treating all communities as if they were her own by bringing honesty, respect, and prosperity at every turn in her work. Blaise’s intentional methodology for working on energy projects is premised on Indigenous self-determination and advancing the priorities and interests of Indigenous Nations.

Madeleine McPherson

WTC Research Director, University of Victoria

Madeleine McPherson, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the department of Civil Engineering at the University of Victoria and principal investigator of the Sustainable Energy Systems Integration & Transitions (SESIT) Group. McPherson and her team develop and apply energy system analysis tools focused on grid design and operations, demand-side pathways, and the economic impacts of projects and policies. As co-founder of the Energy Modelling Hub, she leads efforts to convene a national dialog between modelers and stakeholders around decarbonizing Canada’s energy system.

Evan Wilson

WTC Provincial Engagement Director, The Transition Accelerator

Evan Wilson is the Executive Director of Electrifying Canada at the Transition Accelerator. With over 15 years of experience working on public policy in the energy sector, Evan was most recently the VP for Western Canada and National Affairs with the Canadian Renewable Energy Association. Prior to that Evan worked with the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association and at Global Public Affairs.