SWANA DAY 2026

The SWANA Pacific Chapter (British Columbia & Yukon) is pleased to once again host SWANA Day, on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, at Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC

This annual event creates a collaborative environment where a diverse array of waste professionals can gather, learn and network.

Event agenda below.

Register Sponsorship Agenda

SWANA Day – Agenda [Subject to Change]

7:30 – 8:15 AM  Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:15 – 8:20 AM  Welcome and Opening Remarks

8:20 – 9:20 AM  Session 1: Safety in Solid Waste Management: Trends, Risks & Regulatory Updates

Moderator: Kevin Johnstone, Ecowaste Industries

Speakers:

• Carolyn Muller, SWANA
• Shauna-Rae Swanson, GFL Environmental
• Kim Stubbs & Mike Tasker, WorkSafeBC

9:20 – 10:20 AM  Session 2: Reuse and Recycling Innovations

Moderator: Bo Ocampo, District of North Vancouver

Speakers:

• Olatunji (TJ) Awelenje, Habitat for Humanity – Deconstruction, Kitchen Reuse & Large Items Pickup Programs
• Tracey Tobin, City of Burnaby – Bylaws & Lessons Learned
• Daniel Raab, Surfrider Foundation Pacific Rim – Surfboard & Wetsuit Recycling

10:20 – 10:45 AM  Networking Opportunity

10:45 – 11:15 AM  Session 3 – Waste-to-Energy Facility – Proposed Updated Emission Limits and Additional Monitoring

Moderator: Stephanie Liu, Metro Vancouver

Speaker:

• Paul Henderson, Metro Vancouver

11:15 – 11:20 AM  Platinum Sponsor Feature – Strong Data Automation

11:20 AM – 12:00 PM  Annual General Meeting

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM  Lunch and Networking

12:45 – 1:15 PM  Session 4 – Connecting, Learning & Growing as Solid Waste Professionals

Speakers:

• CJ Gagnon, Indigenous Zero Waste Technical Advisory Group (IZWTAG)
• Lynn Belanger, City of Vancouver and Training Committee Member
• Kate Salvador, Sperling Hansen Associates

1:15 – 1:45 PM  Ministry of Environment & Parks (BC Env) Updates

Moderator: Karen Storry, Metro Vancouver

Speakers:

• Pooneh Saheli & Meegan Armstrong

1:45 – 2:45 PM  Session 5 – Excess Soil Management

Speakers:

• Mat Kavanagh, Amrize Canada
• Torin Kelly, Invasive Species Council of BC
• Crissy Anderson & Martin Anderton, Frontline Machinery & Jamie Raymer, Headlands Environmental

2:45 – 3:15  Networking Opportunity

3:15 – 4:25 PM  Session 6: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Updates

Moderator: Mark Kurschner, SWANA Pacific Chapter

Speakers:

• Ira Webb, City of Whitehorse
• Jason Brown, Call2Recycle – Call2Recycle BC Program Updates: New Products and Implementation Timeline
• Mannie Cheung, Product Care Recycling – Product Care Program Updates: Expanded Product Stewardship Requirements in BC
• Chris Campbell, Major Appliance Recycling Roundtable (MARR) – From Wildfire Recovery to Community Resilience
• Rosemary Sutton, Tire Stewardship BC
• Mickey Ho, Return-It
• Lyndsey Chauhan, Recycle BC

4:25 – 4:30 PM  Closing Remarks

4:30 – 6:00 PM  Networking Event – Anvil Centre

Conference Includes

Continental breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided. We will try to accommodate all dietary requirements. Please make note on the registration form in the appropriate fields.

Parking/Transport

• Parking – On-site parking is $13 per day.
• Skytrain – New Westminster Station is only a few minutes walk from Inn at the Quay.

Accommodation

We have secured a block of rooms at the Inn at the Quay, located at 900 Quayside Drive, New Westminster. Room rates start at $189 CAD/night plus applicable taxes and fees. Individual reservations can be made online here, or by phoning reservations at 604-520-1776 or 1-800-663-2001, or via email at reservations@innatthequay.com. Please ensure to quote the SWANA Pacific group block before Friday, October 23 to make necessary arrangements. 24 hour parking for registered hotel guests is $17/day plus tax. Cancellations may be made without penalty with at least 24 hours notice. Otherwise, a one night’s room and tax charge will be incurred.