On April 3, 2023, the Canadian Bar Association’s International Law Section hosted a Brown Bag event on Canada’s potential as a major player in the global hydrogen industry. The event featured a panel of experts who spoke about the opportunities, challenges, and initiatives surrounding Canada’s involvement in the hydrogen market. The event was led and moderated by Dr. Rupak Sarma, a Member-at-Large of the CBA International Law Section.
The panel of speakers featured Brent Lakeman, Director of Hydrogen Initiative at Edmonton Global, Mark Plamondon, Executive Director of the Alberta Industrial Heartland Association, and Patrick T. Maguire K.C, Vice Chair and Managing Partner of Bennett Jones LLP. Each speaker provided valuable insights into Canada’s position on hydrogen and its potential to become a global leader in this field.
During the event, the speakers discussed a range of topics related to the hydrogen industry, including navigating regulatory frameworks and international laws, implementing pilot projects, ensuring safety regulations, and changing government policies to support the growth of the hydrogen market. They also discussed the process of changing utility frameworks to support the production and distribution of hydrogen, as well as identifying potential target markets for Canada’s hydrogen products.
One of the main takeaways from the event was that Canada has a unique opportunity to become a major player in the global hydrogen market, thanks to its abundant natural resources and strong technological capabilities. However, to achieve this goal, the country must continue to invest in research and development, as well as build strong partnerships with industry players and governments around the world.
Overall, the Brown Bag event provided a thought-provoking and informative discussion on the opportunities and challenges facing Canada as it seeks to become a leader in the hydrogen industry. The speakers offered valuable insights into the legal and regulatory frameworks surrounding this emerging field and provided a roadmap for how Canada can position itself for success in the years to come.
Dr. Rupak Sarma is a legal researcher in Edmonton.