AltaLink Honoured with Multiple Electricity Canada Awards for Innovation, Leadership, and Sustainability
AltaLink has announced that it has received several significant honors from Electricity Canada, recognizing the company’s ongoing leadership, innovation, and commitment to safety, sustainability, and inclusion. The awards were presented during Electricity Canada’s Powering Partnerships reception, an annual gathering that celebrates organizations across the country that are helping shape the future of the electricity sector. For AltaLink, the recognition serves as a meaningful validation of the company’s culture and long-term strategic focus on community, employee well-being, environmental stewardship, and technological advancement.
Gary Hart, AltaLink’s President and Chief Executive Officer, emphasized that the recognition represents the collective effort of the company’s employees. “Our people are at the heart of every success. It’s their innovation and collaboration that are powering the future of our industry,” Hart noted. He highlighted that the awards reflect not only the company’s investment in infrastructure and technology but also the dedication of employees across all areas of the organization—from field crews operating in challenging environments to office teams designing systems that strengthen the grid. “We’re proud to be recognized among Canada’s electricity leaders as we continue to set a high standard for reliability, safety and community engagement,” he said.
Electricity Canada’s President and CEO, Francis Bradley, echoed this sentiment, noting that AltaLink’s achievements stand out in a competitive and rapidly evolving sector. “AltaLink’s dedication to every aspect of the industry sets a powerful example for the sector. We applaud AltaLink’s efforts relating to mental health advocacy, mentorship, innovation and sustainability,” Bradley said. He underscored that the purpose of Electricity Canada’s awards is to highlight organizations that demonstrate excellence and leadership in ways that directly contribute to the quality, reliability, and sustainability of Canada’s electricity systems. According to Bradley, AltaLink’s accomplishments throughout the year exemplify what the awards program is designed to celebrate.
AltaLink earned recognition across several major categories, each highlighting a different aspect of the company’s culture and operational excellence.
Lifesaving Award – Buddy Up Program
AltaLink received Electricity Canada’s Lifesaving Award for its implementation of the Buddy Up program, a mental health initiative created by CMHA Alberta and the Centre for Suicide Prevention. This award is given to individuals and teams within the electricity industry who have demonstrated exceptional service in preventing harm and protecting the well-being of others. For AltaLink, the recognition highlights the active role employees have played in fostering a workplace environment where mental health awareness is deeply embedded in everyday operations.
The company adopted the Buddy Up program to encourage open conversations, early intervention, and peer-to-peer support within its workforce. The initiative is especially meaningful in an industry where many roles involve remote work, exposure to stress, and potentially hazardous conditions. AltaLink employees were acknowledged for promoting a culture where colleagues are encouraged to “look out for each other,” not only from a physical safety standpoint but emotionally and mentally as well. This emphasis on holistic well-being has strengthened internal trust, increased awareness of mental health resources, and empowered employees to offer support when someone may be struggling.
Women in Electricity Leadership Circle
Another notable honor came through AltaLink’s inclusion in Electricity Canada’s Women in Electricity Leadership Circle. The award specifically recognizes Johanne Picard-Thompson, AltaLink’s Executive Vice President of Corporate Services, for her leadership in advancing gender equity within the utility sector. Picard-Thompson has been instrumental in developing initiatives that promote equal opportunity, broaden professional pathways for women, and embed diversity and inclusion principles into organizational decision-making.
Her work includes mentoring emerging leaders, championing internal programs that support career growth, and ensuring that AltaLink’s policies and culture reflect a commitment to fairness and representation. Electricity Canada highlighted her efforts as an example of the kind of leadership needed to create a more inclusive industry. The recognition also reflects AltaLink’s broader efforts to encourage diversity across all its operations, acknowledging that gender balance and inclusive leadership contribute to stronger teams, better decision-making, and a more resilient organization overall.
Centre of Excellence – AltaLink Situational Awareness Portal
AltaLink’s Situational Awareness Portal has been selected for induction into Electricity Canada’s 2025 Centre of Excellence, a distinction reserved for high-impact projects that advance the electricity sector through innovation, leadership, and community benefit. The portal is a technological platform developed to help AltaLink make faster and more informed decisions during emergencies, including wildfires, severe weather, and other conditions that threaten grid reliability.
The tool integrates real-time data from multiple sources, allowing operators and field teams to assess risks, understand system vulnerabilities, and take proactive measures to protect infrastructure and customers. During recent wildfire seasons, the Situational Awareness Portal has played a critical role in enabling AltaLink to respond swiftly, minimize outages, coordinate with emergency agencies, and maintain public safety. Electricity Canada praised the project for strengthening operational resilience and contributing to a more secure and adaptive electricity grid.
Sustainable Electricity Designation
AltaLink has also once again earned Electricity Canada’s Sustainable Electricity Designation, a national certification awarded to utilities that demonstrate strong performance in environmental responsibility, social accountability, and governance best practices. The designation reflects AltaLink’s ongoing commitment to operating in ways that balance the needs of customers, communities, employees, and the natural environment.
This includes reducing environmental impacts, integrating sustainability into long-term planning, supporting Indigenous and local community partnerships, investing in cleaner technologies, and maintaining transparent, ethical governance standards. AltaLink’s re-designation signals that the company continues to meet—and exceed—the benchmarks set out in Electricity Canada’s sustainability framework.
Together, these awards highlight AltaLink’s multifaceted leadership across the Canadian electricity industry. From operational innovation and safety excellence to mental health advocacy and equity-driven leadership, the company’s achievements reflect a holistic approach to building a stronger, more sustainable future for the grid and the communities it serves.
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