unGALA 2026

The Pembina Institute’s unGALA will once again be held in January 2026. We’ll all be ready to get together, put on our cowboy hats and celebrate the power of a clean energy future that drives a prosperous, connected Canadian economy. For more than a decade now, the annual Pembina Institute unGALA gathers leaders in government, industry, academia and non-governmental organizations, all committed to developing evidence-based, practical solutions to Canada’s greatest energy challenges. It’s called the unGALA because it’s an unconventional party, beloved for the casual atmosphere and western attire.

The night will be full of delicious eats and plenty of networking with Canada’s who’s who of the sustainability sector, so be sure to secure your 2026 sponsorships early!

2026 unGALA Keynote Speaker

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne

Minister of Finance and National Revenue

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice—Champlain in 2015. He has previously served as Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, as Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and as Minister of International Trade.

Minister Champagne is a businessman, lawyer, and international trade specialist with over 20 years’ experience at large international companies in Europe, particularly in the fields of energy, engineering, and innovation.

Before entering politics, Minister Champagne was Vice-President and Senior Counsel of ABB Group, a leader in cutting-edge technology that operates in more than 100 countries. He also served as Strategic Development Director, acting General Counsel, and Chief Ethics Officer and Member of the Group Management Committee of Amec Foster Wheeler, a world leader in the energy sector.

In 2009, Minister Champagne was named Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. He has served on several boards over the years and was notably President of the Canadian-Swiss Chamber of Commerce and the Banff Forum.

After his election in 2015, Minister Champagne served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance until 2017, when he was appointed Minister of International Trade. During his time in this role, the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement entered into force and Canada signed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. In 2018, he was named Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, overseeing the federal government’s ambitious $187 billion infrastructure investment plan. He was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2019 and oversaw the creation of Canada’s Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations, which more than 80 countries have endorsed. As Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry from 2021 to 2025, he helped attract major investments into Canada, advanced the development and adoption of clean technologies, strengthened research and development, and bolstered Canada’s position in environmental sustainability.

Minister Champagne holds a Bachelor of Laws from the Université de Montréal and a Master of Laws in American law from Case Western Reserve University. He also studied public and private international law at The Hague Academy of International Law, in the Netherlands.

Download the sponsorship package. For sponsorship inquiries for this year's unGALA, please contact Samantha Ward by email.

2026 Organizing Committee

Check out photos from unGALA 2025

2026 Sponsors

Net Zero Emissions Supporter

Sustainability Supporters

Corporate Tables