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2026 CUIIC Academy Spring Summit

March, 3-5th
Mississauga, ON
Mississauga Grand Banquet Center

The CUIIC Academy, in partnership between Benjamin Media Inc., and The Canadian Underground Infrastructure Innovation Centre (CUIIC) is excited to introduce a new Summit Format for its 2026 events—bringing together leading professionals, researchers, and innovators for an immersive learning and networking experience.

The CUIIC Academy Spring Summit will unite the industry’s foremost experts in Geotechnical Engineering, Tunneling & Microtunneling and Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) for three days of technical sessions, case studies, and discussion panels. This focused format fosters meaningful engagement, collaboration, and visibility for sponsors who want to connect directly with decision-makers shaping underground infrastructure projects across Canada and beyond. Join us March 3-5th in Mississauga, with only 150 seats available!

Attendees will get the chance to earn CEUs from the Engineering Institute of Canada while learning about the most up-to-date advancement and new technologies available to repair and rehabilitate the aging infrastructure.

Municipal & Public Works Scholarship Opportunities:

  • Reduced Registration Fee: $500
  • 1 Free Pass for CUIIC Municipal Members
  • 10% Discount for Groups of 4+ Municipal Employees
View Agenda

Registration Rates

Registration Includes: 

  • Breakfast, Lunch and Coffee Breaks (all days)
  • Networking Reception with Appetizers and Refreshments
  • CEUs from the Engineering Institute of Canada (by request)

All registrants are invited to join us for a Networking Reception!

Register Now
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CUIIC Member Rate

$1500 CAD

Non-Member Rate

$1800 CAD

Agenda

Tuesday

Mar 3

Wednesday

Mar 4

Thursday

Mar 5

March 3 Topic: Geotechnical Engineering

7:00-8:00

Breakfast

8:00-8:05

Introduction

8:05-8:40

The Regional Geology of Southern Ontario With Focus on the Characteristics of Glacial Sediments

David Sharpe, Geological Survey of Canada

8:40-9:15

Managing Subsurface Risks starts with the Geotechnical Investigation

Dave Walters, WSP

9:15-9:50

Application of GBR’s on Trenchless Projects – What Can We Do to Improve ?

Scott Peaker, EnVision

9:50-10:05

Break

10:05-10:40

Geotechnical Investigation for Rehabilitation Projects

Marya Jetten & James Tustin, AECOM

10:40-11:15am

Building Geotechnical Digital Twins

Jenna Roadley, Seequent

11:15-11:50

Protecting Infrastructure in Tunneling and Trenchless Projects: From Settlement Prediction to Damage Assessment

Masoud Manzari, Hatch

11:50-12:35

Lunch

12:35-1:10

The Power of Geotechnical Instrumentation

Rob Mills, Thurber

1:10-1:45

Specialty Grouting and Soil Improvement for Tunneling Applications

Naresh Gurpersaud, Keller

1:45-2:20

Lessons Learnt from a recent microtunnelling project - Scarborough Subway Extension (ATSSE)

Marzieh Kamranzadeh, Metrolinx

2:20-2:55

Tunnelling Challenges Using Sequential Excavation Method in Glacial Lake Deposits in Toronto

Mei Cheong and Franca Costantino, Arup & Metrolinx

2:55-3:10

Break

3:10-4:10

Panel discussion - Owner’s and Contractor's Perspective

John Westland, Ground Truth Engineering Ltd.
Walter Trisi, Metrolinx
Gene Woodbridge, Earthboring
Bryden Berkvens, Enbridge Gas
Ben McWade, Durham Region
4:10-4:15

Conclusion

March 4 Topic: Tunneling & Microtunneling

7:00-8:00

Breakfast

8:00-8:05

Introduction

8:05-8:40

Mechanized Shaft Sinking With Vsm: Safe and Resource-Saving Construction of Shafts and Foundations in Urban Surroundings

Nicola Stefanelli, Herrenknecht

8:40-9:15

Small-Diameter Microtunnelling Installations: Technology and Application Fields of the E-Power Pipe

Jeremy Stenslie & Nicola Stefanelli, Herrenknecht

9:15-9:50

Re-Imagining Tbm Muck: Opportunities Beyond Landfill

Professor Karl Peterson, University of Toronto

9:50-10:05

Break

10:05-10:40

Tunnel Design in the GTA: The Role of Geology and Rock Heterogeneity

Professor Giovanni Grasselli, University of Toronto

10:40-11:15am

Examples From Case Law And/or Generic Examples Derived From Our Personal Project Experience

John Westland, Ground Truth Engineering Ltd., Sharon Gardner and Jesse Vogel, Singleton, Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP

Examples From Case Law And/or Generic Examples Derived From Our Personal Project Experience

11:15-11:50

Best Practices to Mitigate Legal / Technical Risks on Tunnel Projects

John Westland, Ground Truth Engineering Ltd.

11:50-12:35

Lunch

12:35-1:10

Cost Estimating and Procurement Practices

Tamara Kondrachova, AECOM

1:10-1:45

Navigating Geotechnical Risks in Urban Environments: Lessons from Amsterdam and Calgary

Remco Kleinlugtenbelt, Thurber

1:45-2:20

Lakeshore Trunk Sewer and Zone 1 (Z1) Sub-Transmission Watermain

Sarah Lobo, Peel Region and Colin Goodwin, Stantec

2:20-2:55

Advanced Tunnel for the Scarborough Subway Extension (Atsse) Project

Wojtek Sawicki, Metrolinx

2:55-3:10

Break

3:10-4:10

Owner's Perspective (Metrolinx, Region of Peel, Region of Durham, Halton Region)

Walter Trisi, Metrolinx
Sarah Lobo, Region of Peel
Ben McWade, Region of Durham

March 5 Topic: Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)

7:00-8:00

Breakfast

8:00-8:05

Introduction to HDD - Construction & Process

Kyle Verway, Earth Boring & Ali Bayat, University of Alberta

8:05-8:40

Fundamentals of HDD Locating Systems

Siggi Finnsson, Digital Control Inc.

8:40-9:15

HDD Tooling - Motors and Reamers

Rob Folkins, Horizontal Technology Inc.

9:15-9:50

Drilling Fluid Composition and Additives

Brandan McGuire, NorthStar Fluid Solutions

9:50-10:05

Break

10:05-10:40

Geotechnical Considerations for HDD Projects

Stefan Goerz, CCI Inc.

10:40-11:15am

Design Considerations for HDD Projects

Sam Saunders, Associated Engineering

11:15-11:50

HDD As An Investigation Tool

Ali Bayat, University of Alberta

11:50-12:35

Lunch

12:35-1:10

Thermoplastic Pipe Installation Considerations (PE)

Dan Landy, Alliance for PE Pipe

1:10-1:45

Thermoplastic Pipe Installation Considerations (PVC)

Alejandro Ospina, PVC Pipe Association

1:45-2:20

English River HDD Crossing

Bryden Berkvens, Enbridge Gas & Stefan Goerz, CCI Inc.

2:20-2:55

Earthboring Nawash Shore Approach

Kyle Verway, Earth Boring & Sam Saunders, Associated Engineering

2:55-3:10

Closing Remarks

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