CHA Quarterly Update from the President and CEO
Dear Members,
It has been a true privilege to step into the role of President and CEO of the Canadian Hydrogen Association (CHA) this past July. Over these first weeks, I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to connect with many of you, as well as with our dedicated team and valued partners. The continued developments and progress across Canada’s hydrogen sector are inspiring, and I am proud of the role the CHA continues to play in supporting and advancing this ecosystem.
Over the summer, I had the chance to represent CHA at several in-person engagements that highlight both the strength of our international partnerships and the sustained energy within Canada’s hydrogen sector. These touchpoints with government, industry, and global stakeholders demonstrate how Canada’s hydrogen leadership is being recognized and advanced worldwide.
Recent highlights included:
• A working lunch with German Ambassador Matthias Lüttenberg, where we discussed Canada–Germany cooperation on hydrogen.
• The launch of EverWind Fuels’ new tugboat fleet in the Strait of Canso, an exciting milestone in advancing clean fuels infrastructure.
• Discussions with representatives of the Taiwan Trade Centre, which provided a valuable chance to explore new areas of bilateral collaboration.
In addition to these outward-facing activities, our team has been working hard behind the scenes to strengthen the organization’s capacity to deliver value to members. Since July, we have advanced three key priorities:
1. Strategic Reorganization: We have restructured our management team to sharpen our focus on providing members with value in three core areas: advocacy, knowledge sharing, and networking. To deliver on our renewed focus, we have made several important leadership appointments:
• Kelsey Brooks, Vice President, Western Canada – Kelsey will work closely with affiliate boards in Alberta and BC to integrate regional perspectives into CHA operations.
• Maike Althaus, Vice President, Central Canada – Maike will continue to lead H2 Ontario while expanding CHA’s presence in Quebec.
• Nicolas Hilario, Vice President, Operations and Member Engagement – Nicolas will buttress member engagement while advancing advocacy, networking, and knowledge sharing. Nicolas will also support H2BC operations from Vancouver.
• Wendy Franks, Treasurer – As CEO of Canadian Power-to-X Partners (CPXP), Wendy brings deep expertise and will continue to contribute to CHA through this important role.
2. New Membership Fees & Benefits Framework: Together with our Board of Directors, we have developed a revised membership model that provides greater flexibility based on members’ needs while streamlining CHA’s value proposition.
• I am pleased to confirm that existing members will see no changes to their fees. A gradual transition to the new framework will begin in 2027, and we are committed to working with all members to ensure continued participation in the CHA.
• All new members will join under the revised fees and benefits structure.
3. Federal Pre-Budget Submission: In August, the CHA submitted recommendations to the federal government as part of the 2025 Pre-Budget consultation process. This submission consolidates our advocacy priorities and provides a clear roadmap for how Canada can accelerate hydrogen deployment while strengthening domestic industry competitiveness. Key recommendations include:
• Integrate Hydrogen and Its Derivatives Within Canada’s Economic, Industrial, and Export Strategies — Embed hydrogen in federal climate, energy, trade, and industrial policies to position it as a national economic asset.
• Strengthen Investment Tax Credits — Address regional inequities and broaden eligibility so all provinces and production pathways benefit equally.
• Drive Investment and Rapid Deployment in Canada’s Hydrogen Economy — Expand funding, streamline approvals, and close the cost gap between grey and low-carbon hydrogen.
• Build Out Hydrogen Infrastructure for Transportation, Power, Marine, and Derivative Fuels — Invest in supply chains to connect production with end users and enhance export readiness.
Ensure Long-Term Market Stability — Advance international agreements, predictable carbon pricing, and clear regulations to attract sustained investment.
Looking ahead, the CHA is preparing for an ambitious program of events for the remainder of 2025 that will advance advocacy, build networks, and raise the profile of Canada’s hydrogen industry both at home and abroad. Upcoming activities include:
• September 19-20 – Hydrogen BC FCEV Rally
September 29 – Hydrogen Ontario Networking Event
• October 1–2 – Hyvolution Canada
• October 2 – Alberta Hydrogen Day
• October 8 – Hydrogen Day on the Hill
• October 21–23 – Trade mission to Hamburg, Germany (Hydrogen Technology Expo EU)
• October 29–31 – Trade mission to Taipei, Taiwan (Energy Taiwan)
• December 4-7 – Trade mission to Seoul, Korea (H2MEET)
A full list of our upcoming events can be found on our website.
This is a pivotal time for Canada’s hydrogen sector, and the CHA is committed to ensuring our members are at the forefront of emerging opportunities. With a renewed leadership team, a stronger membership model, and an ambitious program of activities, we are building an organization ready to meet the challenges ahead and accelerate Canada’s role as a global hydrogen leader.
As part of this work, we are now seeking member input on 2026 priorities for the CHA. Your feedback will directly inform our budget planning process, which has just begun, and will help shape the next phase of CHA’s advocacy and programming. We kindly ask members to share their feedback by end of day September 24, 2025.
On behalf of the CHA team, I want to thank you for your continued trust and engagement. We are excited to move forward together—with confidence, ambition, and a shared vision for Canada’s hydrogen future.
Sincerely,
David Billedeau
President & CEO
Canadian Hydrogen Association
