PAW 2026

If you have already registered to attend the 2026 PAW International Congress but have not yet pre-registered for a complimentary tour package, please click here to complete your booking. Spots are limited! Click the 'more info' icon for a list of tour times and description.  

PAW 2026 is a high-level event showcasing the responsible development of energy and mining projects, solutions and technologies to support thriving, healthy communities for a sustainable future, which is in line with the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A day of optional, free-of-charge tours (pre-registration required) is scheduled for October 20, 2026. Attendees will have the opportunity to pre-register for a tour during the Congress registration checkout process. Full details and tour descriptions can be found below.

The main Congress will take place on October 21 and 22, 2026, featuring a dynamic program of keynote speakers, panel discussions, student poster sessions, and more from leading institutions and experts around the world who are at the forefront of critical minerals, sustainable energy and healthy communities.

The PAW 2026 Congress on “Critical connections: The path to responsible minerals, sustainable energy and thriving communities” will bring together thought leaders of government, academia, industry, civil society, Indigenous groups, investors, innovators and community organizations. Participants will discuss the latest developments of critical minerals, examine emerging technologies to build secure value-added supply chains with Indigenous rights, environmental justice and community prosperity. The Congress will also explore policies and partnership models to advance and streamline clean technologies, energy transition, emissions and reductions in Canada and the world. The Congress will also reflect on Canada’s place in the world in sustainable and responsible discovery for development in the critical minerals and energy sector.

The Congress will inform, educate and support an environment of interactive dialogue and discussion to stimulate further partnership and collaboration and will include fireside chats, student poster presentations, and a mix of keynote and panel presentations focused on themes related to critical minerals, sustainable energy and health.

Student Rates

Students are eligible for discounted registration rates. To access your student discount code, please email international.office@usask.ca with the following information: Name, NSID (if USask), Student Number, College and Program, and Supervisor (if graduate student). If you are not a USask student, please provide a contact at your institution who can verify your enrollment.

Tour Descriptions

9:00 - 10:30 am: University of Saskatchewan Campus Sustainability Tour

The University of Saskatchewan campus is full of sustainability features both obvious and hidden for the eager
explorer to discover. By taking the Campus Sustainability Tour, you can familiarize yourself with all of the ways that
the university is making itself more sustainable across a variety of areas.

9:30 - 10:30 am: Controlled Environment Facility (Phytotron)

The Controlled Environment Facility, also known as the Phytotron, consists of 183 environmentally controlled
reach-in cabinets and walk-in rooms that can be programmed to produce various environmental conditions, such
as qualities and intensities of light, ranges of temperature and humidity. The cabinets and rooms are available on a
rental basis to clients within the University of Saskatchewan organization.

The CEF is approximately 30,000 sq ft with approximately 8,300 sq ft being chamber space used for growing. The
rest of the space is general workspace and labs. The chambers range in size from 7 sq ft to 178 square ft. There are
150 controlled chambers located in the main area and another 33 controlled chambers located throughout the
Agriculture Building. The CEF recently concluded a $12.5-million major upgrade with the addition of energy
efficient lighting as well as updated chilling units.


11:00 am - 12:00 pm: Canadian Light Source (CLS)

See inside Canada's only synchrotron!

The Canadian Light Source (CLS) is one of the largest science projects in Canada’s history. Their facility speeds up
electrons to produce intensely bright synchrotron light that allows scientists to study materials at a molecular level.
Over 1,000 researchers from around the world use the CLS every year. On your tour, you'll learn about CLS’ history,
how their machine works, and examples of how researchers have used the facility to conduct ground-breaking
research in the fields of health, agriculture, the environment, and advanced materials.


1:00 - 2:00 pm: Saskatchewan Cyclotron Facility 

The Saskatchewan Cyclotron Facility is owned by the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and operated by the
Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation.

The Facility is home to a 24 MeV cyclotron, used by Fedoruk Centre staff to support research and produce a wide
range of isotopes. The Facility also manufactures the nuclear imaging agent fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), which is
needed for PET-CT scans to diagnose cancer in patients at the Royal University Hospital (RUH) and other regional
hospitals.

During your tour, the Fedoruk Centre qualified technical staff will guide you through the facility, including the
adjacent research labs and pre-clinical imaging suite. You’ll learn about the Facility’s history, hear about research
conducted by users, and have the opportunity to safely handle some of our specialized radiochemical and
radioanalytical equipment.

2:30 - 3:30 pm: Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO)

Discover the Science Behind Global Health at VIDO. Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Vaccine
and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), celebrating over 50 years of world-leading research. Learn about our
vital role in protecting human and animal health through a short presentation, get a rare look at the nerve centre of
our high containment operations—and see cutting-edge research in action in one of our labs.

4:00 - 5:00 pm: Campus Walking Tour

New to the University of Saskatchewan? Join us for a fun and informative walking tour that’s all about discovering
the charm, history and hidden gems of the USask campus, one of the most beautiful in Canada!

As we stroll through campus, you’ll see why USask is known for its stunning Collegiate Gothic architecture and
iconic greystone buildings. You’ll visit the College Building - the very first building on campus and now a National
Historic Site, and the Thorvaldson Building, named after a chemist whose work changed the world of construction.

We’ll also wander through the Bowl, a peaceful green space at the heart of campus that’s perfect for a mid-day
pause or a good conversation.

Along the way, you’ll hear quirky stories and learn how USask grew from its agricultural roots into a globally
respected research university.

One of the highlights of the tour is the Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre, a striking circular building designed
by Indigenous architect Douglas Cardinal. The Centre serves as a hub for Indigenous student support and
intercultural engagement, and its design reflects Indigenous worldviews and connections to the land.

Whether you're here to admire the architecture, soak up the history or just enjoy a walk with fellow congress-goers,
this tour is a great way to get to know the campus and feel right at home.

Refund Policy:

• 100% Refund: A full refund, minus service fees, will be provided for cancellations made up to 4 weeks prior to registration closing on October 9, 2026.
• 50% Refund: A 50% refund, minus service fees, will be provided for cancellations made between 4 weeks and 2 weeks prior to registration closing on October 9, 2026.
• No Refunds: No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 2 weeks of registration closing on October 9, 2026.
• Service Fees: Service fees are non-refundable and cover costs associated with processing and handling the registration and cancellation.
• Cancellation Deadline: Cancellations must be made in writing and received within the applicable time frames to qualify for a refund. Please contact international.office@usask.ca to arrange a ticket refund.
• Refund Process: Refunds will be processed within 7 business days from the date of cancellation approval.
• Ticket Transfer: Tickets are always transferable to a different name. Please contact international.office@usask.ca to arrange a ticket transfer.