IWIRC on the Vine 2026

Join the Western Canada network for the 2026 IWIRC on the Vine Conference in beautiful Victoria, BC, Canada for networking, camaraderie and continuing legal education as we celebrate women in the insolvency and restructuring community.

The conference will be hosted at the historic Fairmont Empress hotel in downtown Victoria on September 24-25, 2026, with optional activities continuing on the morning of September 26, 2026.

In addition to connecting with friends and colleagues over a glass of local British Columbia wine, attendees will have the pleasure of attending a fireside chat with Dr. Janis Sarra and the Honourable Retired Justice Barabra Romaine to hear their stories and observations regarding insolvency law and practice over the course of their respective illustrious careers. The conference will also feature an expert cross-border panel discussing key developments and timely issues on topics such as cryptocurrency insolvencies and obligations of good faith.

Further details regarding the venue, accommodations, transportation and the conference agenda is below. We hope to see you in September!

Venue and Accommodations

We have reserved a block of rooms at the Fairmont Empress (721 Government Street, Victoria, BC Canada) at a special group rate. Reservations can be made online by using the following link: https://book.passkey.com/go/IWIRC2026 or calling the Reservations Department at +1(250) 384-8111 to reserve your room. Please reference reservation code: IWIRC0926 to receive the preferred group rate. Space is limited so please reserve early.

Transportation

All major Canadian carriers like Air Canada and WestJet fly into Victoria International Airport.

The Fairmont Empress is about a 35 minute drive from Victoria International Airport. Ubers, cabs, rental cars and public transit are all readily available.

Agenda

Thursday, September 24, 2026

5:30pm-6:30pm: Registration and Welcome Reception

6:30pm-10:30pm: Dinner at the Fairmont Empress

Friday, September 25, 2026

8:00am-9:00am: Breakfast

9:00am-12:15pm: CLE Programming

Cross Border Panel: Recent Cases and Issues in Canadian and U.S. Insolvency and Restructuring Law with Kelly Bourassa, K.C. (Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP); Michelle Grant (PwC Canada); Dara Levinson Silveira (Keller Benvenutti Kim LLP); Debra Grassgreen (Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones) (90 minutes)

Fireside Discussion with Dr. Janis Sarra and the Honourable Retired Justice Barabara Romaine (90 minutes)

12:15pm-1:15pm: Lunch at the Fairmont Empress

1:30pm-4:00pm: Wine Tour at Church and State Winery

6:00pm: “Dine Around” dinner.* Small group reservations have been made for conference attendees at various restaurants around Victoria to give attendees the opportunity to explore the city and enjoy local cuisine, while networking with other IWIRC members

*We ask that any attendees not able to particpiate in the dinner please advise JJ Burnell and Emily Paplawski by email so that small groups can be properly sized

Saturday, September 26, 2026

8:00am-10:00am – Harbour Walk (optional and weather permitting)

11:00am-1:00pm – High Tea at the Fairmont Empress*(optional)

*The cost of High Tea is additional to the conference registration fee. Anyone wishing to attend should select the “Tea on Saturday Morning” add-in for $114 plus taxes and fees to the conference registration fee.