PTW Toronto Chapter Event Recap: The Rise of Alternative Payments in Canada

On April 23, 2026, the PayTech Women Toronto Chapter hosted an in-person educational and networking event titled The Rise of Alternative Payments in Canada. The event, sponsored by Adyen, attracted 50 attendees, including 22 first-time participants, demonstrating strong interest in emerging payment trends and industry innovation.

Led by speakers Steven Clarke of Klarna, Heather Rogers of PayPal Canada and Alexandra Xu of Tencent - WeChat Pay, the session focused on the evolving payments landscape in Canada, highlighting developments in digital wallets, real-time payments, account-to-account transfers, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solutions and other alternative payment methods. Participants explored current adoption trends, emerging technologies and the opportunities and challenges associated with non-traditional payment solutions.

In addition to the educational content, the event provided opportunities for professional networking and knowledge sharing among individuals working across the payments and financial technology sectors. Discussions centered on the practical applications of alternative payment technologies and their impact on consumers, businesses and the broader financial services ecosystem.

The event successfully advanced the PayTech Women mission of fostering education, professional development and meaningful industry connections. The strong attendance and engagement, particularly among first-time participants, reflect the growing interest in payments innovation and the continued value of chapter-led programming.

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