2024 BUSINESS + POLICY FORUM
May 7 | 8:00 - 6:30
Sheraton Centre, 123 Queen St. W
Toronto, ON
Advancing Environmental Solutions in Increasingly Uncertain Times
About the Forum
The Business + Policy Forum brings together business leaders, environment and cleantech executives, and senior government policy makers to share information, discuss common challenges, and explore opportunities for growth.
This year’s theme will explore how to advance
environmental solutions in the face of ever-increasing political and economic unpredictably.
Speakers + Panels
Hear from our keynote speaker and expert panel as they explore the growing uncertainty that could impact our sector, and discuss how to successfully navigate during unsettled times and grow your environmental business.
Networking
Enjoy numerous networking opportunities with 150+ business professionals from across the environment and cleantech industry. Plus opportunities to connect with key Ministry policy staff and other stakeholders.
Industry Roundtables
Our popular series of off-the-record policy discussions with Ministry staff. Nine roundtables on: Brownfields, Energy, Climate Change, PFAS, Environmental Infrastructure, Excess Soil, Resource Recovery, Water, and new this year, Labour.
Program
8:00 - 8:45
Registration and Networking
Light breakfast served
8:45 - 9:00
Event Opening
9:00 - 10:15
Policy Roundtable Session #1
10:15 - 10:30
Networking and Transition Break
Keynote Address - Increasingly Uncertain Times and What they Could Mean for the Environment Sector
10:30 - 11:00
11:00 - 12:00
Expert Panel: Growing Your Environmental Business in Uncertain Times
12:00 - 1:15
Lunch and Fireside Chat with the Deputy Ministers
Serge Imbrogno
12:00 - 1:00
Lunch and Fireside Chat with the Deputies
Serge Imbrogno
1:15 - 2:30
Roundtable Session #2
1:00 - 2:30
2:30 - 2:45
Roundtable Session #2
Networking and Transition Break
2:45 - 4:00
Roundtable Session #3
Networking and Transition Break
2:30 - 2:45
2:45 - 4:15
Roundtable Session #3
Reportback on Roundtables
4:00 - 4:45
4:45 - 6:30
4:15 - 5:00
5:00 - 6:30
Event Reception
Reportback on Roundtables
With remarks from Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, the Hon. Andrea Khanjin
Event Reception
Roundtables
9:00 - 10:15
Climate Change
Leveraging Climate Risk Assessment for a Resilient Ontario
Excess Soils
What’s Next With Excess Soils?
Environmental Infrastructure
Building Resilient Infrastructure
1:15 - 2:30
Brownfields
Expediting Brownfield Developments to Create more
Affordable Housing
Energy
Ontario Opportunities for Clean Energy Investment
Water
Innovative Technology Solutions and Models Addressing Infrastructure Challenges
2:45 - 4:00
PFAS
PFAS: Provincial Approach, Policy Tracking,
and Research Updates
Resource Recovery
Managing Uncertainties in Waste Management Planning: Navigating a Path Forward Through a Coordinated Approach
Labour
Employment Outlook for the Environment Industry
Speakers
Minister
Andrea Khanjin
The Hon. Andrea Khanjin, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, will offer remarks at our reception.
Giles Gherson
Giles is the President & CEO of the Toronto Region Board of Trade. He has held multiple Deputy Minister roles, most recently as Minister of Economic Development.
Serge Imbrogno
Serge is Ontario’s Deputy Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks. Previously, he served as Deputy Minister of Energy.
Jason Fitzsimmons
Jason is Ontario's Deputy Minister of Energy. Previously, Jason held the role of Chief Corporate Affairs and Customer Care Officer with Hydro One.
John Wilkinson
John is the former Ontario Minister of the Environment. He serves on the Board of Directors of Greenfield Global and is President and CEO of Wilkinson Insight Incorporated.
Expert Panel
Moderator
Denise Lacchin
Denise is Senior Principal, Environmental Engineer at WSP. She has 30+
years of experience with brownfield development and soil management. Denise is an ONEIA Board Member.
Geoff Boyd
Geoff is the Vice President of Resource Recovery at Walker Industries.
David Harper
David is the President of Kilmer Brownfields. His leadership at the Canadian Brownfield Network (CBN) has encouraged policy and regulatory reforms for brownfield redevelopment in Canada
Anouk Trudel
Anouk is Country Director and CEO of Veolia Canada. She has more than 25 years of experience managing transformational and strategic projects across many industries.
Mark Vanderheyden
Mark is RWDI’s Chief Operating Officer. Since joining RWDI in 1989, he has held a variety of technical and leadership roles. Mark previously served as an ONEIA Board Member and Chair