The Future of Climate & Energy

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Speaker:

• Giles Gherson, President & CEO, Toronto Region Board of Trade

This discussion will explore the role of building and scaling energy storage in an expanded grid and how it enables other forms of energy as well as explore what else Ontario could do to enhance its energy competitiveness.

Speaker: 

• Annette Verschuren, Chair and CEO, NRStor

Moderator:

• Shawn McCarthy, Senior Counsel, Sussex Strategy Group

Annette Verschuren, Chair and CEO, NRStor

Annette Verschuren is the founder, Chair, Chief Executive Officer and principle of NRStor Inc. The company develops and manages energy storage projects. Prior to this, Ms. Verschuren was president of The Home Depot Canada. She oversaw the growth of the company’s Canadian operations from 19 to 179 stores from 1996-2011 and led its entry into China. Ms. Verschuren was President and co-owner of Michaels of Canada, a chain of arts and crafts stores. Previously, Ms. Verschuren was Vice President, Corporate Development of Imasco Ltd. and Executive Vice President of Canada Development Investment Corporation.

Annette Verschuren is the Chair of the Ontario Energy Association and member of the IESO Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC). Ms. Verschuren sits on the corporate boards of Liberty Mutual, CNRL, Air Canada and Saputo. She is Chair of Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) and of the MaRS Discovery District Board.

Ms. Verschuren is the Chancellor of Cape Breton University and is on the Board of the Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment, (VCSEE).

Annette Verschuren has received numerus Honourary Doctorates from Canadian universities including her alma mater, St. Francis Xavier University. She is a founding member of the Rideau Hall Foundation.

Annette Verschuren is a Companion of the Canadian Business Hall of Fame. She was named as on Officer to the Order of Canada for her contributions to the retail industry and corporate social responsibility.

Ms. Verschuren wrote the book Bet On Me, about succeeding in business and in life.

Shawn McCarthy, Senior Counsel, Sussex Strategy Group

Shawn brings a wealth of media and communications experience with a focus on energy and climate change issues. As senior counsel, Shawn consults with Sussex clients on strategic communications, media relations, and stakeholder engagement.

A retired journalist, Shawn has collaborated with the Sussex team on successful media strategies; authored opinion articles for placement in newspapers and participated in and moderated panel discussions. He has supported clients in their pursuit of regulatory approval and funding for clean energy projects, clean tech investments and infrastructure developments. He has an extensive network of media, business, and government contacts to inform his work on energy and climate issues.

Prior to joining Sussex, Shawn had a 40-year career as a reporter, working for The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, and The Canadian Press as a national business correspondent. For the last 13 years, he focused on energy and climate policy and economics. In his 20-year stint at The Globe, he also served as parliamentary bureau chief in Ottawa and the paper’s New York City correspondent.

Shawn holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Carleton University and a BA from the University of Alberta. He previously taught reporting courses at Carleton University’s School of Journalism. He is the former president and current vice president of World Press Freedom Canada, a volunteer advocacy group. He served for several years as a director - including as board chair - at a local charitable foundation. In addition to his role with Sussex, Shawn continues to write and edit for various publications and organizations. 

Shawn is an avid traveler, reader, hiker and Nordic skier. He is a native of Philadelphia and lives in Ottawa with his wife. He loves spending time with his grandchildren.

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This session features senior energy leaders to analyze Ontario’s energy system as it exists today and set the stage for what is needed to reach our climate goals.

Topics will include unpacking Canada’s response to the IRA, including federal tax supports. What has been committed so far, and is there still a delta? What is the balance of taxpayer versus ratepayer financing?

Speakers:

• Jason Fitzsimmons, Deputy Minister of Energy, Government of Ontario
• Lesley Gallinger, President and CEO, IESO

Moderator:

• Adam Radwanski, Climate Change Columnist and Feature Writer, The Globe and Mail

Jason Fitzsimmons, Deputy Minister of Energy, Government of Ontario

Jason Fitzsimmons became Deputy Minister of Energy in October 2022.

Previously, Jason held the role of Chief Corporate Affairs and Customer Care Officer with Hydro One since August 2018, with oversight of the customer service, corporate affairs, marketing, sustainability and Indigenous relations functions.

With more than 30 years’ experience in the electricity sector, Jason is a highly-regarded and passionate business leader with a proven track record for successfully executing large-scale transformations and building strong partnerships with key stakeholders. In his prior role, Jason played an instrumental role achieving record-high customer satisfaction and building strong relationships with customers, stakeholders and Indigenous communities. As a champion for diversity, equity and inclusion, he has served as the executive sponsor for employee resources groups to assist in the development of strategic plans and bring focus to actions that served to break long standing barriers.

Jason previously held the roles of Vice President of Corporate Development and Vice President of Labour and Employee Relations at Hydro One, where he was responsible for driving strategic change, including the in-sourcing of the 400-employee Customer Contact Centre to deliver best-in-class customer service.

Prior to joining Hydro One, Jason held executive roles at the Ontario Hospital Association and Ontario Power Generation. He is a Certified Human Resource Executive known for his passion for health and safety in the workplace and building collaborative relationship with unions.

In 2020, Jason was recognized as one of Canada’s 50 Best Executives by the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business for his ability to guide transformational change while offering industry-leading customer support programs during the pandemic.

Jason was a prior member of Ivey Energy Policy Advisory Board at Western University & the Advisory Board for Toronto Metropolitan University’s Centre for Labour Management Relations. He has also served as an Independent Director on the Board of Directors for the Electrical Power Systems Construction Association and Electricity Distributors Association.

Lesley Gallinger, President and CEO, IESO

Under her leadership, the IESO oversees the safe and reliable operation of Ontario's bulk electricity system, ensuring affordable electricity is available when and where people need it.

As part of its mandate to plan and prepare for the future, the IESO works with sector partners to identify energy needs, develop supply options, drive innovation, and harness data and information for decision-making. The IESO also delivers energy efficiency and demand management programs that contribute to the cost-effectiveness and reliability of Ontario’s power system.

Throughout her career, Ms. Gallinger has focused on driving strategic change within complex organizations to deliver shareholder and stakeholder value. Prior to joining the IESO, she served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Elexicon Energy, a large municipally-owned electricity distributor in Ontario, which she led through a sizeable merger integration. She has also held senior roles in the electricity sector that include Chief Strategy and Financial Officer at the Electrical Safety Authority as well as VP, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs and Chief Financial Officer at Oakville Hydro.

Ms. Gallinger sits on several boards, including the Ontario Energy Network where she serves as Vice Chair, and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization. Prior to joining the IESO she also served on the boards of the Ontario Energy Association and the Electricity Distributors Association. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University, is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Certified Public Accountant (Illinois). She has also completed the Chartered Director and Audit Committee Certified program at the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University.

Adam Radwanski, Climate Change Columnist and Feature Writer, The Globe and Mail

Adam Radwanski is a columnist and feature writer for The Globe and Mail, focusing on the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Prior to beginning his new beat in November 2019, he specialized in profiles of public figures and backroom players, in-depth examinations of political phenomena, and leading coverage of election campaigns in Canada and the United States.

A National Newspaper Award winner, Adam previously served as The Globe and Mail's Ontario columnist, and before that was a member of the Globe's editorial board. He made his start in journalism as the founder of Canada's first online political magazine, was a columnist and editor at the National Post, and was managing editor for online services at Maclean's.

This panel brings together large asset managers to discuss how we move from talk to action in the energy transition. Panelists will share perspectives on common challenges faced by energy projects, and how the public and private sectors can work together to solve them.

Discussion topics will include:

• Workforce development
• Project finance
• Siting and project approvals
• Maintaining community support

Speakers:

• Pat Dalzell, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Bruce Power
• Gordon Lau, Manager, Renewable Natural Gas Business Development, Enbridge
• Andrew Sasso, Director, Energy Policy & Government Relations, Toronto Hydro

Moderator:

• Dave Butters, President & CEO, The Association of Power Producers of Ontario (APPrO)

Pat Dalzell, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Bruce Power

Pat Dalzell is the Executive Director of Corporate Affairs at Bruce Power, a role primarily focused on the development and growth of the corporate identity through government and stakeholder engagement; corporate and community communications; and promoting areas of energy innovation and the use of nuclear isotopes in the fight against cancer. Previous to this, he held the role of Director of Government and Stakeholder relations coordinating partnerships with all levels of government along with key member associations, economic development groups, the electricity system operator and labour representatives.

Pat started his career at Bruce Power in 2011 as a Senior Financial Trader where he worked on the Geographic Diversification Initiative to develop new trading strategies and optimize regional diversification. In 2015, he embarked on a new position with Bruce Power working alongside the Chief Investment Officer helping to oversee the investment and risk management of Bruce Power’s defined benefit pension plan. Prior to working for Bruce Power, Patrick worked as a hedge fund derivatives trader at Aquilon Power.

Pat holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Finance from Concordia University and currently serves on the board of directors of the Canadian Nuclear Association and is the Chair of the Association of Power Producers of Ontario (APPrO). He is a charter holder of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program and completed the Enhanced Plant Operational Awareness (EPOA) technical training certification and the Leading the Business Program at the IVEY Academy at Western University.

Gordon Lau, Manager, Renewable Natural Gas Business Development, Enbridge

Gordon has over 20 years of utility experience in both natural gas and power sectors where he has worked with public and private sectors customers in various industries.  Gordon is currently the Manager of Renewable Natural Gas in the Business Development group for Enbridge Gas in Toronto and manages a portfolio of projects that supports the production, injection, transportation and storage of RNG in the Enbridge Gas franchise area.  Enbridge actively engages with various RNG industry stakeholders and advises on low-carbon solutions to assist customers in reducing their carbon footprint.

Andrew Sasso, Director, Energy Policy & Government Relations, Toronto Hydro

For over 15 years, Andrew has served in a number of senior regulatory, legal, and government relations leadership roles at Ontario electricity distribution utilities.  Andrew has a history of leading major projects that require a combination of organizational awareness, financial acumen, analytical sophistication, and legal nuance.  These include major rate applications to the Ontario Energy Board, an organizational restructuring and refinancing, and Toronto Hydro’s Climate Action Plan. 

Andrew works with governments, regulators, industry associations, and other stakeholders to help develop energy policies that achieve critical outcomes at scale, including safe, reliable, clean, affordable electricity.  Andrew values and prioritizes the front-line expertise of his colleagues at Toronto Hydro as an important foundation for effective policy solutions.  These inputs informed his work as Co-Lead of the OEB Framework for Energy Innovation Working Group, and in working with colleagues to develop an actionable distribution system operator (DSO) model for Ontario.  Andrew brings regulatory expertise and a stakeholder lens in supporting engineering leaders in activities such as future energy scenarios and regional planning.  Andrew is also directly responsible for regulatory analytics, which includes load forecasting, cost allocation modeling, IESO settlement, and other quantitative specialties. 

Andrew holds degrees in business (BComm) and law (LLB) from the University of Windsor in his original hometown, and was a member of the inaugural graduating class of Osgoode Hall Law School’s Masters (LLM) in Energy and Infrastructure Law program in 2014.  Since 2017, Andrew has served as a part-time instructor in the program. 

Dave Butters, President & CEO, The Association of Power Producers of Ontario (APPrO)

David Butters has been APPrO’s president and chief executive officer since April 2004.

Mr. Butters has an extensive background in government, government relations, and corporate and advertising communications.

Prior to joining APPrO he was Vice President, Public Affairs for Hill & Knowlton Canada, with responsibility for their national energy practice. He was also Chief of Staff to the Hon. Tom Hockin in the government of the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney.

He is a member of the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator’s Stakeholder Advisory Committee, representing Ontario generators.

Mr. Butters is a graduate of York University in Toronto.

APPrO is a non-profit advocacy organization representing more than 100 companies involved in commercial electricity generation in Ontario. Its objective is economically and environmentally sustainable electricity sector in Ontario that supports the business, environmental and social interests of electricity generators, consumers and the provincial economy. APPrO’s members produce power from many sources including water, natural gas, nuclear, wind, solar, and biomass. Currently they produce more than 90% of the electricity made in Ontario.

How can Ontario build energy infrastructure at the pace and scale required to match our climate ambitions? This talk will explore the work the Canada Infrastructure Bank has underway to tackle this challenge. 

Speaker:

• Ehren Cory, CEO, CIB

Ehren Cory, CEO, CIB

As Chief Executive Officer at the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) – an impact investor accelerating the development of new infrastructure to make Canada more economically competitive and prosperous in a decarbonizing world – Ehren proudly leads the organization as it works with Indigenous communities, governments and the private sector to get more built faster.

Through his leadership, the CIB has made significant progress in building its portfolio of projects which advance action on climate change, create more connected communities, and help close the Indigenous infrastructure gap. Ehren is a recognized leader in sustainable finance and infrastructure investing in Canada.

Prior to joining the CIB, Ehren was the President and CEO of Infrastructure Ontario, a Provincial Crown Agency responsible for financing, building, and enhancing the value of the province’s infrastructure and real estate assets. In addition, he spent 15 years in the private sector working in the infrastructure and energy industries, advising clients on their corporate strategies and capital investment plans.

Breakout sessions will take a deeper dive on discussion topics from the preceding panel, using case studies to uncover best practices and lessons learned.

Breakout #1: Clean Energy Financing

The capital costs of a net zero transition are humbling. But if projects cannot find appropriate financing, they will not go ahead. This breakout will share three case studies of innovative financing structures that have enabled clean energy projects to go ahead, and the lessons they may hold for other project proponents.

Speakers:

• Joe Brown, VP Building Technology and Decarbonization Lead, KingSett Capital
• Chandra Ramadurai, CEO, Efficiency Capital

Moderator:

• John Stackhouse, Senior Vice-President, Office of the CEO, RBC

Breakout #2: Indigenous Partnerships in Energy Projects

This breakout will explore best practices for energy project developers to build real partnerships with Indigenous communities that create shared benefits and lasting support. Panelists will share first-hand experiences from the communities themselves, project proponents, and government. Approaches to be explored include equity partnerships, hiring and procurement strategies, and effective communication and engagement.

Speakers:

• Stephen Scott, Senior Director, Canada Infrastructure Bank
• Matt Jamieson, President and CEO, Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation
• Marcel Pelletier, Vice President and Indigenous Relations Lead, AECOM

Moderator:

• Karen Moore, ADM, Strategic, Network and Agency Policy, Ontario Ministry of Energy 

Breakout #1: Clean Energy Financing

Joe Brown, VP Building Technology and Decarbonization Lead, KingSett Capital

Joe is responsible for enhancing technology, innovation, resiliency and sustainability, driving value across KingSett’s real estate portfolio. 

Joe began his career in 2004 consulting on energy projects and building commissioning. In 2011, Joe left Enermodal (now WSP) and joined CREIT (now Choice REIT) with responsibility for technical services and capital projects for their national portfolio. Joe’s most recent role was with BGIS as Director of Energy and Sustainability on a key financial account. 

Joe holds a Bachelors of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo. 

Chandra Ramadurai, CEO, Efficiency Capital

Chandra Ramadurai is the Co-Founder and CEO of Efficiency Capital, an Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) company that works with building owners and operators in the multi-family, commercial and industrial segments to undertake large scale retrofits of their buildings with no capital contribution from the owners – and creates financial, environmental, and social outcomes. Efficiency Capital has investment partnerships / funding commitments with Toronto Foundation, McConnell Foundation, TAF, Canada Infrastructure Bank and various other impact investors. 

Chandra brings over two decades of experience in sustainable energy, construction and banking in Canada, the US, Europe, the Middle East and India. He has led or been part of various investment deals worth billions of dollars. Previously, he was the CEO at IT Power, one of the world’s oldest clean energy companies based in the UK and has held senior-level positions at Suzlon Energy, a large wind energy company, Cemex, Standard Chartered Bank and PWC.  

Chandra is an experienced Board Member and holds an MBA from Duke University, a Chartered Accountancy qualification and an engineering degree. 

John Stackhouse, Senior Vice-President, Office of the CEO, RBC

John Stackhouse is a nationally bestselling author and one of Canada’s leading voices on innovation and economic disruption. He is senior vice-president in the Office of the CEO at Royal Bank of Canada, leading the organization’s research and thought leadership on economic, technological and social change. 

Previously, John was editor-in-chief of the Globe and Mail and editor of Report on Business. He is a senior fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute and the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy and sits on the boards of Queen’s University, the Aga Khan Foundation of Canada and the Literary Review of Canada. 

John’s latest book, Planet Canada: How Our Expats Are Shaping the Future, explores the untapped resource of the millions of Canadians who don’t live in Canada but exert their influence from afar. 

Breakout #2: Indigenous Partnerships in Energy Projects

Stephen Scott, Senior Director, Canada Infrastructure Bank

As Director, Investments at the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), Stephen leads infrastructure project finance transactions in partnership with or for the benefit of Indigenous communities.  He is proud and honoured to have closed a number of financings for meaningful and critical Indigenous community infrastructure projects, including transactions in asset classes of wastewater, broadband, roads, railway, and airports.  Prior to joining the CIB, Stephen came from a background in commercial mid-market lending, wherein he was recognized with national performance awards at RBC and TD.   

As a proud member of the Métis Nation of Ontario, Stephen’s lineage traces back to Lac St. Anne, Alberta and beyond to the Red River Settlement.     

Stephen lives in Toronto.  He serves on the Board of Directors of Anishnawbe Health Foundation and the Métis Voyageur Development Fund.  He holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business. 

Matt Jamieson, President and CEO, Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation

Matt Jamieson is a proud member of the Tuscarora Nation and resident of Six Nations of the Grand River, Canada’s most populated First Nation.

As Chief Executive Officer, Matt leads SNGRDC investment strategy, operations, and asset management. SNGRDC has developed numerous partnerships with some of Canada’s largest and most respected private and publicly traded companies. Under his leadership, SNGRDC has built a $100+ million portfolio and participated in the construction of $2.5 billion of infrastructure assets. Since inception, SNGRDC has generated $200 million of direct economic impact for Six Nations of the Grand River.

Matt holds a Post-Bachelor’s in Management, and an MBA from Athabasca University and is a graduate of the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program. Matt also serves as an Executive-in-residence at the Rotman Business School and an Executive fellow at the Ivey Energy Policy & Management Centre.

Marcel Pelletier, Vice President and Indigenous Relations Lead, AECOM

Marcel Pelletier serves as Vice President, Indigenous Relations at AECOM.  He has more than 30 years of experience working with Indigenous people across 

Canada and the United States on a local, provincial/state and national scale. As an Indigenous person himself, Marcel is highly skilled at establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities through engagement activities and consultation for the development of business opportunities.

Marcel has managed all aspects of project delivery as it pertains to Indigenous programming. He is an innovative professional with proven ability to identify needs, analyze existing issues, and develop initiatives consistent with tactical and strategic communication through negotiation, diplomacy, and capacity building.  In his tenure with AECOM, Marcel has held various roles including Project Manager, Superintendent, Quality Control Inspector, Material Coordinator and Document Control. He has also been involved in collective bargaining agreements, served on various industry boards as a Director, and served as Co-Chair on owner/worker/health committees.

Karen Moore, ADM, Strategic, Network and Agency Policy, Ontario Ministry of Energy 

Karen Moore is the Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic, Network and Agency Policy Division, at the Ministry of Energy.  In this role she is accountable for providing strategic advice on cross-cutting issues such as long-term planning, electrification and the energy transition, climate change adaptation, and Indigenous policy matters.  She is also responsible for the Ministry’s relationship with energy agencies and entities, including the Ontario Energy Board, Ontario Power Generation, the Independent Electricity System Operator and Hydro One.  Prior to joining the Ministry of Energy, Karen served at the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks in various rules, including as acting Assistant Deputy Minister of Environmental Policy, Director of Climate Change Policy, and executive lead for the COVID-19 sector strategy table, a cross-government effort to guide the development of strategies to support economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.  Karen has a broad range of policy experience across the Ontario Public Service (OPS), having worked in progressively more senior policy roles at the Ministry of Health, Cabinet Office, and the former Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. She holds a Masters of Public Administration from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia.

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As our energy systems transform, the customer lens must remain a central focus to energy planning. This panel will explore the role clean and sustainable energy systems play in retaining and attracting investment to Ontario.

Discussion topics will include:

• The evolving energy needs of businesses
• Ontario’s competitive position relative to peers
• Case studies of creative energy solutions (demand management, behind-the-meter generation, combined heat and power, etc.), and the conditions for their success

Speakers:

• Raseeka Rahumathulla, Head of Government Affairs, Volkswagen Canada
• Bryan Healey, Director, CCS Business Development, Low Carbon Solutions - Canada, Imperial Oil Limited
• Tony Valeri, Decarbonization Investment Project Team - Funding and Government Relations, ArcelorMittal Dofasco

Moderator:

• Rob Blackstein, Partner. BLG and Vice-Chair of TRBOT’s Energy and Climate Committee

Raseeka Rahumathulla, Head of Government Affairs, Volkswagen Canada

Raseeka Rahumathulla leads Government and Regulatory Affairs for Volkswagen Group Canada and champions their Sustainability agenda. Since 2011, she has been a passionate bridge-builder in advancing the company’s electric transformation and broader EV ecosystem. In 2019, Raseeka steered the founding of Electrify Canada to support ultra-fast and convenient charging. She recently co-championed an industry-led EV battery recycling backstop program to advance the circular economy. Prior to this, she worked for federal regulators in Ottawa and holds a BASc (Chemical Engineering)/BSc (Biochemistry) from the University of Ottawa.

Bryan Healey, Director, CCS Business Development, Low Carbon Solutions - Canada, Imperial Oil Limited

Bryan Healey was named director, carbon capture and storage (CCS) business development in August 2023, in conjunction with the expansion of the low carbon solutions organization within Imperial. In his role, Bryan is responsible for compiling and prioritizing Imperial’s low carbon project portfolio.

Bryan joined Imperial as a marketing coordinator in the company’s lubricants and specialties department in Toronto, Ontario, following his graduation in 2004. In 2005, Bryan relocated to Calgary where he worked as a field lubrication engineer for two years. In 2007, Bryan relocated to Sarnia and subsequently progressed through various roles in the refining complex, including the blending and bulk shipping supervisor, eventually becoming the operations manager for the lube oil blend plant. Bryan then moved to Edmonton, Alberta to become the Strathcona Lube Oil Blend Plant Manager in April, 2013.

In 2015, Bryan returned to Calgary, where he currently resides, progressing through several Canada and North American commercial roles in the product solutions business and became the low carbon business development manager within Imperial in 2022.

Bryan is originally from Grand Falls, Newfoundland and holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Dalhousie University as well as a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Acadia University

Tony Valeri, Decarbonization Investment Project Team - Funding and Government Relations, ArcelorMittal Dofasco

Tony joined ArcelorMittal Dofasco in June 2011 from his own firm, Ridge Strategy Group, a public affairs and management consulting company. From 2011 to April 2022, Tony was responsible for Communications, Sustainable Development and Government Relations and Trade. In May 2022, as a member of the Executive Team, he was appointed to his current role within the company’s Decarbonization Team, leading funding and government relations. As part of this, Tony is focused on the path to net-zero for ArcelorMittal’s Hamilton steelmaking complex.

Tony was a Member of Parliament for four consecutive terms, beginning in 1993. During his terms in office, he served as Minister of Transport and subsequently led the Government's legislative program as Leader of the Government in the House of Commons. Prior to assuming public office, he was principal of a life and health benefits practice.

Tony is a graduate of McMaster University and is actively involved in the community. He is a Director on the Board of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters and a Director on the St. Joseph's Health System Board.

Rob Blackstein, Partner. BLG and Vice-Chair of TRBOT’s Energy and Climate Committee

Rob is a seasoned business and transactional lawyer who has expertise in domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, financings, private equity and venture capital.

He advises corporations, investment funds and other clients across a range of sectors, including energy and infrastructure.

In the energy sector, Rob works on matters involving generation (solar, wind, hydro, gas and nuclear), transmission and distribution, as well as projects for investors, lenders, retailers, marketers and other industry participants across Canada’s electricity sector.

On infrastructure projects, he acts for public authorities, developers and design-builders, with a focus on:

• public-private partnerships including social infrastructure (hospitals, universities, courthouses and detention facilities)
• transportation (toll roads, rail and ports)
• large infrastructure projects in the energy sector (transmission lines and hydro facilities)

Rob has also acted on the formation and structuring of various project and investment vehicles, including energy and infrastructure funds, and has represented fund sponsors and institutional investors in connection with such transactions.

Rob is a member of the Toronto Board of Trade Energy Committee and is involved in a number of energy and infrastructure industry associations.

He has presented at numerous client seminars and webinars and has also authored client bulletins, newsletters and updates on various legal matters.  Rob is also a member of the firm’s Private Equity Steering Committee.

What will it take to get to a future powered by clean energy? How does Ontario’s path compare on a global scale?

Speaker:

• Catherine McKenna, Chair, UN High-Level Expert Group on the Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities

Moderator:

• Giles Gherson, President & CEO, Toronto Region Board of Trade

Catherine McKenna, Chair, UN High-Level Expert Group on the Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities

Catherine McKenna is Canada's former Minister of Environment and Climate Change as well as Minister of Infrastructure. She is the Principal of Climate and Nature Solutions, an advisory firm focused on scaling action and financing to tackle the climate crisis. She chaired the UN Secretary General’s High-Level Expert Group on Net-Zero setting out criteria for net zero commitments of business, financial institutions, cities and regions. She is a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Columbia University and launched Women Leading on Climate.

As Canada’s former Minister of Environment and Climate Change she was a lead negotiator of the Paris Agreement (Article 6 on carbon markets). She successfully negotiated Canada’s first comprehensive climate change plan including a coal phase out and a price on carbon across Canada — a policy successfully upheld at the Supreme Court. She brought in Canada's new Impact Assessment Act for the review of major projects, led efforts to ban single use plastics, and doubled the amount of nature protected in Canada in partnership with Indigenous Peoples. Internationally she helped establish the Powering Past Coal Coalition, the Ministerial on Climate Action and the Nature Champions Summit.

As Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, she led Canada's historic investments in public transit and green infrastructure, leveraged private sector investment in sustainable infrastructure through the Canada Infrastructure Bank, and launched Canada’s first National Infrastructure Assessment to drive to net-zero emissions by 2050.

Prior to entering politics, Catherine practiced corporate, trade and anti-trust law at leading firms in Canada and Indonesia, worked as lead negotiator on the Timor Sea Treaty with the UN Peacekeeping Mission to East Timor and founded Canadian Lawyers Abroad (now Level Justice). She is called to the Bars of New York and Ontario. She is a mother to three kids and an avid open water swimmer.

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