The area surrounding Pearson International Airport - the Pearson Economic Zone - is the second largest employment zone in Canada and the Gateway to Growth for our region. Home to a significant concentration of firms in advanced manufacturing, life sciences, logistics and warehousing, ‘The Zone’ sits at the heart of a network of highways, rail lines, and international goods movement, making its success vital to our economy and global competitiveness.
However, the Zone’s true potential remains untapped, restricted by transit availability for workers, road congestion, scarcity of employment lands, underinvestment in advanced manufacturing, and a lack of coordinated planning.
The Gateway to Growth Summit is a call to action for business and government leaders to address these challenges to unlock new opportunities for growth and competitiveness across our region – well beyond the borders of the zone. These are critical enablers of business growth, jobs and investment in our region.
The summit will showcase working models of regional coordination and investment that can address critical cross-municipal challenges including transit, passenger vehicle and freight transportation, and land use planning for housing and employment, labour shortages and more.
Attendees will learn from international best-in-class practices and participate in critical conversations about how business, government, and other large organizations in the public and private sectors can address the key pain points affecting business growth.
Join us.
Summit Agenda
The critical importance of regional coordination to attracting investment and jobs to the Pearson Economic Zone, a key logistics, manufacturing and distribution hub for the Toronto Region.
Speakers:
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Jan De Silva, President and CEO, Toronto Region Board of Trade
Bio:
Jan De Silva, President and CEO, Toronto Region Board of Trade
Jan De Silva is President and CEO of the Toronto Region Board of Trade, one of the largest and most influential business organizations in North America. She is spearheading efforts to make Toronto one of the most competitive and sought-after business regions in the world.
Jan brings to the role more than 14 years of international CEO experience building ambitious, high-growth organizations. Anchored in her leadership is her belief in the power of economic development to lift communities.
Prior to joining the Board, she served as CEO of Sun Life Financial’s Hong Kong and Mainland China businesses and co-founded and later sold Retail China Limited. Jan also served as Dean of Ivey Asia for Ivey Business School of Western University.
Highly respected for her business advocacy and government engagement, Jan has been Chair of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Chair of the Canada China Business Council in Beijing and served on the Board of the Asian Corporate Governance Association. In 2019, she was appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to represent Canada on the APEC Business Advisory Council. Jan also sits on the board of Intact Financial Corporation, listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Mayors speak on how regional collaboration and coordination across the region can maximize infrastructure investments in the region & zone and build the enabling conditions for growth and competitiveness across the Toronto-Waterloo Innovation Corridor.
Introductory Remarks:
- Kevin Teslyk, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Scotiabank
Speakers:
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His Worship Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton
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Her Worship Bonnie Crombie, Mayor of Mississauga
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Councillor Shelley Carroll, Ward 17 -- Don Valley North, City of Toronto
Moderator:
- Jan De Silva, President and CEO, Toronto Region Board of Trade
Bios:
His Worship Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton
Patrick Brown was re-elected Mayor of Brampton in October 2022 on a platform of focusing on public safety, investing in our infrastructure, expanding recreation opportunities, and attracting new businesses to our city.
Patrick was born in Toronto in 1978 of Irish and Italian descent. He graduated from St. Michael’s College, then studied political science at the University of Toronto and graduated with a law degree from the University of Windsor. He has also studied French in Trois-Rivières, Quebec.
Patrick has had a long involvement in serving in government. He was first elected in 2000 as a Councillor in the City of Barrie. He served two terms on City Council before getting elected as the Member of Parliament for Barrie in 2006. He was re-elected in 2008 and 2011 by the largest margin in City history. In Ottawa, he chaired the GTA Government Caucus and worked on expanding Canada's trade to India as Chair of the Canada India Parliamentary Association. In 2013, he was awarded the human rights champion award from CHRV for his role in exposing the Tamil genocide.
In May 2015, Patrick was elected Leader of the Ontario PC Party by the largest margin in Ontario PC Party history. He became the Member of Provincial Parliament in September 2015 for the riding of Simcoe North and Leader of the Official Opposition. He championed autism services, additional mental health supports and linking education to employment in the provincial legislature. He won by elections in Sault Ste Marie, Scarborough Rouge River, and Niagara West.
In October 2018, Patrick was elected Mayor of Brampton on a campaign to get Brampton back on track. Mayor Brown delivered four consecutive tax freezes, record contributions to the City reserves and financial assistance to the new Peel Memorial Hospital and the TMU Medical School, which will open in 2025.
Patrick and his wife Genevieve live in Downtown Brampton with their son Theodore and daughter Savannah.
Her Worship Bonnie Crombie, Mayor of Mississauga
Since her election as Mayor in 2014, Mayor Crombie has worked diligently to hold the line on taxes, invested in improving traffic congestion and building transit, attracted major economic development to the City all while managing the growth of Canada’s sixth largest city.
Prior to her election as Mayor, Bonnie served as the Ward 5 City Councillor, and previous to that, as Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Streetsville.
Before entering public service, Mayor Crombie enjoyed a twenty-year career in business.
Mayor Crombie has an MBA from York University’s Schulich School of Business and earned a Corporate Director’s Certificate from the Institute of Corporate Directors at the Rotman School of Management.
She has raised three children, Alex, Jonathan and Natasha, right here in Mississauga.
Councillor Shelley Carroll, Ward 17 -- Don Valley North, City of Toronto
Shelley Carroll is Toronto City Councillor for Don Valley North and Chair of Toronto’s Economic and Community Development Committee.
In her time as Councillor, Shelley has served on a number of committees and boards that make her uniquely positioned to understand Toronto’s economic recovery needs across sectors. Between 2006 and 2010, Shelley served as Chair of the Budget Committee and utilized her financial background to deliver four balanced budgets in the thick of the global financial crisis. She has also served as a Commissioner of the Toronto Transit Commission, where she consistently advocated for a robust transit system that supports the economic and social needs of a growing city, in addition to serving on the boards of the Toronto Police Service and Toronto Hydro. Shelley has also served on numerous arts boards, including the Toronto Film Board, Toronto Arts Council, Canadian Film Centre, and more.
Shelley’s focus in her role as Chair is to facilitate a vibrant and inclusive economic and cultural recovery for the city, in partnership with Toronto’s vast network of businesses, artists, and social agencies.
Kevin Teslyk, Executive Vice-President and COO, Canadian Banking
Kevin was appointed Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Canadian Banking in 2021. In this role, he is responsible for working closely with functional partners across the Canadian Bank to advance key strategic growth priorities and improve productivity for the businesses.
Kevin joined Scotiabank in 1992 and has since held progressively senior roles in Personal and Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, Wealth Management, Finance, and Global Risk Management. In 2001, Kevin joined International Banking, where he played a leading role in supporting the Bank’s international units throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and Asia. In 2005, Kevin was appointed Assistant General Manager & Head of the Bank’s corporate, commercial and offshore banking activities in Barbados, followed by his appointment to Managing Director of the Bank’s Caribbean East region in 2009, where he oversaw the Bank’s retail, corporate, commercial, offshore, and wealth management businesses.
In 2011, Kevin accepted the role of Managing Director and Country Head of Scotiabank (Bahamas) Limited. He returned to Canada in 2013 as Senior Vice President of Scotiabank’s industry-leading Automotive Finance business and, in 2018, was appointed Executive Vice President, Canadian Business Banking.
Kevin has held numerous directorships inside and outside of Canada. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Finance from the Haskayne School of Business, and a Master of Business Administration Degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business. Outside of Scotiabank, he also serves as Co-Vice Chair of the Toronto Region Board of Trade.
Kevin and his wife, Karine, live in Oakville, Ontario with their six children.
Authoritative big thinkers from the land use planning, transportation and economic development worlds will take a deep dive into how we can use the Pearson Economic Zone as a “living lab” to solve for the biggest competitiveness challenges facing our region.
Speakers:
- Joe Berridge, Partner, Urban Strategies
- Jason Baker, Senior Vice President of Infrastructure & Regional Partnerships, Silicon Valley Leadership Group
- Leslie Woo, CEO, CivicAction
Moderator:
- Kim Stangeby, Partner and Head of Consulting, Odgers Berndtson
Bios:
Joe Berridge, Partner, Urban Strategies
Joe Berridge is an urban planner and city builder who has had an integral role in the development of complex urban planning and regeneration projects in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Europe and Asia. He has been strategic advisor for the development of the city centres of Manchester, Belfast and Cardiff and for the waterfronts of Toronto, Singapore, Sydney, Cork, London and Governors Island in New York City. He has prepared campus master plans for the University of Manchester and Waterloo, Queen's and Western in Canada. He prepared the Airport City plan for Manchester Airport and plans for the new hub for Toronto Pearson International Airport. Joe teaches at the University of Toronto. He writes regularly for the Globe and Mail and his book ‘Perfect City’ was published by Sutherland House in April 2019.
Jason Baker, Senior Vice President of Infrastructure & Regional Partnerships, Silicon Valley Leadership Group
Jason Baker is the Vice-President of Transportation, Housing & Community Development for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. In this role, he works with both public and private leaders throughout the Silicon Valley region in order to shape decision making related to transportation infrastructure, housing and related funding initiatives. While at SVLG, Jason served as a representative on the San Francisco Bay Area’s Transit Recovery Task Force beginning in 2021 and he served as co-chair of Measure RR, a successful ballot measure effort to raise over $3 Billion for Caltrain, an important commuter rail agency that connect the valley.
Prior to joining the Leadership Group, Jason served as Mayor of Campbell, California and on its City Council for eight years. As an elected official with a regional focus, Jason has served on more than a dozen regional boards and commissions, including serving on the Boards of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, the nine-county Metropolitan Transportation Commission, The Santa Clara County Housing Task Force, and as board member and President of the Cities Association of Santa Clara County.
Jason earned a BA in Political Science from UC Davis, a JD Cum Laude from Santa Clara University School of Law and completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program Harvard Kennedy School.
Leslie Woo, CEO, CivicAction
A respected multi-sector leader with over 25 years of experience building sustainable communities and shaping urban development in Canada’s fastest-growing urban region, greater Toronto. Leslie assumed the role of CEO at CivicAction in September 2020 where she convenes established and rising leaders to catalyzes actions and impactful solutions. Before joining CivicAction, Leslie served as Metrolinx’s Chief Planning and Development Officer. An experienced planner, architect and community activator, she was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2017 by WXN, Spacing Toronto’s Transit Changemaker in 2016 and Canada’s Women’s Infrastructure Network’s 2015 Outstanding Leader. Founder of shebuildscities.org, Leslie uses her voice and platform to amplify and celebrate other women city builders.
Kim Stangeby, Partner and Head of Consulting, Odgers Berndtson
Kim Stangeby has spent over twenty years as an applied strategist in C-suite and advisory roles. Her area of specialization is strategic transformation and change, with a focus on CEO-Board and CEO-CSuite strategic engagement. As Partner and Head of Strategy Consulting, she helps clients implement high-impact organization transformation solutions, including strategic development and planning, organizational strategy, and Board strategic effectiveness.
A decade at McKinsey equipped Kim with a set of robust strategy tools, which she has honed through application across diverse real-world contexts. Her most recent in-house role was as the Chief Strategy Officer and interim Chief Human Resources Officer at the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, and she currently serves as the Chair of Governance and Human Resources for several boards of a top Canadian private equity firm.
Kim holds a PhD in Biomechanical Engineering and an Honours Bachelors of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering, both from the University of Toronto. She speaks regularly at events and writes articles under the banner “Strategic Decluttering”, to improve the strategic dialogue between CEOs, C-Suites, and boards.
Session 1: Getting Employees to Work - Transit Solutions for the Zone
Labour shortages are being felt by the majority of businesses, but the problem is exacerbated in the Pearson Economic Zone where many large-scale employers face critical challenges to attract and retain almost 400,000 workers due to transit challenges.
Unlike downtown Toronto, with its relatively better-connected transit access and a greater capabilities to work remotely, the Zone has a greater number of on-site workers with poor access to fast and reliable transit.
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How can private sector, private-public and public sector work to solve the problem of getting workers in and out of the Zone?
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How can private-public sector transportation solutions such as on-demand mobility address the challenges of a low-density, 24 hour, 7-day a week employment zone?
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What place-based models of transit fare and service integration can be piloted?
Speakers:
- Boyd Reid, Co-Founder, Hop In Technologies
- Remi Desa, CEO, Pantonium
- Jack Phelan, Project Manager, Durham Region Transit
- Tamim Raad, Principal and Co-Owner, Access Planning
Moderator:
- Gabriel Eidelman, Assistant Professor, Master of Urban Innovation program, University of Toronto
Session 2: Tackling Congestion: Smart Infrastructure in the Zone
What best-in-class smart infrastructure investments can help solve the crippling transportation gridlock resulting in huge costs and delays in getting products to market, choking the region’s growth potential?
Speakers:
- Baher Abdulhai, Professor and Director, Toronto Intelligent Transportation Systems Centre, University of Toronto
- Juan Pablo Bastida, Vice President, Public Sector, Geotab
Moderator:
- Prabh Banga, Senior Director, Sustainability, AECON
Session 3: Solving the Employment Land Demand
The scarcity of appropriately sized, serviced, and developable lands where businesses can establish and expand is limiting economic expansion in the Zone. Simultaneously, the need to build housing is creating pressure on municipalities to convert lands from commercial or industrial to residential. These threatened employment lands—especially those close to market and key transportation hubs—are key to regional economic competitiveness.
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What land use planning tools are needed to protect employment lands?
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What policy innovations are required to advance employment through land use planning, serve a changing economy, and address demand from businesses that want to locate and expand?
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How can we effectively re-use and increase the value of employment lands in the Zone that are already serviced with water, wastewater, and transportation infrastructure?
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How does the Zone stack up against similar jurisdictions, using a site selector lens, on financial incentives and charges to attract businesses to locate and expand in our region?
Speakers:
- Paul Aldunate, Expeditor, City of Brampton
- Gregg Wassmansdorf, Senior Managing Director, Global Strategy, Newmark
- Alex Tsoulis, Senior Advisor - Business Development & Advanced Technologies, Mitsubishi Heavy Service Industries
Moderator:
- Tara Vinodrai, Director - Master of Urban Innovation, University of Toronto
Bios:
Session 1 - Getting Employees to Work - Transit Solutions for the Zone
Boyd Reid, Co-Founder, Hop In Technologies
Boyd Reid is the Co-Founder & COO of Hop In Technologies. Boyd is driven by a passion to help people get access to opportunity through transportation with Hop In Technologies. Boyd is a member of Blacks in Technology, an alumnus of the DMZ Black Innovation Fellowship and is a recipient of the Brampton BEA 2021 Innovation Award. Through Hop In Technologies, Boyd helps companies retain talent and expand hiring options by building mobility solutions helping people commute to work.
Remi Desa, CEO, Pantonium
Remi Desa is a technology entrepreneur. Born in Canada and raised in Kenya, he returned to Canada to study electrical engineering and management science at University of Waterloo. Remi’s focus on improving public transit stems from his own life experience which has showed him how integral quality transportation is to leading a productive and satisfying life. He has a passion for finding efficiencies and has over 20 years of experience working in operations and logistics.
Jack Phelan, Project Manager, Durham Region Transit
Jack Phelan is a Project Manager with Durham Region Transit, focusing on the amalgamation of DRT’s On Demand and Specialized Transit, their underlying technology platforms, and the vehicles used to deliver the service. As a member of DRT’s Service Design team Jack was involved in the launch of DRT’s On Demand system in September 2020, as well as traditional fixed-route service planning. Jack holds a B.A. in Urban Studies from the University of Toronto.
Tamim Raad, Principal and Co-Owner, Access Planning
Tamim is a dedicated urbanist with two decades of experience shaping the strategic agenda in cities. He brings leadership vision and skill as a strategic planner, always maintaining focus on driving to long-term objectives. As a Principal at Access Planning, Tamim advises executives, boards and elected officials to shepherd difficult decisions through their fiscal, community and political realities. He has a proven track record of successfully tackling the toughest of urban problems, while systematically and collaboratively working through complex stakeholder and decision environments.
From 2018-2020, Tamim served as the Director of the Pearson Airport Transit Program Management Office, where he developed and facilitated a joint GTAA/Metrolinx work program of major transit planning and infrastructure studies for the Airport zone, as well as a technical engagement program on the Airport zone transit program with senior provincial and federal government officials.
Tamim brings direct public agency experience and perspective to his advisory work. Prior to founding Access, he led planning for complex transit infrastructure projects and directed the Strategic Planning team at TransLink, the regional transportation authority for Metro Vancouver.
Tamim has been an instructor in Simon Fraser University’s City Program since 2002, and is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Community and Regional Planning at UBC.
Gabriel Eidelman, Assistant Professor, Master of Urban Innovation program, University of Toronto
Gabriel Eidelman is Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, at the University of Toronto Mississauga’s Institute for Management and Innovation, where he teaches in the Master of Urban Innovation program. He is also Director of the Urban Policy Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. His research focuses on cities and intergovernmental relations in North America, with expertise in housing, transportation, infrastructure, land-use planning, economic development, and climate policy. His work has been profiled in the Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, and National Post, and he has appeared in news coverage by the New York Times, The Canadian Press, CBC News, and Maclean’s.
Session 2: Tackling Congestion: Smart Infrastructure in the Zone
Baher Abdulhai, Professor and Director, Toronto Intelligent Transportation Systems Centre, University of Toronto
Baher Abdulhai has been a professor at the University of Toronto since 1998. Born in Cairo, Egypt in 1966, and earned his Ph.D. in engineering from the University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA, in 1996.
Prof. Baher Abdulhai has 35 years of experience in transportation systems engineering and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). He is the founder and Director of the Toronto ITS Centre and the founder and co-Director of i-City Centre for Automated and Transformative Transportation Systems (iCity-CATTS). Abdulhai received several awards including IEEE Outstanding Service Award, Teaching Excellence award, and research awards from Canada Foundation for Innovation, Ontario Research Fund, and Ontario Innovation Trust. He served on the Board of Directors of the Government of Ontario (GO) Transit Authority from 2004 to 2006. He served as a Canada Research Chair (CRC) in ITS from 2005 to 2010. The ITS Centre won the Ontario Showcase Merit Award of Excellence and the National GTEC Bronze Medal Award in 2005. His research team won international awards including the International Transportation Forum innovation award in 2010 (Hossam Abdelgawad), IEEE ITS 2013 (Samah El-Tantawy) and INFORMS 2013 (Samah El-Tantawy). In 2014, he won the University of Toronto Inventor of the Year Award. In 2015 he has been inducted as a Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada (EIC). In 2018, he won the prestigious CSCE Sandford Fleming (Career Achievement) Award for his contribution to transportation in Canada. He has been elected Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering in 2020. In 2021, he won the Ontario Professional Engineers Awards (OPEA) Engineering Medal for career Engineering Excellence.
Juan Pablo Bastida, Vice President, Public Sector, Geotab
As the Partnership BDM for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) business at Geotab, JP is responsible for supporting Partner sales engagements, through the Partnership channel. Since 2016, JP contributed in the support of Geotab’s key strategic telematics resellers and their telematics go to market strategy. Now, JP is actively engaged with existing and prospective partners that can benefit from utilizing the Geotab Altitude platform and APIs.
Prabh Banga, Senior Director, Sustainability, AECON
Prabh is a sustainability strategist with over 15 years of experience integrating and operationalizing sustainability into strategy.
Currently, Prabh is the Senior Director of Sustainability with Aecon Group Inc, where she leads the integration of sustainability into the construction and infrastructure sector. Prior to joining Aecon, Prabh was the Associate Director, Strategy & Sustainability at Toronto Pearson International Airport, where she was ranked Top 40 under 40 in North America by Airport Business for integrating sustainability as a value driver into airport operations and management. She was also ranked Top 20 under 40 by Wings Magazine for influencing Canadian Aviation.
Prabh has a Master of Resource and Environmental Management from Dalhousie University and undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies from McMaster University. Prabh is often a guest lecturer at universities and conferences, discussing emerging trends in sustainability. Prabh is currently serving as the North American representative on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Stakeholder Council as well as a Research associate with the National Academy of Sciences. She also sits on the board for Family Services of Peel and the Halton Environmental Network.
Session 3: Solving the Employment Land Demand
Paul Aldunate, Expeditor, City of Brampton
Paul Aldunate is Expeditor for the City of Brampton’s Economic Development Office, providing concierge service to investors looking to land or expand their footprints in Brampton. Paul has developed an exceptional municipal background working for the City of Brampton for over 20 years in various roles that saw him lead initiatives in land-use policy, development planning, post-secondary expansion and downtown revitalization. In the face of increased population growth and becoming the 9th largest City in Canada, unlocking the potential for employment lands to keep pace has been a key priority.
Paul Aldunate is a Registered Professional Planner and holds a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Queen’s University and a B.A. (Honours) in Geography and Urban Studies from York University.
Gregg Wassmansdorf, Senior Managing Director, Global Strategy, Newmark
Gregg Wassmansdorf shares responsibility for platform development, sales, engagement management, and client service delivery for the firm’s Global Strategy and Consulting practice, and is a Market Leader for Newmark’s Global Corporate Services (GCS) division in Canada.
As a commercial real estate (CRE) outsourcing advisor, Gregg helps mid-sized and large organizations evaluate the best means to access and implement service.
solutions for their global properties. He facilitates engagements for strategic consulting, CRE and Facilities Management (FM), technology and data management, account and transaction management, workplace strategies and implementation, facilities services, and capital project management.
In his management consulting capacity, Gregg works with his corporate clients to address challenges in global portfolio strategy, location strategy and site selection, supply chain planning, economic incentives, workplace strategy, property transaction execution, ESG initiatives, and capital project implementation. His experience spans many asset types including head offices, shared services and call centers, data centers, manufacturing plants, and distribution facilities. He now also leads the Supply Chain & Logistics service line in Newmark’s Global Strategy and Consulting practice.
Gregg is a trusted advisor to corporate clients in many industry sectors, and he takes pride in his ability to help clients conceive and implement logical and defensible real estate solutions and scenario plans, reduce decision-risk, and successfully execute their strategies. Gregg’s advisory work also supports senior and lower levels of government with economic development strategy, investment attraction initiatives, and regional and community competitiveness assessments. He is regularly hired by investment promotion and economic development agencies for his expert opinions.
Alex Tsoulis, Senior Advisor - Business Development & Advanced Technologies, Mitsubishi Heavy Service Industries
Alex Tsoulis has over 36 years of experience with McDonnell Douglas, Boeing and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Canada Aerospace (MHICA) where he has developed extensive experience in the design and development of commercial aircraft (regional jet through wide body), military aircraft (transport, helicopter, fighter) and business jet (light to heavy) platforms.
When MHICA wanted to expand its operations in the Pearson Economic Zone, Tsoulis was involved in the search for a new location across southern Ontario, which ultimately ended up with MHICA, despite the availability of employment lands, creatively being able to expand by collaborating with stakeholders to repurpose nearby land.
Tsoulis has also been involved in initial concepts, product implementation and product / fleet support. Covering life cycle technical, quality, schedule and cost activities in an Integrated Product Team (IPT) environment. His expertise involves a large emphasis on advanced design, advanced manufacturing technology, global collaboration and business development, and considerable long term interaction with government, university, research and industry organizations.
Alex Tsoulis graduated with a Bachelor of Technology Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and Diploma in Aerospace Engineering Technology from Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University).
Tara Vinodrai, Director - Master of Urban Innovation, University of Toronto
Tara Vinodrai is Director of the Master of Urban Innovation program and Associate Professor in the Institute for Management and Innovation at the University of Toronto. She holds a graduate appointment to the Department of Geography and Planning and is a Senior Associate at the Innovation Policy Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. Her award-winning research focuses on innovation, economic development, labour markets and technological change in cities. Her most recent work explores the relationships between housing affordability and economic development; clusters and innovation ecosystems; mechanisms for achieving inclusive innovation and economic development; and the impact, adoption and use of disruptive technologies in emerging and traditional sectors. She has provided advice to both large cities and smaller communities and all levels of government related to innovation, economic development and regional competitiveness.
Hear from key global experts on how Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport was developed into a world class airport city to ensure the competitiveness of the airport and surrounding economic zone.
The economic zone around Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands is a global best-in-class example of how an airport zone can thrive with long-term planning, creative private-public sector partnerships, seamless transportation connectivity, and a development framework that involves multiple jurisdictions to create growth and competitiveness for the Eindhoven - Amsterdam metropolitan region.
Introductory Remarks:
- Michael Sutherland, Director of Urban Solutions, Hatch
Speaker:
- Maurits Schaafsma, Urbanist and Airport Zone Planning Expert, Municipality of Haarlemmermeer (previously with Schiphol Airport)
Bio:
Maurits Schaafsma, Urbanist and Airport Zone Planning Expert, Municipality of Haarlemmermeer
Maurits Schaafsma is a seasoned urban planner specializing in airport economic zone planning projects, with work spanning Paris, Zurich, Milan, Brisbane, Dublin and Reykjavik.
Currently, Schaafsma is a senior urban planner with the Haarlemmermeer municipality, having previously worked with the Schiphol Airport. Joining us with his extensive expertise in guiding best-in-class global models, Schaafsma will speak on the measures that were taken to coordinate economic development of the zone around Schiphol airport through long-term planning.
Business leaders of major employers on what challenges must be prioritized to grow manufacturing in the Zone and the wider region. What solutions can be harnessed to supercharge the economic performance of our region?
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What core business, supply chain and regulatory obstacles must be addressed to grow advanced manufacturing and GDP in our region?
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What investments and policy tools are needed to fuel an industrial strategy based on Industry 4.0?
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How can technology adoption play a role in raising productivity, addressing labour shortages and increase business competitiveness?
Speakers:
- Mike Greenley, CEO, MDA
- Stefan Schmidt, Senior Director, Pearson Build and Execution, Bombardier
- Jeffrey Liaw, General Manger, Martinrea International
Moderator:
- Vincent Caron, Director, Policy and Ontario Government Relations, Canadian Manufacturers Exporters
Bios:
Mike Greenley, CEO, MDA
Mike Greenley is the Chief Executive Officer of MDA. Founded in 1969, MDA is an international space mission partner and a robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 50 year story of firsts on and above the Earth. MDA is a publically traded companyon the Toronto Stock Exchange that is headquartered in Canada.
Mr. Greenley oversees more than 2,400 employees across Canada at locations including Brampton, Kanata and Nepean, ON; Richmond, BC; Montreal, QC; and Halifax, NS; as well as the company’s operations in Houston, TX, and the United Kingdom.
Before joining MDA in early 2018, Mr. Greenley was Sector President of L-3 WESCAM, provider of systems for defence, homeland security and law enforcement. From 2013 to 2016, he served as Vice President and General Manager of CAE Canada, supporting defence and security markets. From 2008 to 2013 he served first as Vice President, Strategy and Business Development for General Dynamics (GD) Canada, then as Vice President, International for GD Mission Systems. From 2004 to 2008, he was Vice President of the modeling and simulation business at CAE. Mr. Greenley has over 25 years of experience in the defence and security business, with broad experience serving the Land, Air, Maritime, Joint, and Public Safety sectors.
Mr. Greenley is the Vice-Chair of Space Canada and recently served as the Vice-Chair of the Government of Canada’s Economic Strategy Table for Advanced Manufacturing. He served as Chairman of the Board of the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) for six years, and as a Board Member of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) and the Ontario Aerospace Council. He was previously Chairman of the Advisory Board for Defence and Security Export to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) in Canada, and was a member of the Industry Advisory Boards to Department of National Defence, Defence R&D Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and the CEO of the Export Development Canada (EDC).
Mr. Greenley has been recognized for his business and community leadership as an Ottawa Top 40 under 40 business leader, a PROFIT 100 CEO for leading one of Canada’s fastest growing companies for three years running, and as a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for service to peers and country in the defence sector.
Stefan Schmidt, Senior Director, Pearson Build and Execution, Bombardier
Stefan Schmidt has been with Bombardier since 1994 and has held various senior roles in Engineering, Customer Services and Manufacturing. In January 2023, he was selected to lead the build and delivery of Bombardier’s new Global Manufacturing Centre, located near Pearson Airport.
Stefan leverages his technical background to help shape how Bombardier delivers value to the aircraft build process and now, through the construction and completion of the company’s new manufacturing site. He began his Lean manufacturing journey – a set of management practices that maximizes productivity while simultaneously minimizing waste – in the early 2000’s. As an accomplished Lean leader, Stefan has led various transformations at the company.
As a licensed Professional Engineer, he has also participated in six major development programs for Bombardier. Stefan continues to leverage his experience to most recently develop the new Operational Excellence approach that Bombardier is now rolling out across the entire organization.
Jeffrey Liaw, General Manger, Martinrea International
Jeffrey Liaw at his current role as General Manager applies over 31 years of automotive manufacturing experience to lead the Martinrea Alfield location, driving culture as a competitive advantage, developing adaptive, machine learning, A.I. technology and focuses on value generation for manufacturing in a high-cost centre.
Prior to this role he worked as Assistant General Manager and Engineering manager, capitalized on a new organization structure that is based on Tech Leads; a small cellular agile team, which leverages an abundance of focussed technical/operations team leaders. launched numerous major complex lightweight vehicle body structures achieving a flawless launch and highest vehicle body metrics globally with GM. He led R&D efforts; applied A.I. in resistance welding enabling built-in quality, adaptive MIG welding process that produces low level spatter ejection with high arc stability amongst other technical developmental work.
Jeffrey has previously worked at SoZo group an international Investment Firm as Executive Director of Manufacturing Science and Technology using EB5 Economic development, a vehicle for overseas investments into the U.S. He also served as Director of Engineering Services for Kobotic Ltd., specializing in Robotic welding and automation, and engineering consultation. Jeffrey held various engineering and R&D related positions at Van-Rob Inc. over an eight-year time span.
Jeffrey is a registered Professional Engineer, earned a Bachelor of Applied Science and Engineering from the University of Toronto and is a regular speaker at the SAE world congress, Innovation in Mobility and AMG Smart Manufacturing conferences.
Vincent Caron, Director, Policy and Ontario Government Relations, Canadian Manufacturers Exporters
Since 1871, CME has made the difference for Canada’s manufacturing and exporting communities. The association directly represents more than 2,500 leading companies nationwide. More than 85 per cent of CME members are small-and-medium sized enterprises.
As Director, Policy & Ontario Government Relations, Vincent works with member companies and the Ontario government to promote policies that lower costs and increase investment for manufacturers.
Prior to joining CME, Vincent worked in the governments of Ontario and Canada for 15 years, with a primary focus on economic policy. He advised six federal ministers in various departments, including Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and Public Safety Canada.
Originally from Quebec City, Vincent has a master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Bristol in England.
Introductory Remarks:
- Derek Newton, Assistant Vice-President, Innovation, Partnerships and Entrepreneurship, University of Toronto
Speakers:
- The Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance, Government of Ontario
- The Hon. Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure, Government of Ontario
Moderator:
- Giles Gherson, EVP and Chair, Economic Blueprint Institute, Toronto Region Board of Trade
Bios:
The Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance, Government of Ontario
Peter Bethlenfalvy is Ontario’s Minister of Finance. He was elected as MPP for Pickering—Uxbridge in 2018 and was re-elected in 2022.
As Minister of Finance, he is responsible for the management of the province’s finances and building the environment for long-term economic prosperity. Throughout COVID-19, Minister Bethlenfalvy provided the supports Ontario families, workers, and businesses needed through the pandemic. Now, with Premier Ford, he is working to Get It Done for our health care system, communities, and economy to ensure they are stronger than ever before.
The Hon. Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure, Government of Ontario
Kinga Surma is the Minister of Infrastructure for the Province of Ontario and the Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Etobicoke Centre.
She is devoted to fighting for her residents and the people of Ontario to ensure they have the quality infrastructure and high-speed internet connections that will support to enhance their well-being and quality of life, for generations to come.
Since her appointment to the Ministry of Infrastructure in June 2021, Minister Surma has spearheaded the province’s high-speed internet initiatives that ensuring communities in ever corner of the province have access to reliable high-speed internet by the end of 2025.
Following her reappointment to infrastructure portfolio in June 2022, Minister Surma was given the responsibility to handle the province’s real estate portfolio where she is working collaboratively with other ministries to determine how to best utilize the Province’s assets, such as using excess lands to create more housing and deliver more long-term care homes.
She is also overseeing the redevelopment of Ontario Place that will turn the underutilized site into a remarkable world-class, year-round destination that will include affordable, family-friendly entertainment, event space, dining options, more parkland and waterfront access.
Minister Surma continues to collaborate with stakeholders to deliver a better, smarter and more integrated transit network and subway plan. This includes the construction of the province’s major priority transit projects, including the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension and the Ontario Line as well as the Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) program to help reduce gridlock, shorten commute times, and enhance the quality of life of Ontarians.
Minister Surma is committed to building and strengthening communities across the province and ensuring that shovels get into the ground promptly and that projects are built quickly and efficiently, all while guaranteeing the best value for taxpayers. She is a devoted community leader, who has comprehensive knowledge of all orders of government that allows her to effectively address concerns of Ontarians and support the people of Etobicoke Centre.
Minister Surma came to Canada from Poland at the age of 4 years old. As a successful immigrant and Canadian citizen, she understands the challenges that newcomers face when beginning their life in Canada.
She holds a degree in Public Policy, Business and Commerce from the University of Guelph as well as Public Relations Designations from Ryerson University.
Giles Gherson, EVP and Chair, Economic Blueprint Institute, Toronto Region Board of Trade
Giles Gherson is the Executive Vice President and Chair of the Economic Blueprint Institute at the Toronto Region Board of Trade.
A seasoned leader, Giles has 15 years of experience with the Province of Ontario where he has served under different parties and leaders. He’s held Deputy Minister roles in multiple portfolios, including; Cabinet Office Policy; Cabinet Office Communications; Economic Development, Trade and Investment; Infrastructure and Government Realty; Research Innovation and Science; Red Tape and Regulatory Burden Reduction; Small Business; and Consumer Services.
Prior to his role in government, Giles held positions within the Canadian media landscape, including as editor-in-chief of the Toronto Star, political editor of the National Post and editor of the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business.
Derek Newton, Assistant Vice-President, Innovation, Partnerships and Entrepreneurship, University of Toronto
Derek is the Assistant Vice-President, Innovation, Partnerships, and Entrepreneurship at The University of Toronto (U of T). He supports the university’s bold innovation agenda towards fostering the next generation of Canadian entrepreneurs, developing successful corporate research partnerships, and managing the IP portfolio of the university.
U of T is a global leader in turning research into products, services, companies and jobs. In the past several years, companies emerging from U of T have secured more than $1.5 billion in investment and capital and the university is ranked among the top 10 university-managed start-up incubators in the world.
Derek held previous senior roles at Western University, he worked at a large biotechnology funding organization and also at a management consultancy firm specializing in biotechnology. He holds a PhD from U of T in biomedical research.
Session 1: The role of international airports to grow trade and open new markets
Disruptions in global supply chains and geopolitical tensions have highlighted the need for new economic strategies that prioritize speed, technology adoption and the global competitiveness of homegrown sectors. International airports play a crucial role in adapting to this new reality to move both people and goods. The growing demand for air cargo and e-commerce and the ability to move time-sensitive goods in the belly of passenger airplanes through to road and rail networks in this key inter-modal transportation hub means that Toronto Pearson International Airport plays a crucial role as an inland port and gateway to growth for the wider Toronto region.
Speakers:
- Karen Mazurkewich, VP, Stakeholder Relations and Communications, GTAA
- Alex Mihailidis, Associate Vice-President, International Partnerships, University of Toronto
- Michael Sutherland, Director of Urban Solutions, Hatch
Moderator:
- Roselle Martino, SVP, Public Policy & EBI, Toronto Region Board of Trade
Session 2: Transition to the Net-Zero Economy
Businesses in the Zone are grappling with the challenges of transitioning to a net-zero economy. Hear these business leaders describe the steps they’re taking to accelerate the energy transition, and what more needs to be done.
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How can an ecosystem of users and producers work together to ensure Canada’s greenhouse gas reduction and economic competitiveness goals based on clean economy are met through innovation projects?
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How can the central location of the Pearson Zone as a transportation and manufacturing hub be leveraged to test innovations and build an ecosystem for a hydrogen hub?
Speakers:
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Todd Ernst, Director Aviation Infrastructure, Energy & Environment · Greater Toronto Airports Authority
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Dianne Zimmerman, Manager, Environment, City of Mississauga
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Scott Dodd, Director of Business Development, Enbridge Gas
Moderator:
- Pierre Tremblay, President & CEO, AECOM Canada Nuclear Services Inc.
Bios:
Session 1: Growing Manufacturing in the Pearson Economic Zone
Karen Mazurkewich, VP, Stakeholder Relations and Communications, GTAA
Karen Mazurkewich joined the GTAA in June 2022 and is the Vice-President of Stakeholder Relations and Communications. She leads a diverse team covering Media, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Stakeholder Relations, Corporate Marketing and Design and Sustainability and Social Impact.
Prior to joining the GTAA, she was Vice-President of Strategic Communications at MaRS, the largest innovation hub in North America. At MaRS, she also built a unique in-house agency and content studio supporting hundreds of entrepreneurs and founded a new type of think tank that produces data-driven insights about the Canadian ecosystem.
Karen spent a decade as a senior journalist at the Wall Street Journal in Asia and the Financial Post in Toronto, covering a wide variety of topics ranging from business innovation to international art markets. After leaving journalism, she co-founded a tech start-up, and managed her own consulting practice to help traditional media companies tackle digital transformation.
She has authored reports on innovation for the Canadian International Council and the University of Waterloo, programmed events for various creative agencies such as Interactive Ontario, and directed documentaries for the Discovery Channel.
Karen began her career as a communications officer for the National Film Board of Canada. She is the author of books on Canadian animation and Chinese antique furniture.
Alex Mihailidis, Associate Vice-President, International Partnerships, University of Toronto
Professor Alex Mihailidis is Associate Vice-President, International Partnerships at the University of Toronto. Professor Mihailidis is currently the Barbara G. Stymiest Research Chair in Rehabilitation Technology at the University of Toronto and Toronto Rehab Institute. He is also the Scientific Director of the AGE-WELL Network of Centres of Excellence, which focuses on the development of new technologies and services for older adults. He is a Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy (U of T) and in the Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering (U of T), with a cross appointment in the Department of Computer Science (U of T).
Professor Mihailidis has been conducting research in the field of pervasive computing and intelligent systems in health for the past 15 years, having published over 150 journal papers, conference papers, and abstracts in this field. He has specifically focused on the development of intelligent home systems for elder care and wellness, technology for children with autism, and adaptive tools for nurses and clinical applications.
Michael Sutherland, Director of Urban Solutions, Hatch
Michael leads Hatch’s Urban Solutions practice in Canada, collaborating with Urban Solutions teams in the USA, UK, South Africa, and other Hatch teams globally. Michael is focused on advancing the best possible outcomes for better cities, transportation, and infrastructure through investment analysis excellence, applying knowledge of how decisions and projects happen, and developing, leading, and adapting teams and talent for solutions.
In the past, Michael led the planning, project development work, and funding approvals for GO Regional Express Rail, Metrolinx’s flagship capital program. He also led the initiation and refinement of business case practice and standards, which contributed to significant improvement in project evaluation and development within Metrolinx and across Ontario.
Roselle Martino, SVP, Public Policy and Economic Blueprint Institute, Toronto Region Board of Trade
Roselle is the Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Economic Blueprint Institute at the Toronto Region Board of Trade. Roselle brings well over twenty years of experience across diverse sectors – including as an Executive Management Consultant, and as Assistant Deputy Minister with Ontario Government, providing executive leadership for policies, programs, and legislation for politically contentious and complex issues. Roselle has a comprehensive understanding of local government and municipal operations because of her tenure with the City of Toronto; and has worked internationally in the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit - Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom, where she provided leadership for the development and delivery of national policies and programs.
Session 2: Transition to the Net-Zero Economy
Todd Ernst, Director Aviation Infrastructure, Energy & Environment · Greater Toronto Airports Authority
A senior business risk and sustainability professional with a proven ability to deliver practical solutions to complex business issues. Diverse practical experience including environment, engineering, accounting, internal audit and project management that allows me to not only see the big picture but to communicate and work effectively with specialists across all business functions at all levels from operations to C-suite executives. Over the course of my career I have done substantial work in both industry and consulting with public and private sector organizations ranging from venture start-ups and local NPOs to Fortune 500 companies and large government organizations.
Dianne Zimmerman, Manager, Environment, City of Mississauga
Dianne is the City of Mississauga’s environment manager and brings more than twenty five years of private and public sector experience in climate and clean energy policy, project implementation and strategic leadership. Along with her team, Dianne works with City departments and external stakeholders to identify innovative projects that will help Mississauga transition to a net-zero city.
Prior to joining the City, Dianne led Partners in Project Green – a program initiated by Toronto Pearson and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority – designed to advance sustainability efforts with businesses and municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area. In addition, she worked as director of transportation for the Pembina Institute finding solutions to reduce freight emissions and support increased transit efficiency. From 2001 to 2015, Dianne worked for Suncor Energy advancing climate efforts and advocating for renewable energy policies.
Dianne has a master’s degree in environmental studies from York University, a bachelor of arts degree in commerce and environmental studies from the University of Toronto and is a LEED Accredited Professional
Scott Dodd, Director of Business Development, Enbridge Gas
Scott Dodd was appointed Director of Business Development in October 2016. He and his team are responsible for identifying new business opportunities in Enbridge Gas Inc.'s service territory.
From 2011 to 2016 Scott was the Senior Project Director, Major Projects, responsible for planning and executing major construction projects for Enbridge and its affiliates. Scott has provided Project leadership for over $4 billion of projects including over 1,500 MW of wind and solar projects and over 400 km of gas and electrical transmission projects.
Scott has been a Chartered Financial Analyst since 2000. He has an MBA from the University of Western Ontario and a BA in Economics and Honours Business also from the University of Western Ontario.
Pierre Tremblay, President & CEO, AECOM Canada Nuclear Services
Pierre Tremblay is the President of AECOM Canada Nuclear Services, Inc. (ACNS), AECOM’s nuclear service provider in Canada. He oversees the Canadian Nuclear Center of Excellence in Markham, Ontario where his team of specialists provide innovative, value-add and cost-effective client solutions. AECOM continues to make a major investment and commitment to the Canadian Nuclear Market and to add its expertise, significant organizational capabilities and thought leadership to making an ever growing and sustainable contribution to the nuclear supply chain in Canada. ACNS business integrates with AECOM’s robust world-wide network.
Pierre has a wealth of nuclear power plant operations experience (former chief nuclear operating officer for Ontario Power Generation) complemented by leadership roles in management, academia and nuclear waste management. He is a thought leader and an active ESG investor. He has a Masters of Business Administration, Rotman School of Management, Bachelor of Science (Honors) Chemical Engineering, Queens University and is a Professional Engineer in Ontario. He was recently inducted to the Canadian Academy of Engineering Fellowship (FCAE).
Speaker:
- The Hon. Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Bio:
The Hon. Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
The Honourable Filomena Tassi was first elected as Member of Parliament for the riding of Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas in 2015. She has previously served as Minister of Public Services and Procurement, Minister of Labour, and Minister of Seniors.
Born and raised in Hamilton, Minister Tassi has been the voice of change for families in the city through a lifetime of commitment to her community.
Minister Tassi obtained a Bachelor of Laws from Western University, and also holds a Master of Religious Education from the University of St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto.
Minister Tassi practised law for six years before leaving to raise her family. She later became a high school chaplain for the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board. As chaplaincy leader, she helped establish the D.R.E.A.M.S. (Dominican Republic Education and Medical Support) program, which has enabled thousands of students to live and work with the materially poor in the Dominican Republic.
Driven by her profound sense of civic duty, Minister Tassi has been highly involved in her community. She is a past board member of both St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Catholic Youth Organization, and has volunteered her time with other local initiatives and organizations. Minister Tassi served as a Catholic school board trustee, and was the recipient of the 2010 Brian J. Halferty Award, presented by the Catholic School Chaplains of Ontario for exemplary service.
Minister Tassi, her husband, and two children live in the Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas riding.
Speaker:
- Giles Gherson, EVP and Chair, Economic Blueprint Institute, Toronto Region Board of Trade
Tickets:
- Individual (Member): $175
- Individual (Non-Member): $200
- Table of 10 (Member): $1,200
- Table of 10 (Non-Member/Guest): $1,800
