Fall 2023 Net-Zero Leadership Summit: Pre-COP28 Stocktake for Canada

October 31, 2023, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

The Westin
11 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON

Canadians recognize the need for urgent action to ensure the sustainability of our communities and transition our energy systems, while embracing the newfound opportunities inherent in Canada’s transformation to a cleaner future — whether that’s for our homes and buildings; for our vehicles, trains, ships, and planes; in energy efficiency and conservation, or in critical minerals and key Canadian industrial sectors.

What’s the state of Canada’s progress in making that clean, efficient, secure, affordable, and resilient future a reality?

Join us in Ottawa on Tuesday, October 31 2023 as Canada 2020’s Net-Zero Leadership Initiative once again convenes government and business leaders, technology experts, policymakers, and innovators from Canada and beyond to take stock of where we stand and where we must do better in building a clean growth economy.

The effects and disruption brought by climate change are becoming more real and pronounced each day, both across Canada and around the world. Ahead of the “global stocktake” culminating this December at COP28 in Dubai, and amidst another pivotal year of unprecedented geopolitical and economic transformations, it is important to take stock of where we stand — both the successes and the to-do list — to determine where and how our governments, industry, and citizens can best address the gaps in Canada’s transformation toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

This event will be an opportunity for policymakers, advocates, and experts to share their visions and commitments for a sustainable, equitable, and resilient future.

View full program here.

Related: You may also be interested in “Building Momentum Toward Net Zero” on November 9, 2023, the third annual pan-Canadian climate conference hosted by the Canadian Climate Institute and the Net-Zero Advisory Body.

Featured Participants

Mark Carney

Canada 2020 Advisory Board Chair
Biography

Mark Carney
Canada 2020 Advisory Board Chair, United Nations Special Envoy on Climate Change and Finance, Chair of Brookfield Asset Management and Head of Transition Investing, and former Governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England
The Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson

Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
Biography

The Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson was first elected as the Member of Parliament for North Vancouver in 2015. He has previously served as Minister of Natural Resources, as Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and as Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. Raised in Saskatchewan, Minister Wilkinson spent more than 20 years in the private sector, holding leadership positions with a number of companies dedicated to the development of green technologies. Minister Wilkinson’s work as Chief Executive Officer of both QuestAir Technologies and the former BioteQ Environmental Technologies (now BQE Water), in addition to his role as Senior Vice-President of Business Development with Nexterra, provided him with extensive experience in the energy and environmental technology sectors. He also previously worked at Bain & Company, a leading global management consultancy. A Rhodes scholar, Minister Wilkinson made use of his educational background in public policy when he worked as a constitutional negotiator and a federal-provincial relations specialist for former Saskatchewan Premier Roy Romanow. He has served on several industry and charitable boards, including United Way of the Lower Mainland and the BC Technology Industry Association. He also served as a board member and treasurer of the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation. Minister Wilkinson has deep roots in North Vancouver, where he is raising his family alongside his wife, Tara.
Hon. Seamus O'Regan

Canada's Minister of Labour and Seniors
Biography

Hon. Seamus O'Regan
Seamus O’Regan Jr.was first elected Member of Parliament for St. John's South-Mount Pearl in 2015, subsequently re-elected in 2019 and 2021. He is currently Canada’s Minister of Labour. O’Regan has also previously served as Canada’s Natural Resources Minister, Minister of Indigenous Services, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence. He was born in St. John's, Newfoundland, and raised in Goose Bay, Labrador. He studied politics at St. Francis Xavier University and University College Dublin, and received his Master of Philosophy degree from the University of Cambridge, specializing in Indigenous participation in natural resource development. In the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador, he served as Executive Assistant to the Minister of Justice, and later, Senior Policy Advisor to the Premier.
Anne McLellan

Co-Chair, Coalition for A Better Future
Biography

Anne McLellan
Canadian and International Strategic Planning Advisor, Bennett Jones LLP and former federal Cabinet minister (including as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources)
Lisa Raitt

Co-Chair, Coalition for A Better Future
Biography

Lisa Raitt
Vice Chair of Global Investment Banking, CIBC and former federal Cabinet minister (including as Minister of Transport, Minister of Natural Resources, and Minister of Labour)
Megan Leslie

President & CEO, WWF Canada
Biography

Megan Leslie
President & CEO for WWF-Canada and former Member of Parliament for Halifax for two terms (including roles as Deputy Leader and Environment Critic).
Sonya Savage

former Minister of Energy for Alberta
Dale Beugin

Executive Vice President, Canadian Climate Institute
Biography

Dale Beugin
Dale Beugin the Executive Vice President at the Canadian Climate Institute. An expert in climate policy and environmental economics, he oversees all of the research and analysis produced by the Institute. Dale has previously worked as both Executive Director and Research Director of Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission, as an independent consultant providing analysis and advice to governments and organizations across Canada and internationally, and as policy advisor with the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy.
David Layzell

Energy Systems Architect, the Transition Accelerator
Merran Smith

President, New Economy Canada
John Gorman

President & CEO, Canadian Nuclear Association
Biography

John Gorman
John Gorman is President & CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA) and past President & CEO of the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA). Prior to this, he served as Senior Vice President—Empower Energies Inc., a global integrator of energy systems. John has served as a director on the boards of numerous community and corporate organizations, including one of the nation’s largest electric utilities. He was Canada’s Designate to the International Energy Agency’s Executive Committee (PVPS) and a founding member of Electricity Alliance Canada and the Emerging Technologies Coalition. He’s a member of the board of the Energy Council of Canada (ECC).
Bryan Gilvesy

CEO, ALUS Canada
Biography

Bryan Gilvesy
Bryan is C.E.O. of ALUS Canada, a national program that engages farmers to provide solutions to Canada’s most pressing environmental problems. He is also owner of the Y U Ranch, a sustainable ranching operation in Norfolk County, Ontario. Bryan serves as an Executive in Residence for Agriculture and Sustainability at the Ivey School of Business. 2007 and 2013 Ontario Premier’s Award For Ag Innovation. 2013 Canadian Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Award 2012 Ontario Environment Minister’s Award For Excellence 2008 Canadian Agri-Food Award Of Excellence For Environmental Stewardship
Mayaz Alam

Energy Transition Market Development Leader, GE Vernova
Biography

Mayaz Alam
Mayaz is the Energy Transition Market Development Leader for GE Vernova in Canada. In his role, he is responsible for customer engagement, partnership and ecosystem development, and energy transition policies in support of GE’s portfolio of energy businesses. He joined GE as a R. Michael Gadbaw International Law & Policy Fellow for GE’s Global Government Affairs & Policy team, based out of Washington, D.C., where he worked across GE’s businesses and geographies. He began his career as a journalist for The Globe and Mail. Mayaz earned his Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a B.A. from McGill University.
Tejas Rao

Managing Director, Accenture
Biography

Tejas Rao
Managing Director with Accenture’s Cloud First Network practice leading the 5G/Telco Cloud ecosystem partnerships, ventures and acquisitions globally. Based out of Seattle, Tejas has over twenty five years of experience in the telecommunications, media and high technology industry supporting management consulting, mobile and digital platforms and next generation wireless networks (4/5G). Tejas has worked at number of companies such as Nokia, IBM, and several wireless startup companies prior to rejoining Accenture in 2008.
François Bélanger

Head of Sustainability, CN
Biography

François Bélanger
François is the Head of Sustainability at CN, a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. In his role, he leads the development and implementation of CN’s carbon transition strategy and roadmap. The Sustainability Team is also in charge of CN’s sustainability reporting and disclosures, the company’s climate change-related initiatives, and embedding sustainability across the organization. That includes EcoConnexions, an internal employee engagement program focusing on saving energy, reducing waste, and improving housekeeping. Since he joined CN more than 15 years ago, François has held senior positions of increasing responsibility within the company. François is a Professional Engineer and has an MBA from HEC Montreal. He lives in Montreal with his wife Cindy and his two boys who are 11 and 14.
Jonathan Fowlie

Chief External Relations Officer and Impact Strategy Lead, Vancity
Biography

Jonathan Fowlie
Jonathan leads Vancity’s External Relations and Impact Strategy division, which oversees key strategies to help Vancity grow its impact and its business. This includes Vancity’s commitments to climate action, including the credit union's work to reach Net Zero across all financed emissions by 2040. It also includes work to advance the credit union's Indigenous banking strategy, and its work around improving the financial health and resilience of its members. The division takes an integrated approach and includes the departments of Marketing and Product Development, Strategic Communications, Government and Stakeholder Relations and Impact Strategy. Jonathan is a member of the Canadian government’s Sustainable Finance Action Council, and he currently represents North America on the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative’s Banking Board. He is also on the advisory board for the University of Victoria's Impact Investing Hub and is on the board of the Vancity Community Foundation.
Saga Williams

Senior Advisor, External Relations, FNMPC (Member of Curve Lake First Nation)
Biography

Saga Williams
Saga Williams, Senior Advisor, External Relations, FNMPC (Member of Curve Lake First Nation) Saga Williams, LL.B. is the principal and owner of AS Williams Consulting. She is a band member and resident of Curve Lake First Nation. Through her maternal relations, she is also a member of the Namekosipiing Anishinabeg located in the Treaty #3 area. After graduating with an Indigenous Studies (Hons.) degree from Trent University and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School, Saga was called to the Ontario Bar in 2000. With over 20 years experience, Saga has been involved in the successful implementation of a number of high-profile initiatives, including energy, mining, economic and policy development projects and land claims settlements. Saga was an elected Councillor for her community and served a three-year term, holding three portfolios and chaired a number of community-based committees. Over her years working with First Nations governments, and holding a leadership position, Saga has gained an expertise in governance structures, policies and processes. Saga also teaches as an Osgoode Hall Law School Adjunct Professor, introducing first year law students to issues of Indigenous rights and reconciliation, coaches students who are participating in the national Indigenous law moot, was the Chair of a national, non-profit youth services board and currently sits as a Director on a number of publicly traded mining boards. Recently, Saga has joined the First Nations Major Project Coalition Team and is working towards membership support and outreach, as well as advising on First Nations involvement in the critical mineral and energy sectors.
Denis Geoffrey

Chief Commercialization Officer, Nano One
Biography

Denis Geoffrey
Denis Geoffroy has 25+ years of experience in the field of Lithium batteries, and participated in the start-up of the LFP industry. It was under his leadership that the Candiac plant, LFP’s only commercial plant in America, was built. Denis worked for 17 years as Technical Director, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager at Phostech Lithium. He supported Lithion Recycling in its start-up and became Nano One's Chief Commercialization Officer in 2022. His career began at Argo-Tech Productions, a subsidiary of Hydro-Québec responsible for the first commercial version of solid-state lithium batteries. Denis obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering from Laval University.
Kayam Slutsky

Chief Financial Officer, Rio Tinto Minerals Group
Biography

Kayam Slutsky
Kayam Slutsky is the Chief Financial Officer for Rio Tinto Minerals group since September 2021. He has been with Rio Tinto since 2006, and over the past 17 years, Kayam has held a number of senior finance and commercial positions within Rio Tinto, including Chief Financial Officer – Iron & Titanium and General Manager Finance – Atlantic Aluminium Operations. In Kayam’s role at Rio Tinto, he is accountable for and oversees the finance, strategy and development of the Rio Tinto Minerals business, which spans the large scale Iron Ore Company of Canada, Rio Tinto’s Iron and Titanium business with headquarters in Montreal and assets across Quebec, including a critical minerals research hub, South Africa, Madagascar and Mozambique, as well as Rio Tinto’s developing lithium business with projects in Argentina and Serbia, the Rio Tinto Borates business, as well as our Diavik Diamond mine in the Northwest Territories. Kayam participates on the boards of Richards Bay, QMM (Madagascar), Iron Ore company of Canada and Mutamba Minerals. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and in 2009 completed his CFA designation. Kayam is based in Montreal, Canada. He enjoys sports, especially ice hockey, and spending time with family.
Photinie Koutsavlis

Vice President, Economic Affairs and Climate Change Mining Association of Canada
Biography

Photinie Koutsavlis
Ms. Koutsavlis is dedicated to advancing the mining industry's comprehension of critical economic matters, encompassing taxation, international trade, investment, infrastructure, and innovation. Additionally, she guides the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) and its members in supporting an orderly transition towards a more sustainable, low-carbon future. Her leadership positions MAC as a constructive partner in the fight against climate change.
Mark Cameron

Vice President, External Relations, Pathways Alliance
Biography

Mark Cameron
Mark has held several governments positions, including in the Privy Council Office and as Director of Policy Research in the Prime Minister’s Office. His private sector experience includes executive roles with Ontario Power Generation, BlackBerry and Hill + Knowlton Strategies. He has also held board or advisory roles with the Canadian-American Business Council, Canada-India Business Council, the Munk Debates, Canada 2020, Smart Prosperity, the Energy Futures Lab, Public Policy Forum and the Banff Forum.
Jean Simard

President and Chief Executive Officer, Aluminium Association of Canada
Biography

Jean Simard
As President and Chief Executive Officer of the Aluminium Association of Canada (AAC) since 2009, Jean Simard is the industry’s official representative and spokesperson with governments, business associations and the media, as well as with international organizations linked to the industry. Mr. Simard holds a degree in Civil Law from the University of Ottawa, and is a member of the Barreau du Québec. He possesses extensive professional experience in public and government relations, mainly in sustainable development, energy and environmental affairs.
Marc-André Blanchard

EVP, Head of CDPQ Global & Global Head of Sustainability; CDPQ
Biography

Marc-André Blanchard
He is Executive Vice-President and Head of CDPQ Global and Global Head of Sustainability at Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec since September 2020. He was Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations in New York from 2016 to 2020. From 2017 to 2020, he sat on Canada’s North American Free Trade Agreement Council. Prior to that, he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of McCarthy Tétrault. He holds a Bachelor of Law from Université de Montréal, an LLM in Public International Law from the London School of Economics and Political Science, a Master’s in Public Administration and in International Affairs, both from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. He was called to the Québec Bar in 1992. Very active in the community. He is Co-Lead of the Global Investors for Sustainable Development (GISD) Alliance’s Task Force on Multilateral Development Banks, Co-Chair of the Investor Leadership Network (ILN) and Co-Chair of B20 Indonesia Finance & Infrastructure Task Force. He is actively involved in the Sustainable Markets Initiative, which was launched by His Majesty King Charles III, as well as a member of the Advisory Council of the Canada-India Business Council and of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on SDG Investment. He also sits on the Board of Directors of Invest in Canada and of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal. His philanthropic activities include serving as a member of the Advisory Council of the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security, Chair of the International Advisory Committee of the Rector of Université de Montréal and Director of the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation.
Jacob Glick

Vice President, Public Policy, Telus
Erin Flanagan

Director, Climate Advisory, PSP Investments
Catherine McKenna

Former Minister of Environment & Climate Change
Biography

Catherine McKenna
Former Minister of Environment and Climate Change for Canada; Chair of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Expert Group on Net-Zero Commitments of Non-State Entities
Frank Dahan

Director of Transport Services and Global Fuel Strategy, Canada Steamship Lines
Biography

Frank Dahan
Frank Dahan is the Director of Transport Services and Global Fuel Strategy for Montreal based worldwide shipowner Canada Steamship Lines. Frank has over 25 years of experience in the shipping, Oil and energy industries. In his current role he spearheads commercial fleet operations on the Canadian fleet. In addition to leading the Global fuel desk and overseeing the fuel procurement strategy of CSL’s operations, Frank also supports all sustainable alternative fuel initiatives at Group CSL Inc, such as the Biofuel Fuel Testing program, which was launched in 2019 and is to date one of the largest ongoing B100 Biodiesel trial on marine engines in the world.
Sarah Goodman

Former Director of Policy & Senior Advisor, Climate Action & Sustainable Economy, for the PM of Canada; Partner & Associate Director, Climate & Sustainability, BCG Consulting Group
Biography

Sarah Goodman
Former Director of Policy & Senior Advisor, Climate Action & Sustainable Economy, for the Prime Minister of Canada; Partner & Associate Director, Climate & Sustainability, BCG Consulting Group