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Toronto 2017 Conference Programme

MC Jameson Berkow, Energy Reporter, Business News Network
8:00 am Registration opens. Light breakfast served
8:30 am Welcome by Monica Rovers, Head of Energy Business Development, Toronto Stock Exchange
 
8:35 am   A conversation with Glenn Thibeault, Ontario Minister of Energy and Pierre Arcand, Quebec Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
Interviewed by Tom Clark, Vice Chair, Global Public Affairs
 
9:15 am   Session I: Opportunities in electrification Carbon regulations are rolling out across Canada. The business case for technological innovation and energy management is stronger than ever. Canada’s electricity sector has reduced emissions by 30% since 2005 and 80% of its electricity generation is GHG free. $350 billion in investment over the next twenty years is required to replace aging infrastructure and develop the next generation of energy systems. Alberta and Saskatchewan are a new frontier for the renewable energy industry – up to 7000 MW of new supply could be developed over the next 15 years. At present, 20% of Canada’s energy needs are powered by electricity and more work with rate-focused regulators is required to spur innovation. The panel will explore the potential of electrification to meet climate targets, transport needs, to develop remote regions and to facilitate cross border trade.

Session chair: Helle Bank Jorgensen, CEO, B.Accountability

10:15 am Networking break
10:45 am Session II: A Canadian gas strategy As Canada’s energy needs expand, reducing GHG emissions requires a thoughtful path forward that includes an energy mix that provides grid integrity, affordable heating and transportation. Natural gas is inexpensive, flexible and clean and can play a significant role in reducing Canada’s carbon footprint. Western Canadian natural gas exports to the US are dropping and in the major eastern Canadian markets, western natural gas competes against supplies from the U.S., importing almost 800,000 million cubic feet of natural gas in 2015. Canadian natural gas can serve markets in the eastern part of the country using existing infrastructure and significant LNG export opportunities exist on both the east and west coasts. The session will explore how Canada can pursue a gas strategy that strengthens the grid and industrial activities whilst reducing emissions.

  • Michael Crothers, President and Country Chair, Shell Canada
  • Jim Sanders, President, Enbridge Gas Distribution
  • Dave Nikolejsin, Deputy Minister, Natural Gas Development, Province of British Columbia
  • Alfred Sorensen, President & CEO, Pieridae Energy (Goldboro LNG)

Session chair: Mungo Hardwicke-Brown, Partner, Energy Law, Blakes

11:45 am Jacques Benoit, President & COO, Pacific Future Energy
Building the world’s greenest refinery – achieving net zero carbon
12:15 pm Luncheon with remarks by Martha Hall-Findlay, President & CEO, Canada West Foundation
1:45 pm

 

A discussion led by Bill Tharp, Chief Executive Officer, Tangerine Tango, with Richard Blundell, Adjunct Professor, Rotman School of Management and Helle Bank Jorgensen, CEO, B.Accountability and President, Global Compact Network Canada, on: Expanding existing low carbon business models
2:30 pm Session III: Carbon regulation – where are the opportunities? Pricing carbon and other GHGs addresses the market failure inherent in an economy that doesn’t price damaging emissions. This is the public case for a reduction in carbon emissions and a driver of regulatory approaches that seek to reduce emissions. As a consequence, the incorporation of carbon reduction strategies is increasingly central to business planning. But how does a business go further and turn carbon from being a cost into a source of profit? Well functioning carbon markets coupled with advances in energy management processes and technologies offer a range of potential solutions to this challenge. The session will explore the opportunities, and challenges, in the creation and use of carbon markets in business planning.

Session chair: Duff Harper, Partner, Environmental Law, Blakes

3:30 pm Close by Jason Langrish, President, The Energy Roundtable