Toronto Programme 2024

SOCO Ballroom, Delta Hotel, 75 Lower Simcoe Street – Thursday, November 14

MC Jason Langrish, President, The Energy Roundtable
7:45 am Registration opens. Breakfast will be available.
8:30 am Welcome remarks
8:35 am Panel discussion: Market renewal and transformation – will it deliver? 
Lost in the myriad of programmes, tax credits and production subsidies to advance the energy transition are discussions on market renewal, reform and transformation. At its core, market renewal and reform are fundamental to creating more efficient and dynamic markets to achieve the energy trilemma of reliability, affordability and sustainability. Reforms are happening across the country. The Market Renewal Program (MRP) in Ontario seeks to deliver lower cost, more efficient markets, while Alberta is proposing reforms to its electricity sector and an ambitious timeline for implementation. The Government of Québec is seeking to legalize direct electricity sales between private parties. The panel will discuss if market renewal and transformation initiatives will be sufficient to meet our energy needs.

  • Carolyn Dahl Rees, Chair, Alberta Utilities Commission
  • Mark Jaccard, Chair & CEO, BC Utilities Commission
  • Carolina Rinfret, Secrétaire générale de la Régie de l’énergie du Québec

Discussion led by: Suzanna Zagar, CEO, Ontario Energy Board

9:15 am

Panel discussion: Innovative energy infrastructure
The energy infrastructure sector is uniquely positioned to leverage sustainable opportunities that can lower carbon emissions for the sector, its customers and the broader economy. From technological innovations such as carbon capture, renewable power, AI or efficiency improvements, companies are exploring a multitude of options while keeping their eyes on returns on capital. The appetite for sustainable energy options continues to increase and the sector is well positioned to widen its service offering toward low-carbon initiatives given the low cost of capital, existing infrastructure and development experience. The panel will discuss approaches to infrastructure investment to achieve net zero goals and trends for the sector.

  • Annesley Wallace, Executive Vice-President, Strategy and Corporate Development and President, Power and Energy Solutions, TC Energy
  • Arne Wohlschlegel, President & Managing Director, Siemens Energy Canada
  • Carlyle Coutinho, President & CEO, Enwave
  • Matt Cronin, Senior Vice President, Industrial East, Bird Construction

Discussion led by: Robyn Gray, Vice President, Clean Infrastructure, Sussex Strategy Group

10:00 am Break
10:30 am Fireside chat with:                                 

  • Michael Sabia, President & CEO, Hydro‑Québec
10:55 am

Panel discussion: Business strategy in a time of policy uncertainty                           While the public is intuitively in favour of decarbonization, we have not had an honest discussion about what the costs and challenges will be to get there. Affordability concerns are top of mind for the voting public, and the costs associated with energy transition could mean that the federal carbon tax may be eliminated after the next election. The CER – or Clean Electricity Regulations – which mandates a net zero grid by 2035 has also been controversial and may be in the cross hairs of the federal Conservative Party. Industry subsidies are also being questioned or even delayed, and labour shortages have led to concerns about importing foreign workers for the purpose of helping build out the next generation of energy and manufacturing systems. The panel will discuss how strategic decision making by business proceeds in a time of uncertainty and which technologies, systems and approaches will prove durable.

  • Shelley Babin, President & CEO, Atura Power
  • Rupen Pandya, President & CEO, SaskPower
  • John Kousinioris, President & CEO, TransAlta Corporation

Discussion led by: Jim Reid, Executive Vice President, Sustainability and Chief Legal Officer, Fortis Inc.

11:35 am Panel discussion: Energy transition is a technology revolution
The energy transition has all the markings of a technological revolution. Technology stands as a driving force in the global transition toward sustainable, green energy solutions. Its role in advancing renewable energy sources, optimizing energy systems, and transforming various sectors like transportation is undeniable. As we navigate the challenges ahead, continued investments in research, development, and implementation of innovative technologies will be crucial in achieving a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for generations to come. The panel will review developments in green tech, grid, LDES, AI and analytics and discuss the implications for Canada’s net zero ambition.

  • Kris Zadlo, President & Chief Technical Officer, Grid United
  • Jon Norman, President, Hydrostor
  • Jean Trudel, Chief Financial Officer, Innergex

Discussion led by: Stephen Burns, Partner & Co-Head of Innovation, Technology & Branding Practice, Bennett Jones LLP

12:15 pm Luncheon
1:05 pm Video address

  • Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification, Province of Ontario
1:15 pm
Keynote address
  • Lesley Gallinger, President & CEO, Independent Electric System Operator
1:45 pm President & Chief Executive panel discussion
A discussion regarding energy trends, challenges, and opportunities from a chief executive perspective.

  • Ken Hartwick, President & CEO, Ontario Power Generation
  • Patrick Decostre, President & CEO, Boralex
  • Eric Chassard, President & CEO, Bruce Power

Discussion led by: Dr. Lance Mortlock, Managing Partner, Energy and Resources, EY Canada

2:30 pm
Fireside chat: Indigenous ownership – the tide that lifts all boats?
  • Chief Crystal Smith, Haisla Nation Chief; Member of the Board, Cedar LNG
  • Chief Billy Morin Nahtokitopi, Managing Director, Axxcelus Capital Advisory

Discussion led by: Hon. Lisa Raitt, Vice Chair, CIBC Capital Markets

3:05 pm

Break

3:25 pm Panel discussion: Energy and economic competitiveness
Canada and its trading partners are locked in an intense competition to draw high value extraction, manufacturing and services to their jurisdictions, as well as supply global energy and commodities markets. These global investors and buyers typically have a mandate to source their energy and electricity inputs from lower to non-emitting sources. Panelists will examine to role of energy market design, supporting infrastructure and technological innovations in creating a competitive, innovative ecosystem for industrial consumers, investments and export.

  • Lisa Baiton, President & CEO, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP)
  • Calvin MacCormack, Executive Vice President, Thermal and Utilities, Northland Power
  • Nicole Foster, Director of AWS Global AI/ML and Canada Public Policy, Amazon

Discussion led by: Nate Heywood, Managing Director, Equity Research – Energy Infrastructure, ATB Capital Markets

4:05 pm Fireside chat: Investing in the energy transition

  • Jennifer Mazin, Managing Partner, Investments Renewables & Transition, Brookfield Asset Management
  • Tom Heintzman, Managing Director and Vice-Chair, Energy Transition & Sustainability, CIBC Capital Markets

Discussion led by: David Chelich, Head, Business Development, Global Energy, TMX Group

4:35 pm Fireside chat: Our nuclear opportunity
Canada is uniquely positioned to be a major player in a global nuclear energy renaissance. Whether it is reducing emissions by 2030 or reaching net zero by 2050, nuclear power will need to play a bigger role in the Canadian and global energy mix of the future. Refurbishments and new builds are either underway or have been announced. Several provinces have either announced, or are exploring, bringing SMRs to their province. The discussion will review these developments and discuss the implications for Canada’s nuclear industry.

  • Jeff Bonham, Vice President, Nuclear, Kiewit
  • Elias Gedeon, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations at Westinghouse Electric Company
  • Jeff Parnell, President, Power Workers’ Union

Chair: Chris Benedetti, Managing Partner, Sussex Strategy Group

5:15 pm

5:30-7:00 pm

Close by Jason Langrish, President, The Energy Roundtable

Networking reception in the SOCO Ballroom foyer