2024 Ontario Economic Summit

On November 20 to 21, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) hosted its 2024 Ontario Economic Summit (OES) at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

To seize the future, Ontario’s businesses and workforce must be adaptable, innovative and productive. This year’s focus on Future-Proofing Ontario: Building an Inclusive, Sustainable Economy, featured engaging keynote speeches, interactive sessions, expert panel discussions, and the return of the OCC’s Policy Debate Series.

Highlights of this year’s event included:

The Mayor of Toronto, Her Worship Olivia Chow, Ontario’s Minister of Finance, and the Honourable Peter Bethlenfalvy delivered a passionate keynote address on the importance of future-proofing Ontario.

Ontario’s Premier, the Honourable Doug Ford, also announced WSIB rebates and fee reductions totaling $2.5 billion for businesses and workers.

Keynote Speakers

• Ambassador David L. Cohen, U.S. Ambassador to Canada
• Ambassador Bob Rae, Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations
• Douglas Porter, Chief Economist and Managing Director Economics, BMO

Cabinet Minister Roundtables with:

• The Hon. Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
• The Hon. Mike Harris, Minister of Red Tape Reduction
• The Hon. Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health
• The Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification
• The Hon. Todd McCarthy, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement
• The Hon. Caroline Mulroney, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Francophone Affairs
• The Hon. George Pirie, Minister of Mines
• The Hon. Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges and Universities
• The Hon. Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation
• The Hon. Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business

Panel Discussions and Fireside Chats:

Leading Growth in Uncertain Times

• Gervan Fearon, President, George Brown College
• Barbara Zvan, President and Chief Executive Officer, University Pension Plan Ontario
• Moderator: Daniel Tisch, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Catalyzing the Bio-Economy—Seizing Ontario’s Life Sciences Advantage

• Christine Allen, Professor and Entrepreneur, University of Toronto
• Alex Wellstead, Director, Public Affairs and Government Relations, Novartis
• Peter van der Velden, Managing General Partner, Lumira Ventures
• Moderator: Avis Favaro, Senior Advisor, Santis Health

The Canada—U.S. Relationship in a Shifting Political Landscape

• Ambassador David L. Cohen, U.S. Ambassador to Canada
• Tausha Michaud, Senior Vice-President, McMillan Vantage

Reconciliation as an Economic Imperative: Growing a $100 Billion Indigenous Economy

• Clio Straram, Head, Indigenous Banking, BMO
• Carol Plummer, Executive Vice-President, Sustainability, People and Culture, Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.
• Marsha Josephs, Executive Director, Indigenous Institutes Consortium
• Denise Atkinson, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Tea Horse and Tipi Horse Connects
• Moderator: Matthew Foss, Vice-President, Research and Public Policy, Canadian Council for Indigenous Business

Presenting the Future: Ontario’s Competitive Energy Evolution

• Vasudha Seth, Vice-President, Strategy, ArcelorMittal Dofasco
• Kim Lauritsen, Senior Vice-President Enterprise Strategy and Energy Markets, OPG
• Brian Johnson, General Manager and Senior Vice-President Ontario, Gas Distribution and Storage, Enbridge Inc.
• Moderator: Ted Gruetzner, Vice-President, Energy and Resources, Global Public Affairs

OCC’s Policy Debate: Be it Resolved: Ontario Is Losing Its Global Competitive Advantage

• Drew Fagan, Professor, Munk School/University of Toronto and Senior Advisor, McMillan Vantage
• Flavio Volpe, President, Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association
• Mike P. Moffatt, Founding Director, PLACE Centre, Smart Prosperity Institute
• Robin Shaban, Associate Partner, Deetken Insight and Co-Founder and Chair, Canadian Anti-Monopoly
• Moderator: Steve Paikin, Anchor, “The Agenda,” TVO

AI-Powered Growth: Opportunity for Emerging Technology

• Dana O’Born, Vice-President, Strategy and Advocacy, Council of Canadian Innovators
• Dr. Joël Blit, Associator Professor, University of Waterloo
• John Weigelt, National Technology Officer, Microsoft Canada
• Moderator: Stephanie Holko, Director, Project Development, NGen Canada

Learn more about OES 2024’s programming in the agenda.

For 2025 partnership opportunities, contact Brent Edwards, OCC’s Key Account Manager, at brentedwards@occ.ca.