Ambassadors Cohen and Rae to Speak at the 2024 Ontario Economic Summit

TORONTO, ON – Thursday, October 3, 2024 – The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is delighted to announce that U.S. Ambassador David L. Cohen and Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, Bob Rae will address its 21st annual Ontario Economic Summit (OES), which returns to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on November 20-21, 2024.

This year’s summit, themed Future-Proofing Ontario: Building an Inclusive, Sustainable Economy, will feature high-profile keynote speakers, interactive sessions, expert panel discussions, and the return of the OCC’s Policy Debate Series. Key topics include sustainable growth, driving economic reconciliation, offering cutting-edge strategies to navigate the complex global economic landscape, and leveraging Ontario’s life sciences advantage.

David L. Cohen, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, will participate in a fireside chat at this year’s summit on the importance of the Canada-U.S. relationship to our economic future. The past few years have been characterized by tremendous uncertainty due to a prolonged pandemic, record-high inflation, supply chain disruptions, protectionist sentiments, and geopolitical turmoil. Post-U.S. election, this is an invaluable opportunity to speak about the importance of economic collaboration and the broader impact we can have on the global stage.

Bob Rae, Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, will also join OES 2024. A former Ontario premier and the current president of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, Ambassador Rae will examine today’s global geopolitical climate and the risks and opportunities for Ontario. The ambassador will also share ideas on how inclusive, sustainable development could be a competitive advantage for Canada.

“At a pivotal moment in Ontario’s economic history, future-proofing Ontario means prioritizing productivity, innovation, and growth,” says Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the OCC. “Today, more than ever, the Ontario Economic Summit is an opportunity for leaders from all sectors to convene for dialogue on how to ensure growth is inclusive and sustainable for all Ontarians.”

Stay tuned for further announcements regarding the agenda and esteemed speakers. For more information, please visit www.occ.ca, and for sponsorship opportunities, please contact Brent Edwards, OCC’s Key Account Manager, at brentedwards@occ.ca.

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) stands as the indispensable partner of businesses and Canada’s largest, most influential provincial chamber. Operating as an independent, non-profit advocacy and member services organization, the OCC represents a diverse network of 60,000 members. Its mission is to convene, align, and advance the interests of its members through principled policy work, value-added business services, and broad engagement to drive competitiveness and inclusive, sustainable economic growth.

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