TOCW Flagship Event: Natural Resources, Infrastructure & Energy - Building for the Climate We’re Entering.
How can Canada modernize its natural resource and industrial base while reinforcing global leadership in responsible development? During this Toronto Climate Week Flagship event, the session will explore how critical minerals, sustainable forestry, electrification, grid resilience, and low-carbon infrastructure can drive productivity, energy security, and long-term economic strength.
To build at scale, we need to bridge the gap between vision and investment. This session breaks down the real-world tools (credible certifications, de-risked financing, and deeply rooted Indigenous partnerships) that unlock private capital and get major resources and infrastructure projects off the sidelines.
This event is proudly sponsored by:
BGIS, a global leader in integrated facility management and real estate services, partners with clients globally to bring innovative solutions to life.
Forest Stewardship Council, the world’s most trusted sustainable forest management solution, helps protect forests, biodiversity, and the communities that depend on them through responsible certification standards.
Green Municipal Fund, supports Canadian municipalities with funding, financing, and capacity-building to accelerate climate-smart infrastructure, sustainable housing, and resilient community solutions.
Natural Resources, Infrastructure & Energy Agenda
8:30 - registration opens
9:00 - 9:05
Opening Remarks
Graham Allen, Manager - Investments and Partnerships (Office of Energy, Research and Development) - Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
9:05 - 9:35
Keynote Presentation: Climate Competitiveness in Canada: From Targets to Delivery
Suha Jethalal, President at Bullfrog Power
9:40 - 10:10
MarsDD FOAK Panel
Wendy Potomski, Executive Director at Global Climate Finance Accelerator
Simon Bibeau, Director at Canada Growth Fund
Matt Cherevaty, Chief Operating Officer at Cyclic Materials
Moderator: Alexandra Zakreski, Sr Manager, Cleantech Ecosystem at MarsDD FOAK Labs
10:10 - 10:25
Coffee / Networking Break
10:25 - 10:55
Panel: What Counts as Infrastructure in a Net-Zero Economy?
Monika Patel, President & CEO at Forest Stewardship Council
Matthew Hickey, Partner at Two Row
Rasoul Yousefpour, Associate Professor at UoftT, Mass Timber Institute
Moderator: Shoshanna Saxe, Associate Professor, Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering at UoftT
Purpose: Expand the definition of infrastructure beyond steel and concrete
Topics:
Forests as carbon + material infrastructure
Mass timber vs. traditional construction
Natural assets (watersheds, urban forests)
Indigenous stewardship as infrastructure governance
10:55 - 11:00
Panel Introduction
Phil De Luna, Co-Founder & CTO at CURA
11:00 - 11:30
Panel: Closing the Implementation Gap - Turning Climate Targets into Infrastructure Performance
Sonia Avolio, Director - Energy, Sustainability & Climate Resilience at BGIS
Caroline Karvonen - Vice President of Sustainability & Stakeholder Relations at BOMA Toronto
Stéfanie Rondou-Pontbriand, Sr Manager, Decarbonization Strategy and Sustainability Programs at Air Canada
Moderator: Irena Stankovic, Partnership & Sponsorship Lead at TOCW
Purpose: How large building portfolios translate climate commitments into measurable energy, emissions, and capital outcomes through operational programs and smart infrastructure
11:30 - 11:40
Coffee / Networking
11:40 - 12:05
Panel - Are We Building for the Climate We’re Entering?
Marieke Cloutier, Sr Director Programs at Green Municipal Fund
Chris Despins, Climate Change Adaption, Office of Climate Change and Energy Management at Region of Peel
Kathryn Bakos, Managing Director, Finance & Resilience at Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation
Lisa MacTavish - Project Lead, Resilience at the City of Toronto
Moderator: Connie Vitello, Award winning editor and writer at SiteMedia
Purpose: Shift from mitigation to adaptation reality
Topics:
Infrastructure designed for future climate risk
Cost of inaction vs. proactive investment
Municipal exposure
Role of operational intelligence and monitoring
Insurance and asset risk
12:05 - 12:50
Debate: An exciting debate on Artificial Intelligence in Canada and our Competitiveness in the Green Economy
Debating in favour of AI growth and Canada's place in the Green Economy - Jim Harris, AI International Best-Selling Author
Debating that AI has pitfalls to manage and Canada's strategies would need a "reboot" to be competitive - David A. Wolfe, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at UofT
Moderator: Rachel Doran, President & Executive Director at Clean Energy Canada
12:50 - 1:00
Closing Remarks:
Lindsay Hampson President of ThisRock
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