Join your peers at Legal ESG: Toronto - May 29th 2024 - to discuss, debate, and examine the future of ESG across the Canadian legal profession.
As society grapples with increasingly urgent environmental, social, and governance issues, lawyers throughout the profession must step up to advise and guide clients and companies on this journey.
From climate change and biodiversity loss to resource extraction, Indigenous reconciliation, and regional, national, and global regulations and reporting, Canada's unique ESG challenges reflect the country's distinct environmental, social, and economic contexts.
Hosted by Gowling WLG - Legal ESG: Toronto, scheduled for May 29th, 2024, is an opportunity for law firm leaders, inhouse lawyers, clients, and ESG experts to gather, learn from each other, and drive ESG progress in Canada. It is a chance to celebrate the progress made, confront the challenges that lie ahead, and commit to a future where ESG is an integral part of the legal profession and its service to clients.
Do not miss this opportunity to contribute to the conversation and participate in this historic event.
AGENDA
AGENDA
8:45 AM – 8:50 AM
Chairpersons Welcome
Pamela Cone / CEO / Amity Advisory
8:50 AM - 9:15 AM Opening Keynote
Canada's ESG Evolution: Catalyzing Change Across the Legal Profession
This opening session will address how the legal profession is navigating Canada’s unique and rapidly evolving ESG landscape, pioneering ESG initiatives, regulatory changes, the role of legal counsel and the challenges of balancing economic considerations with environmental and social governance.
SPEAKER
Stephen Pike / Partner / Gowling WLG
9:15 AM -10:30 AM Panel Discussion
Environmental Advocacy in Law: A Path to Sustainable Change
This session will spotlight the pivotal role of environmental law in shaping a sustainable future. It will examine the intricacies of environmental regulations, the impact of climate change on legal frameworks, and the emerging trends in green litigation.
MODERATOR
Stephen Pike / Partner / Gowling WLG
PANEL
TBA
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM Networking Break
10:45 AM - 11:15 AM Presentation
Greenwashing Canada: Tackling Misleading Environmental Claims
This pivotal session aims to unravel the complex issue of greenwashing within the Canadian context.
SPEAKERS
Melissa Tehrani / Partner/ Gowling WLG
Christopher Oates / Partner / Gowling WLG
Tanya Jemec / Finance Lawyer / EcoJustice Canada
Calvin Sandborn /
Former Legal Director /
UVic Environmental Law Centre
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM Discussion
From Policy to Practice: Enabling Energy Transition
Join three leaders from energy companies in Canada at the forefront of facilitating the energy transition across Canada. In this session, panelists, Leah Elliott, (Loblaw Companies Limited), Jessica Catton Rinaldi (Enwave Energy), and Kristine Chandler, (Elexicon Energy) will join moderator John Vellone (Borden Ladner Gervais), to explore the intersection between policy mandates and implementing energy transition best practices and discuss best practices in net-zero strategy and execution. Attendees will gain practical insights into the legal challenges and opportunities that organizations face, get a glimpse of technology innovations on the horizon, and hear from these accomplished GCs and VPs about the pivotal role counsel can play in driving sustainability.
MODERATOR
John Vellone / Partner and National Business Leader, Energy, Resources & Renewables / Borden Ladner Gervais
PANEL
Leah Elliott / Vice President, Legal Counsel / Loblaw Companies Limited
Jessica Catton Rinaldi / General Counsel / Enwave
Kristine Chandler
/
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary /
Elexicon Energy
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM Networking Lunch
12:45 PM - 1:15PM Presentation
Climate Crosshairs: Legal Solutions for Canada's Climate Challenges
During this session, we will explore the significant impacts of the climate crisis on Canada, encompassing environmental, economic, and social dimensions.
SPEAKER
Laura Zizzo / Co-founder & CEO /
Manifest Climate
1:15 PM - 2:30 PM Discussion
Leadership in an Activist Era
A 2019 survey by global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills highlighted that over 80% of companies predicted a rise in workforce activism, with 95% expecting an increase in employee use of social media to amplify their voices. it has, so far, been clear that values are a significant trigger for activism, with issues related to the environment, climate change and diversity holding the limelight. Gone are the days where organizations can stay silent on workplace and social issues and exist in a neutral space. So how do leaders determine when to speak up and how to do so effectively? This discussion will explore practical tips for navigating this complicated space.
MODERATOR
Katie Stowe / Principal / Impact Matters Consulting
PANEL
Sacha de Klerk / VP, Business Ethics, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion / WSIB
Simon Townsend / Principal Consultant / Arc Communications
Simone Samuels / Senior Advisor, EDI, Office of the Vice-Provost, Division of Students / York University
2:30 PM - 2:45 PM Networking Break
2:45 PM - 3:30 PM Presentation
ESG Reporting: Means to an End? Management Tool? Management Responsibility? Value Creation?
This session will dissect the multifaceted nature of reporting, examining whether it is merely a procedural necessity or plays a more profound role as a management tool, a responsibility, or a catalyst for value creation.
It will explore the strategic importance of reporting in driving transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement, assessing its impact on sustainable business practices and organizational growth.
Gain insights into optimizing reporting processes to align with broader corporate objectives, thereby enhancing both immediate and long-term value.
SPEAKER
Marie-Josée Privyk / ESG Advisor /
FinComm Services
3:30 PM - 3:45 PM Presentation
Turning Sustainability into Your Firm's Competitive Edge
Join Corinne Hanson, VP of Sustainability at Greenplaces, as she shares insights on how law firms can leverage the current sustainability landscape to stand out from the competition. In this engaging talk, you'll discover compelling reasons why embracing sustainability is crucial for your firm's success, the latest regulations and legal challenges, and how to navigate them with confidence, and how Greenplaces can be your trusted partner in kickstarting your carbon accounting and reporting journey.
SPEAKER
Corinne Hanson
VP of Sustainability
Greenplaces
3:45 PM - 4:15 PM Panel Discussion
Bridging Worlds: Aligning Sustainable Practices with the Rights, Traditions, and Aspirations of Canada's Indigenous Population
This session focuses on the unique ESG challenges and opportunities related to Canada's Indigenous populations. It will explore how sustainable practices can be aligned with the rights, traditions, and aspirations of Indigenous communities.
The discussion will emphasize the importance of collaborative approaches, respecting Indigenous knowledge in environmental stewardship, and integrating social and governance aspects to foster equitable partnerships.
This dialogue aims to highlight paths toward more inclusive and respectful ESG initiatives that honor the vital role of Indigenous peoples in shaping Canada's sustainable future.
SPEAKER
TBA
4:15 PM - 4:30 PM Networking Break
4:30 PM - 5:15 PM Panel Discussion
Global Impact on Canada: USA, UK, EU (European Union)
This concluding session explores the extensive influence of global developments—specifically from the USA, UK, and EU—on Canada's legal, economic, and environmental landscapes. It will highlight how international policies, market trends, geopolitics, and environmental agreements are shaping Canada's strategic responses and compliance frameworks, focusing on the implications for ESG initiatives. The importance of cross-border collaboration and the adaptive strategies needed for Canada to thrive in a globally interconnected context, ensuring resilience and sustainable growth in the face of international shifts. What is next? Where do we go from here? How to advise clients?
MODERATOR
Pamela Cone / CEO / Amity Advisory
PANEL
Stephen Pike / Partner / Gowling WLG
Bruno Caron / Partner / Miller Thomson
Shelley Gilberg / ESG Markets Leader / PWC
Gillian Henry / ESG Advisor /
Former Export Development Canada
5:15 PM - 5:30 PM
Closing Remarks
Pamela Cone / CEO / Amity Advisory
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Networking Reception
REGISTRATION
For corporate counsel, academic, student, and team rates are available in request, please contact us for more information
Super Early Bird
Available through 03/08/24
Full event access for
1 participant
Includes access to all:
$695
Early Bird
(Available through 04/26/24)
Full event access for
1 participant
Includes access to all:
$795
Regular
(Available through 05/29/24)
Full event access for
1 participant
Includes access to all:
$895
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