8:00 AM – 8:45 AM Registration / Breakfast 

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 

Anton Tabuns / Senior Sustainability Counsel / BMO

Liane Langstaff / Partner / Environmental Law & Co-Leader, ESG Advisory Services / Gowling WLG 

Jennifer King / Partner / National Co-Lead – Administrative Law Practice Group (Canada) / Gowling WLG 

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 - 1:15 PM Presentation 

Legal Strategies and Tech Advancements for Canada's Climate Challenges 

Join us for this session as we explore the complex interplay between legal strategies and decision-making, climate change, and technological innovation in addressing Canada's pressing climate challenges. During this session, we will dive into:

• Understanding the Climate Crisis: The significant impacts of the climate crisis on Canada's environment and their far-reaching implications for communities, the economy, and infrastructure. Gain insights into the evolving landscape of climate-related risks and their implications for legal frameworks and decision-making processes.
• Legislative Solutions: Explore how legislation and policy can encourage positive change, foster resilience, and mitigate the risks of climate change, particularly in the context of vulnerable communities and ecosystems with adaptive strategies.
• Harnessing Technological Solutions: Uncover how technology-driven solutions are revolutionizing climate risk management, paving the way for effective and efficient climate solutions that empower stakeholders across various sectors with better insights, practices, and decision-making

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 

Adam Chamberlain / Partner / Gowling WLG

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