Race for Space: Navigating Toronto's Employment Lands Crisis

11:00 – 11:30 am: Registration and Networking 

11:30 – 11:35 am: Welcome Remarks

• Giles Gherson, President and CEO, Toronto Region Board of Trade

11:35 am – 12:15 pm: Competing for Space in a Competitive Global Economy

Industrial and commercial lands power our economy, supporting high-productivity sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and transportation that  make our region a powerhouse.

In these short, powerful talks, gain insights into how Toronto’s employment lands compare with those of other global economic regions. Learn how cities worldwide are adopting forward-looking strategies to protect and elevate their high-productivity sectors – and how one of our region’s greatest advantages is under threat. 

Should we rethink how these lands are classified to better meet today’s needs? What are alternative models to provide regulator certainty for business investments decisions to locate and grow your business.

• Eric Aderneck, Industrial Lands Planner, Metro Vancouver
• Karen Chapple, Director, School of Cities & Professor, University of Toronto
• Chris Barnett, Partner, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

Moderator:

• Roselle Martino, Executive Vice-President, Policy, Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement, Toronto Region Board of Trade

12:15 – 1:05 pm: Lunch

1:05 – 1:50 pm: If You Zone It, Will They Come? Investment Attraction from a Business and Developer Perspective

Site selection is critical to the success of any business or development. Government planning and zoning can help create the conditions for success, but what entitlement constraints must be managed and business requirements met to turn the best laid plans into a thriving industrial reality?  Hear from those on the front lines of Canada’s industrial heartland as they attempt to makes sense of location intelligence, access to power and talent, while managing pressure from housing and speculation.

Jon Ramscar, President and CEO of CBRE Canada, shares a vision for industrial investment and stories from commercial real estate advisors helping businesses to grow in the region. Following his keynote, Jon will be joined by Bill Bates, Vice President, Investment Officer at Prologis, to discuss lessons learned, a global perspective on logistics real estate development and how Prologis has navigated building its footprint for companies across the Greater Toronto Area.

1:50 – 2:30 pm: Lessons From the Frontlines: Navigating Land Use Conflicts

For many businesses in manufacturing, logistics, and distribution, operating outside larger industrial zones means facing complex challenges—from zoning disputes to conflicts over noise and operating hours. How do these companies manage the pressure of regulatory uncertainty and adapt to land use conflicts?

In this session, you will gain insights from the frontlines, from leaders who will provide lessons from how they have been impacted by and addressed these challenges. Gain insights into the options available to businesses caught in this landscape of shifting regulations and competing land demands and explore the potential long-term impact on Toronto’s economic resilience.

• Angel Chacon, Eastern Canada Operations Manager, Canada Fuels Operations, Imperial
• Chris Simons, Vice President, Real Estate, Purolator
• Chris Galway, Senior Land Manager, Eastern Canada, Lafarge Canada

Moderator:

• Tara Vinodrai, Professor and Director, Masters in Urban Innovation (MUI), University of Toronto

2:30 – 3:00 pm: Fireside Chat with Mayor Patrick Brown

• His Worship Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton

Moderator:

• Giles Gherson

3:00 – 3:20 pm: Networking Break

3:20 – 3:55 pm: Spotlight: Safeguarding Toronto’s Economic Powerhouses

The Toronto region’s essential employment and productivity hubs—anchored by key assets like ports, airports, and multi-modal facilities—are under threat. These strategic zones, supported by a dense network of rail and highways and ideally located near talent and markets, are fundamental to the region’s economic resilience.

This panel will explore the role of protected zones where residential uses are prohibited. Where should these zones be located, and how can they be preserved to ensure Toronto’s economic assets are shielded from competing land demands and land use conflicts? Join our experts as they discuss strategies for integrated planning and long-term visioning to secure these vital areas as pillars of productivity and growth.

• Larissa Fenn, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA)
• Chris Rickett, Executive Director, Stakeholder Relations and Partnerships, Greater Toronto Airports Authority (Toronto Pearson International Airport)
• Paul Doyle, Chief Financial Officer, Atlantic Packaging

Moderator:

• Charles Finley, Chief Growth Officer, MTE Consultants

3:55 – 4:25 pm: Locating and Growing in Toronto - A C-Suite Perspective

Gain insights into what global companies experience when they invest and set up shop in the Toronto region? In this session, senior executives from leading firms share firsthand insights into why they chose Toronto, the opportunities and challenges they encountered, and what’s needed to ensure their long-term success here.

Our panel will explore what companies need from governments to create an environment where global businesses not only stay but thrive. Learn what these leaders view as Toronto’s unique strengths—and what strategic actions are needed to bolster our region’s appeal as a competitive economic powerhouse.

• Eric Carrier, Head of Finance, Mondelez Canada
• Dag Enhorning, President, Siltech Corporation

Moderator:

• Giles Gherson

4:25 – 4:30 pm: Closing Remarks

• Giles Gherson

4:30 – 5:30 pm Cocktail Networking Reception