( Click here to view the conference agenda as a PDF.)
With the exceptions of the opening reception on June 9th and the conference dinner on June 10th, all conference sessions will be held at The Old Mill, located at 21 Old Mill Road, Toronto, Ontario, M8X 1G5.
Tuesday, June 9th
3 – 5 p.m. Conference Registration
Lobby of Old Mill Hotel (Note: You do not need to register prior to attending the welcome reception on Tuesday night, as you can register Wednesday morning if that is more convenient.)
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Water Funders’ Gathering – Humber Room (pre-registration required) Click here for details.
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Advisory Committee on Low Carbon Future – Victoria Room (pre-registration required)
5:20 p.m. Departure from the hotel lobby to welcome reception by subway (or travel on your own).
6 – 8 p.m. Welcome Reception
Welcome reception in the Lambert Room, 54th Floor, TD Tower, 66 Wellington Street West. A number of ENGO leaders, as well as other partners and friends of CEGN, will be in attendance. Glen Murray, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Government of Ontario, will provide remarks. We are grateful to TD Friends of the Environment Foundation for sponsoring this opening event of the conference. (There are a number of restaurants in the area if you would like to have dinner downtown after the reception).
Wednesday, June 10th
7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Conference Registration – outside Guildhall
7:15 – 7:45 a.m. A River Walk to Start the Day
Meet in the lobby for a morning walk along the beautiful Humber River with Andre Vallillee, Metcalf Foundation and Chair of CEGN, and Biz Agnew, Wildlife Conservation Society.
8 – 9 a.m. Breakfast and Table Conversations – Guildhall
For those looking for a bit of breakfast conversation, informal table conversations focused on a variety of topics and facilitated by CEGN members, will start at 8:15 sharp. Arrive beforehand to get your breakfast from the buffet and join a table that interests you. Click here for full details about Wednesday’s and Thursday’s table conversations.
9 – 10 a.m. Welcome and Conference Orientation – Guildhall
Andre Vallillee, Metcalf Foundation and Chair of CEGN
Introduction to Conference Theme
Stewart Elgie, Sustainable Prosperity, University of Ottawa
Nothing Rhymes with Ecofiscal: A New Way to Talk About the Economy and the Environment
Chris Ragan, Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission
10 – 10:30 a.m. Dialogue Café – Economic Opportunities and Environmental Imperatives: Exploring Our Many Vantage Points – Guildhall
Facilitated by Tamara Connell, The Natural Step Canada.
10:30 – 10:50 a.m. Break
10:50 – Noon Stories of Success and Promise: The New Economy is Taking Shape in Canada
Speakers include: Merran Smith, Clean Energy Canada; Bryan Gilvesy, YU Ranch; Mike Morrice, Sustainability CoLab; and Sidney Ribaux, Equiterre. The session will be moderated by Jack Wong, Real Estate Foundation of BC.
Noon – 1:15 p.m. Lunch – Westminster Room
Introduction to Lunch Keynote Remarks
Beth Hunter, The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation
The Federal CESD – Role, Reports, Petitions and Future Plans
Julie Gelfand – Commissioner of Environment and Sustainable Development at the Office of the Auditor General of Canada.
1:15 – 2:15 p.m. What it Takes: Personal Perspectives on Leading Change in Canada
Speakers include Tzeporah Berman, New Venture Fund; John Brodhead, Evergreen CityWorks; Melina Laboucan-Massimo, Greenpeace; and Burkhard Mausberg, Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation. The session will be moderated by Stephen Huddart, The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation.
2:15 – 2:30 p.m. Break
2:30 – 3:50 p.m. Skill Building Sessions – Concurrent Sessions
Session #1: Bridging the World of Changemakers and Filmmakers: Increasing the Impact of Philanthropy – Location: Westminster Room
Led by Brett Hendrie, HotDocs; Andrea Nemtin, Inspirit Foundation; and JoAnne Fishburn, Impact Producer. Moderated by Lara Ellis, Ivey Foundation.
Session #2: Responsible Investment Strategies: Advancing Your Mission Through Your Endowment – Location: Balmoral Room
Led by Shannon Rohan of the Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE). Moderated by Julia Langer, Toronto Atmospheric Fund, and Desmond Wilson, The Catherine Donnelly Foundation.
Session #3: What’s New in the World of Charity Regulation? Getting Up to Speed on Political Activities and Other Key CRA Issues – Location: Guildhall
Led by Cathy Hawara, Charities Directorate, Canada Revenue Agency, and Susan Manwaring, Miller Thomson. Moderated by Allan Northcott, Max Bell Foundation.
Session #4: Personal Leadership Development: Enhancing Your Leadership Effectiveness –
Led by Tamara Connell, The Natural Step Canada
4 – 5 p.m. The Big Shift: Capital and a Sustainable Energy Future
Speakers include Jules Kortenhorst, CEO of the Rocky Mountain Institute and founding CEO of the European Climate Foundation; Jenny Russell, The Merck Family Fund; and Guy Burry, Craigellachie Corporation. The session will be moderated by John Cook, Greenchip Financial.
5:10 – 5:30 p.m. CEGN’s Annual General Meeting – Guildhall
(Beer and wine will be served.)
5:30 – 6:15 p.m. Break
6:15 p.m. Departure from the hotel lobby to conference dinner by subway (or travel on your own)
6:45 – 9:30 p.m. Reception and Dinner at the Gardiner Museum, 111 Queens Park (opposite the Royal Ontario Museum)
Reception from 6:45 – 7:30 p.m. Dinner at 7:30 p.m.
Introduction to Dinner Keynote Remarks
Bruce Lourie, Ivey Foundation
What are Canadians thinking?
Bruce Anderson, one of Canada’s leading commentators on public opinion and political affairs, Chairman of Abacus Data, regular member of CBC’s At Issue Panel, and contributor to the Globe and Mail, will join us at our June 10th dinner reception to deliver remarks regarding the state of Canadian politics, the environment, and economy. In the run-up to this year’s federal election, Bruce’s insights on Canadian attitudes based on years of experience assessing public opinion, and more recently with a specific focus on the environment and economy, will set the stage for better understanding how to communicate with and engage Canadians on issues of concern to CEGN and its members.
Thursday, June 11th
7:15 – 7:45 a.m. A River Walk to Start the Day
Meet in the lobby for a walk along the beautiful Humber River, with Andre Vallillee, Metcalf Foundation and Chair of CEGN, and Biz Agnew, Wildlife Conservation Society.
8 – 9 a.m. Breakfast and Table Conversations – Guildhall
For those looking for a bit of breakfast conversation, informal table conversations focused on a variety of topics and facilitated by CEGN members, will start at 8:15 sharp. Arrive beforehand to get your breakfast from the buffet and join a table that interests you. Click here for full details about Wednesday’s and Thursday’s table conversations.
9 – 9:45 a.m. The Collaboration Imperative – Guildhall
Introduction by Cheryl De Paoli, Alberta Real Estate Foundation
Keynote remarks by Chad Park, The Natural Step Canada
9:45 – 10:30 a.m. Fostering a Collaborative Mindset in Funding Strategies – Guildhall
Speakers include Meaghan Calcari Campbell, The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; Julie Price, Tides Canada; and Mary Pickering, Toronto Atmospheric Fund. The session will be moderated by Pat Letzia, Alberta Ecotrust Foundation.
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Break
10:45 – 12:30 p.m. Backcasting from Success: Applying a Strategic Sustainability Perspective as a Grantmaker – Guildhall
In this interactive session, we will examine the gap between our respective program goals and the current reality of areas in which we work. Participants will be able to dive into topics most relevant to their funding areas, discussing how to ensure actions and investments are as strategic as possible. Facilitated by Tamara Connell and Chad Park, The Natural Step Canada.
12:30 p.m. Lunch – Guildhall
Introduction to Lunch Keynote Remarks
Rosalyn Morrison, Toronto Foundation
The 8 80 City: Creating Vibrant & Sustainable Cities for All
Gil Penalosa, 8 80 Cities
2:00 – 2:15 p.m. Closing Remarks – Guildhall
Andre Vallillee, Metcalf Foundation and Chair of CEGN
CEGN thanks the sponsors of our 2015 Conference
Natural Capital Sponsor
Sustainability Champions
Environmental Stewards
Friends
Aveda |Beau’s |Bullfrog Power | Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation Greenchip Financial |Investeco |McLean Foundation |Mountain Equipment Co-op | Neptis Foundation | Pelee Island Winery |Salamander Foundation