Manitoba Green Economy Forum

Description

The Manitoba Green Economy Forum aims to convene key stakeholders from diverse sectors to unveil and discuss the comprehensive industry-level opportunities for Manitoba's Green Advantage. The discussions will spotlight areas with the highest economic impact and opportunities that advance the green economy and drive Manitoba's transition to a net-zero future. Discussions and feedback from the forum will be vital to informing a green economy roadmap for Manitoba. 

Please note that attendance is by invitation only and we kindly ask invited guests to be prepared to actively contribute to these important discussions. Your insights will be highly valued as we work together towards meaningful solutions.  
 

Agenda:

7:30AM - Breakfast & Networking

8:00AM - Opening Remarks

8:30AM - Armchair Discussion with Laurel Broten, CEO of Invest in Canada

• Laurel Broten (B.Sc., B.A., J.D., ICD.D) is the CEO of Invest in Canada, the federal corporation responsible for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) opportunities into Canada. With a focus on positioning Canada on the world stage as a place to do business, Laurel seeks to propel the country’s economic growth from coast to coast to coast, prioritizing green initiatives, accelerating innovation, and finding the best global companies to invest. 
  
  Laurel is the first woman to hold the permanent position of CEO in the organization’s history, bringing 30 years of leadership experience to this role from both the public and private sectors. With expertise in economic development and inclusion, environmental sustainability, and fiscal and regulatory responsibility, Laurel is an award-winning CEO and strategic thinker who brings solutions-oriented ideas to the table, and a builder of meaningful and strategic partnerships between business and government.
  
  Laurel is truly representative of the pan-Canadian organization she helms. Born and raised in the Prairies from Weyburn, Saskatchewan, she is fluently bilingual and a proud Fransaskois; and she has lived and worked in Alberta, Ontario, Québec, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. After graduating with distinction with her Juris Doctor from the University of Western Ontario, Laurel clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada. She then practiced as a commercial and civil litigation lawyer for ten years with three leading Canadian law firms. This was followed by a decade serving as a member of the Ontario provincial parliament in various ministerial positions before launching her own public policy consultancy firm. It was during this time that Laurel conducted the first comprehensive assessment of Nova Scotia’s tax and regulatory system. Upon conclusion of this mandate, she was appointed President and CEO of Nova Scotia’s provincial investment attraction and export development agency, a position she held for nearly eight years prior to joining Invest in Canada. 
  
  Laurel engages with communities across Canada by serving as a mentor, advisor, volunteer, and board director with organizations that include but are not limited to King’s Trust Canada (formerly the Prince’s Trust). She is also the proud recipient of several awards and recognitions, including Atlantic Business Magazine's Top 25 Most Powerful Women, Top 50 CEOs, and Business Hall of Fame; the YWCA of Halifax’s Wall of Honour; Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100: CIBC Trailblazers and Trendsetters; the Women in Communication and Technology Gamechanger Award; and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal                              

9:15AM - Manitoba Green Advantage

• A presentation on the research and economic analysis of Manitoba's Green Advantage. Learn about the methodology and industry opportunities unique to Manitoba.                                          

9:45AM - Break

10:00AM - Working Session

• Group discussion led by inVision Edge gathering feedback that will inform the Manitoba Green Economy Roadmap.

12:00PM - Lunch

12:30PM - Industry Expert Panel 

• These industry leaders will share success stories, explore key challenges, innovations, and opportunities for collaboration to drive Manitoba's progress in the green economy followed by a Q&A session with the audience. 

  Expert Panelists: 

  • Colleen Kuruluk, CEO, Efficiency Manitoba 
  • Fred Meier, President & CEO, RRC Polytech 
  • Jack Winram, Executive Director, Manitoba Environmental Industries Association 

1:15PM - Next Steps Discussion

1:45PM - Closing Remarks

2:00PM - Event Concludes