Top business and government leaders gather for PPF Growth Summit and Testimonial Dinner on April 12

Date: Monday April 9, 2018

Canada Growth Summit 3  |  #PPFgrowth

TORONTO, ON, April 9, 2018 – The Public Policy Forum is bringing together Canada’s major government and business leaders April 12 in Toronto for its third annual Canada Growth Summit to debate issues around AI, the future of work, infrastructure, the economy and how to enhance growth and prosperity for Canadians.

“Canada has been predicted to outperform many of its G7 counterparts on economic growth in the immediate term,” said Edward Greenspon, President and CEO of the Public Policy Forum. “However, innovation, productivity, competitiveness and inclusive growth remain a challenge. This is what our notable panelists will discuss and debate at the summit.”

Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England, and Dominic Barton, Chair of the Canadian Minister of Finance’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth, will give keynote addresses. Governor Carney will look at the future of jobs, while Mr. Barton’s keynote will focus on what the Growth Council has achieved, what it hasn’t, what seems most doable and where he thinks it will take Canada in five years.

Katie Telford, Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of Canada, will be speaking about how to build a truly inclusive economy.

Attendees will also have the chance to question Canada’s Finance Minister, Bill Morneau, and federal Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains during the summit. Mr. Morneau will speak on inclusive growth while Mr. Bains will provide an update on the government’s supercluster initiative.

Other notable panelists throughout the day include: Microsoft Canada President Kevin Peesker; Linamar CEO Linda Hasenfratz; Toronto Region Board of Trade CEO Jan De Silva; AI leaders Elissa Strome and Yoshua Bengio; Deloitte Global Advisor Zabeen Hirji; and Sheldon Levy, CEO of NEXT Canada. 

Two breakfast sessions will precede the summit: Navigating an AI World, and The Canada Infrastructure Bank: Ready for Takeoff?

A complete event agenda and list of speakers can be found here.

Event Details

What: Canada Growth Summit 3: Going the Distance

Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre

When: Thursday, April 12, 2018

Breakfast sessions: 7:15 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. (North Building)

Growth Summit: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (South Building)

Livestream: CPAC.ca or PPF’s YouTube channel

31st Testimonial Dinner & Awards | #PPFawards

TORONTO, ON, April 9, 2018 – The Public Policy’s Testimonial Dinner & Awards gala will be held on Thursday, April 12, 2018, to pay tribute to distinguished Canadians who have made outstanding contributions to public policy and good governance. This annual reunion of the “who’s who” in public policy attracts more than 1,300 leaders from all sectors of society.

This year, PPF is honouring seven notable Canadians:

  • Mark Carney is the charismatic banker charged with bringing two G7 economies through extreme turbulence. Mr. Carney is the former Bank of Canada Governor who now serves as the head of the central bank in the United Kingdom.
  • Beverley McLachlin is the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. Her critical rulings and leadership redefined post-Charter Canada.
  • Richard Dicerni is a veteran public servant who throughout his career advised the federal government and two provincial governments, serving in governments led by all three of the major political parties. He exemplifies what it means to be a true, committed public servant.
  • Michael Donovan, an Academy Award winner and children’s programmer will be honoured along with Mary Walsh, the East Coast warrior princess, as co-creators of This Hour Has 22 Minutes and their contribution to political satire.
  • Francine Pelletier, the Quebec feminist journalist will be receiving the Hyman Solomon Award for Excellence in Public Policy Journalism.
  • Caitlin Tolley will be receiving the Emerging Leader Award for her work advocating on Indigenous issues.

Rosemary Barton, co-anchor of CBC’s flagship news program, The National, will host the event.

After the Testimonial Dinner, guests are invited to attend the ‘Wonk Prom,’ the official after party, at the Steam Whistle Brewery, for a night of networking, dancing and good cheer.

Event Details

What: 31st Annual Testimonial Dinner & Awards

When: Thursday, April 12, 2018

5-6 p.m. – Reception

6-9 p.m. – Awards dinner

9-10 p.m. – Dessert reception

9 p.m. onward – Wonk Prom

Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building

Wonk Prom – Steam Whistle Brewery, 255 Bremner Boulevard

Livestream: CPAC.ca or PPF’s YouTube channel