Ontario’s First Ever State of the North Summit | April 2, 2015

The Empire Club of Canada Presents:

Ontario’s First Ever State of the North Summit With Opportunities and Challenges in the North: A Panel Discussion with the Business and Political Leaders from Northern Ontario

The Empire Club of Canada is pleased to host a rare and very special public event featuring business and political leaders from North Ontario as they discuss, debate, and offer solutions on the opportunities and challenges of investing in the North. The panel will include: Dave Canfield, President, Northern Ontario Municipal Association, NOMA, and Mayor of Kenora Al Spacek, President, Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities, FONOM, and Mayor of Kapuskasing Lawrence Martin, Grand Chief, Mushkegowuk Council Jamie Lim, President and CEO, Ontario Forest Industries Association, OFIA Joelle Faulkner, President AreaOne Farms Gerald Panneton, Founder and Former President and Chief Executive Officer of Detour Gold Corporation The future wealth of Ontario, and indeed much of Canada, will come from Northern Ontario. Power from rivers, minerals from the Ring of Fire, lumber from the Boreal Forest, and emerging tracks of new agriculture lands are on the near horizon. Yet today, much of Ontario's northern heartland is in crisis. New power projects are mired in government bureaucracy. First Nations communities are struggling. And, there is friction between the new infrastructure and the influence of well meaning environmental groups that has stalled or cancelled projects that threaten not only the future of the North, but the prosperity of Ontario. Yet, there is much to celebrate about Ontario's north, including new investments in lumber and agriculture.

Panelists:

Dave Canfield, President, Northern Ontario Municipal Association, NOMA, and Mayor of Kenora

Al Spacek, President, Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities, FONOM, and Mayor of Kapuskasing

Lawrence Martin, Grand Chief, Mushkegowuk Council

Jamie Lim, President and CEO, Ontario Forest Industries Association, OFIA

Joelle Faulkner, President AreaOne Farms

Gerald Panneton, Founder and Former President and Chief Executive Officer of Detour Gold Corporation

*The content presented is free of charge but please note that the Empire Club of Canada retains copyright. Neither the speeches themselves nor any part of their content may be used for any purpose other than personal interest or research without the explicit permission of the Empire Club of Canada.*

*Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the speakers or panelists are those of the speakers or panelists and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official views and opinions, policy or position held by The Empire Club of Canada.*