Empire Club of Canada

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: Jan H. Westcott, President and CEO, Spirits Canada/Association of Canadian Distillers With Canada’s World Class Spirits Industry on the International Stage‎ This year a Canadian Whisky, Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye, was honoured as 2016 World Whisky of the Year. Canadian Whisky once dominated the world of whiskies. Canadian based Seagram's was the largest distiller in North America, and at one time Gooderham and Worts contributed more to federal coffers than any other enterprise in the country. Canada has shown we can still produce great whiskies. What does it take to nurture a world class industry? Join us to hear Jan Westcott, President and CEO of Spirits Canada and enjoy a taste of the Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye, included in your luncheon ticket. Mr. Westcott has represented the Canadian distilling industry since 1998 and was a key player during three major milestones for Canada's beverage alcohol business. As President of the Canadian Wine Institute, he was part of key negotiations with the US and Europe which set the stage for greater access to imported wines. He also represented the industry during the Canada US Free Trade Agreement, helping to lay the ground work for the enormous success currently enjoyed by the Canadian wine industry. During a US dispute before the WTO over Canada's protectionist practices, as CEO of the Brewers of Ontario, he participated in negotiations that led to significant changes to the availability of imported beers. He knows the business! His talk will address the importance of the spirits industry to Canada's economy jobs and wealth creation and its integral role in Canadian agriculture. Canadian Whisky dominated the world stage long before Scotland had even coined the term Single Malt. Other countries have shown what investment in their beverage industries can achieve. Come out to experience a Canadian winner and learn what it will take to propel our own home grown industry to its former glory. Speaker: Jan H. Westcott, President and CEO, Spirits Canada/Association of Canadian Distillers *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.*

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Canada With Air Canada: A World of Opportunities‎ Calin Rovinescu was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada on April 1, 2009. Mr. Rovinescu is also the Chairman of the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board, CEB, the controlling body of the Alliance with each of the 27 member airlines represented by their respective CEO. He is a Member of the Board of Governors of the International Air Transport Association, IATA, and served as its Chairman from June 2014 to June 2015. From 2004 until his re joining Air Canada, Mr. Rovinescu was a Co founder and Principal of Genuity Capital Markets, an independent investment bank. Mr. Rovinescu first joined Air Canada in 2000 as Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy, where he was Chairman of, and had oversight for many of the airline's businesses including loyalty management, Aeroplan, regional carriers Jazz, and maintenance, repair and overhaul, ACTS. He also had overall responsibility for a number of corporate functions including Legal, Information and Technology, E Commerce, People, Labour, Government Affairs, Communications, Alliances and Corporate Secretariat. In addition, Mr. Rovinescu held the position of Chief Restructuring Officer during the airline's 2003 to 2004 restructuring. Prior to 2000, he was the Managing Partner of the law firm Stikeman Elliott in Montreal, where he practiced law for over 20 years in the areas of corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions, and was a member of the firm's Partnership Board and Executive Committee. Mr. Rovinescu received his LL.B from the University of Ottawa in 1980, his LL.L. from the University of Montreal in 1978, and his D.E.C. from McGill University in 1974. He is also the recipient of Honorary Doctorate of Laws degrees from each of the University of Ottawa and the University of Montreal, both awarded in 2014. Speaker: Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer, Air Canada *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.*

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: Her Excellency Vivian Bercovici, Canadian Ambassador to Israel With Israel: The Global Tech Innovation Hub. Why Canadian Business Should Be There‎ Since January, 2014, Ambassador Bercovici has served as Canada's Ambassador to the State of Israel. She has maintained a strong interest in Israel for decades, professionally and personally. In addition to having studied at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem from 1981 to 1982, Ambassador Bercovici wrote a monthly column for the Toronto Star on Israel and Mid East issues prior to her appointment. From 1990 until January, 2014, Ambassador Bercovici practiced law in Toronto, focusing on media defence work and regulatory insurance matters. She took a brief hiatus from practice from 1995 to 1997, when she was a policy adviser to Ontario's minister of fin president, general counsel and corporate secretary of a major Canadian insurance company. From 2006 until her appointment as Ambassador, Ms. Bercovici was in private practice in Toronto, representing significant Canadian and global clients in the financial services sector as well as the Government of Canada in claims-related negotiations with several First Nations. Ambassador Bercovici has been a member of the boards of CBC Radio Canada and the Canadian Journalism Foundation. As well, she has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto in the Faculty of Law. She has degrees from York University, the London School of Economics and Political Science and the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law. A very proud Toronto resident all her life, Ambassador Bercovici also raised her two daughters in the city. She is deeply committed to developing all aspects of the Cana challenges of living and working in Israel. She speaks Hebrew well. Speaker: Her Excellency Vivian Bercovici, Canadian Ambassador to Israel *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.*

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: Neil Bruce, President and Chief Executive Officer, SNC Lavalin With SNC Lavalin: Shaping the Future‎ Neil Bruce is President and CEO, and a member of the Board of Directors, of SNC Lavalin, one of the world's foremost engineering and construction companies, with 40,000 employees operating in over 50 countries and close to $10 billion in revenue. The company serves global and local clients across four sectors Power, Oil and Gas, Mining and Metallurgy, and Infrastructure, as well as has equity participation in infrastructure assets. Mr. Bruce has over 30 years experience in the oil and gas, mining, energy and infrastructure industries, leading global businesses, designing strategic acquisitions that build shareholder value, and growing longstanding relationships with government, industry bodies and clients around the world. Before being appointed President and CEO of SNC Lavalin, Mr. Bruce was Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the company's operations to improve operational execution and deliver on the company's business plans. Prior, he was President of the Resources, Environment and Water group, leading the company's global businesses in oil and gas, mining and metallurgy, environment and water. During this period, Mr. Bruce was the architect of the Kentz acquisition that transformed SNC Lavalin's oil and gas business from a niche 3,000-employee player into a 20,000 strong, world class organization. Prior to joining SNC Lavalin, Mr. Bruce spent 15 years at AMEC, as both Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of the FTSE 100 company. He was responsible for the operational delivery of the company's high value consultancy, engineering and project management services to the oil and gas, minerals and metals, clean energy, environment and infrastructure markets worldwide. He identified, negotiated and integrated a number of acquisitions to bring the company to over 30,000 employees in 40 countries at his departure. Mr. Bruce is a Chartered Marine Architect and holds a Master's Degree, both from Newcastle University. Throughout his career, he maintained a strong association and supported education in engineering and people development. He is an Honorary Professor at Aberdeen Business School at Robert Gordon University, where he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration. He is also a fellow of both the Energy Institute and the Institute of Directors based in the UK, from whom he was awarded the Director Award for Developing Young People in 2008. Mr. Bruce has also been an avid supporter of industry development and philanthropic organizations, including former Chairman of the UKTI Oil and Gas Sector Advisory Group, a member of the UK Government's new Trade and Economic Growth Board for Scotland, patron of the CLAN Cancer Link Aberdeen and North East, charity, and a Trustee of Engineers Against Poverty. In 2012, Mr. Bruce was appointed Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, OBE, by The Queen in Her Majesty's New Year's Honours List 2012 for Services to Engineering. Speaker: Neil Bruce, President and Chief Executive Officer, SNC Lavalin *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.*

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: Honourable Charles Sousa, Ontario’s Minister of Finance With Investing in Jobs‎ Charles Sousa is Ontario's Minister of Finance and the Member of Provincial Parliament, MPP, for the riding of Mississauga South. Charles also serves as Vice Chair of Treasury Board and Management Board of Cabinet. Charles was first elected in October 2007. He has held positions as Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Minister Responsible for the 2015 Pan and ParaPan American Games, Minister of Labour and Chair of Treasury Board and Management Board of Cabinet. He has also served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Economic Development Trade and the Minister of Government Consumer Services. As Minister of Finance, Charles has delivered multiple Budgets and Fall Economic Statements. He negotiated the formation of the Canadian Cooperative Securities Regulator and continues to lead a national discussion on retirement income security. As Minister of Labour, Charles led the largest overhaul of Ontario's occupational health and safety system in 30 years. As Minister of Citizenship and Immigration he introduced an immigration strategy to foster more support of settlement and newcomer representation in Ontario. Charles possesses an extensive background in the financial sector. He worked at RBC Financial Group for more than 20 years in commercial banking. Prior to that, he owned and operated a financing company supporting small businesses. He also served as a member of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Toronto Board of Trade, and as a director of the American Chamber of Commerce. Charles' commitment to community service earned him the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2003 and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. He was also inducted as a Commander to the Order of Merit in Portugal. Charles graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1982 with an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration. In 1991, he completed a fellowship at the Institute of Canadian Bankers. He earned an Executive MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario in 1994. Charles is married with three children. Speaker: The Honourable Charles Sousa, Ontario’s Minister of Finance *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.*

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: Annual Investment Outlook Luncheon: Making Money in 2016 from Domestic and International Financial Markets Featuring Ian Russell, Nick Barisheff and Greg Greer‎ lan Russell, President and CEO of the Investment Industry Association of Canada and Nick Barisheff, President and CEO of Bullion Management Group Inc. and Greg Greer, Managing Director and Head, Global Debt Capital Markets, Scotiabank lan Russell is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Investment Industry Association of Canada IIAC. Prior to his appointment at the IAC, Mr. Russell was Senior Vice President, Industry Relations and Representation, at the Investment Dealers Association of Canada, IDA. In his 20 year tenure with the IDA and the IIAC, he has participated actively in many committees and working groups involved in regulatory and tax issues related to the securities industry and capital markets. He is a frequent commentator in the media, a regular columnist in industry publications and a sought after speaker on industry issues and developments. In January 2014, Mr. Russell was appointed Chair of the International Council of Securities Associations, ICSA. Mr. Russell has an Honours degree in Economics and Business from the University of Western Ontario, and a postgraduate degree, MSc Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He has completed the Partners, Directors and Senior Officers Qualifying Examination and is a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute. Nick Barisheff is the founder, president and CEO of Bullion Management Group Inc., a company dedicated to providing investors with a secure, cost effective, transparent way to purchase and hold physical bullion. BMG is an Associate Member of the London Bullion Market Association, LBMA, as well as the Responsible Investment Association, RIA. Widely recognized as an international bullion expert, Nick has written numerous articles on bullion and current market trends, which have been published on various news and business websites. Nick has appeared on BNN, CBC, CNBC and Sun Media, and has been interviewed for countless articles by leading business publications across North America, Europe and Asia. His first book $10,000 Gold: Why Gold's Inevitable Rise is the Investors Safe Haven, was published in the Spring of 2013. Every investor who seeks the safety of sound money will benefit from Nick's insights into the portfolio preserving power of gold. www.bmgbullion.com Greg Greer is managing Director and Head, Global Debt Capital Markets. He is currently responsible for Scotiabank's Global Debt Capital Markets business, as well as our EMEA and Asia Pacific Risk Solutions businesses... Speaker: Ian Russell, President and CEO of the Investment Industry Association of Canada Nick Barisheff, President and CEO of Bullion Management Group Inc. Greg Greer‎, Managing Director and Head, Global Debt Capital Markets, Scotiabank *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.*

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: Mr. Stephen Poloz, Governor of the Bank of Canada With The Evolution of Unconventional Monetary Policy‎ Mr. Poloz has been Governor of the Bank of Canada since June 3, 2013. Born in Oshawa, Ontario, Mr. Poloz has over 30 years of public and private sector experience. An economist by training, he first joined the Bank of Canada in 1981 and occupied a range of increasingly senior positions over a 14 year span. Mr. Poloz then spent four years at BCA Research as managing editor of its flagship publication, The International Bank Credit Analyst. Mr. Poloz joined Export Development Canada in 1999 as Vice President and Chief Economist. From 2008 to 2010, he was responsible for all of EDC's lending programs, as well as the Economics and Corporate and International Trade Intelligence groups. He became EDC's President and CEO in January 2011, a position he held until his appointment at the Bank of Canada. Mr. Poloz resides in Ottawa with his wife of 36 years, Valerie. He has two children, Jessica and Nicholas, and he is a grandfather. Speaker: Mr. Stephen Poloz, Governor of the Bank of Canada *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.*

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: Heather Conway, Executive VP, English Services, CBC In Conversation Greg O’Brien, Editor and Publisher, Cartt.ca With You, Me and the CBC As the saying goes, everyone in Canada has two jobs…their own and running the CBC. Heather Conway, executive vice president of CBC, responsible for English Services, will discuss the role of the national public broadcaster in the 1000 channel universe, as a unique Canadian voice, a critical pillar in sustaining the creative sector as a competitive advantage for Canada. Heather Conway joined CBC as Executive Vice President of English Services in December 2013. Ms. Conway is responsible for all of CBC Radio Canada’s English language services including CBC Radio One, CBC Radio 2, CBC Television, CBC News Network, CBC.ca, documentary and digital operations. Prior to joining CBC, Ms. Conway was Chief Business Officer at the Art Gallery of Ontario, where she was in charge of human resources, digital services, marketing, security and membership, among other things. Under her tenure, the Gallery saw its attendance increase by 20 percent and achieved its highest membership levels. Previously, Ms. Conway spent six years as Executive Vice President at Alliance Atlantis Communications. There, she oversaw strategic marketing, publicity and on air creative for 13 Canadian cable specialty channels, transformed the business model for channel distribution and increased subscription revenue. She later became Chief Executive Officer of Edelman Public Relations Canada. Earlier in her career, Ms. Conway held other senior management and consulting positions with TD Bank Financial Group, Hill and Knowlton and The Neville Group. Ms. Conway has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Queen’s University and a Master of Arts in Industrial Relations from the University of Warwick, England. In 2001, Ms. Conway received a Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 Award.  In 2014, Heather was on Toronto’s Top 50 Most Influential People. Greg O’Brien has been a journalist for over 25 years, the last 17 of which have been spent exclusively covering the Canadian cable, radio, television and telecom sectors. He launched his own business, Cartt.ca, in May, 2005, and since then, it has become that industry’s news leader, the place where thousands of professionals working in these once separate, but now undeniably intertwined, industries turn to for breaking news, in depth feature stories, analysis and opinion about their industry. Speaker:  Heather Conway, Executive VP, English Services, CBC Greg O’Brien, Editor and Publisher, Cartt.ca *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.*

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: Carol Browner, Former Director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy and Former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator With Tackling Climate Change with a Modern, Clean Electricity System‎ Former Director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy under President Obama and the longest serving United States Environmental Protection Agency Administrator will discuss the important role a modern, clean electricity system is to tackling climate change and keeping the air we breathe clean. Speaker: Carol Browner, Former Director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy and Former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator *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.*

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: Minister Glen Murray, Ontario's Minister for Environment and Climate Change With Ontario’s Low Carbon Future‎ Ontario will be releasing a Climate Change Strategy before its leaders travel to the United Nations’ Climate Change Conference,COP21, in Paris. This long term strategy will guide the government’s approach to climate change and outline a path for the province as it transitions to a low carbon economy. Join the Hon. Glen Murray, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, as he discusses how Ontario will build on its actions to fight climate change and help ensure that future generations are left with healthy and prosperous province. Glen Murray was first elected to the Ontario legislature in 2010 as the MPP for Toronto Centre. He was re elected in 2011 and 2014.Murray currently serves as Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. He was appointed the Minister of Infrastructure and the Minister of Transportation in February 2013. He has had a lifetime of activism in urban planning, sustainable development and community health. Murray is a founding member of the Canadian AIDS Society. He was Director of Health Education and HIV Prevention Services at the Village Clinic, 9 Circles Community Health Centre in Winnipeg. Murray was also part of the World Health AIDS Service Organization’s working group for the Global Program on AIDS. He served as mayor of Winnipeg from 1998 to 2004. As Chair of the Big City Mayors Caucus, Murray led the successful campaign to transfer the equivalent of five cents per litre of the federal gas tax to municipalities for infrastructure renewal and construction. In 2004, he moved to Toronto and served as Senior Resident at Massey College and a Visiting Fellow at the Faculty of Architecture and Landscape Design at the University of Toronto. Murray was a Managing Partner of AuthentiCITY, a Toronto based urban sustainability consulting and planning firm. He was appointed Chair of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy by former prime minister Paul Martin in 2005. Murray became president and CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute in 2007. He has served on several university, hospital and community boards, including the Expo 2015 Bid Committee and the Toronto District School Board’s Reference Group for Improving Services for Marginalized Students. He has logged more than 5,000 kilometres cycling for Habitat for Humanity to raise money for affordable housing. Murray has won several public service awards, including the Queen’s Jubilee Medal and the Fight for LGBT Justice and Equality award from Egale Canada in 2003. Murray was born in Montreal, where he earned a diploma from John Abbott College. He then attended Concordia University’s School of Community and Public Affairs for four years, majoring in Urban Studies. Speaker: Minister Glen Murray, Ontario's Minister for Environment and Climate Change *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.*