Speakers
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| May 12 Tuesday Global Economy |
May 13 Wednesday Research & Innovation |
May 14 Thursday The Environment |
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Stephen Mandel |
Dennis Fentie |
Peter Taptuna |
Stephen Mandel |
Topic: City of Edmonton Greetings Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel was elected to the position in October, 2004. He is a strong advocate for community revitalizations, arts and culture, green initiatives, as well as families, seniors, and those in need. Mayor Mandel was an accomplished businessman with 30 years experience in business and real estate development, hotel operation and sports enterprises. He volunteers for the Mazankowski Heart Institute, Heart and Stroke Foundation, and the Jewish Community Centre, among others. He is married, with two grown children. |
Hon. Ed Stelmach |
Topic: Alberta Advantage & Northern Development Edward Michael Stelmach was born in 1951 and raised on the Lamont area homestead established by his grandparents in 1898. He is the first Alberta Premier of Ukrainian ancestry. Premier Stelmach has served as a school trustee and chair of the Vegreville Health Unit board. In 1993, he was elected MLA in Vegreville-Viking and held four provincial cabinet posts. He was elected leader of the Alberta PC Party in 2006 and sworn in as Alberta’s 13th Premier. In his first general election as Premier in 2008, his party captured 72 of 83 seats. |
Topic: Global Economic Challenges & Opportunities At the age of 39, the Rt. Hon. Joe Clark became the youngest Prime Minister of Canada in 1979. A fiscal conservative, Clark and his minority government were defeated on a non-confidence motion after nine months in office. Under Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, Clark developed an international reputation as an effective statesman in his role as Minister of External Relations and Minister for Constitutional Affairs. He left politics in 1993 to work as an international business consultant, returning as party leader from 1998 - 2003. | |
Topic: Strategies for Tourism Development in the North Mr. Thompson holds a B.SC and an MBA (honours) in Finance. He founded Strokes Design which, as Parallel Strategies, became western Canada’s largest independent advertising agency; co-founded Tiger Media, a leading multimedia firm; and is now CEO of Northern Vision Development LP, one of the largest real estate firms in the Yukon. He is owner, director, president or chairman of a number of venture and merchant banking companies in Calgary; a past director of the Institute of Canadian Advertising, the Glenbow Museum, the Alberta Ballet, and the Calgary Urban Project Society; and currently serves as Vice-Chair (International) of the Young President’s Organization. |
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Topic: Developing a World Class Mine in the North Mr. Gilbert is Vice-President, Human Resources of Agnico-Eagle, a position he has held since September, 2006. He previously worked in the mining industry for the Placer Dome Group in various capacities for 17 years, in senior roles in Chile, South Africa, the Dominican Republic and Canada (Quebec and BC). Mr. Gilbert studied Industrial Relations at Laval University in Quebec and Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa. Agnico-Eagle is a $10 billion international growth company focused on gold, with operations in Canada and Finland. |
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Topic: Northwest Territories Economic Development Born in 1961, Mr. Roland attended high school in Inuvik and studied Auto Mechanics in both Calgary and Edmonton. He was elected to the NWT Legislature in 1995 and re-elected in Inuvik - Boot Lake in 1999 and 2003, serving as Deputy Premier and holding six cabinet posts. In 2007 he was elected Premier. Mr. Roland was a town councilor, Chairman of the Inuvik Hunters and Trappers Committee, and President of the Western Arctic Tourism Association. He has been actively involved with hockey in Inuvik, both as a minor league coach and player. |
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Topic: Capital for Aborginal Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, An Introduction to the CAPE Fund After graduating from McGill in 1976, Peter began a career in financial services with TD and Mercantile Banks before moving into private equity and venture capital markets where he has been for 22 years. Peter's experience spans seed stage ventures to buyout and expansion financings at both national and regional levels. He has guided venture capital operations at the Business Development Bank of Canada (formerly FBDB), ACF Equity Atlantic Inc., and GrowthWorks Atlantic Ltd. He is a former president and director of the Canadian Venture Capital Association. | |
Darrell Beaulieu |
Topic: Northern Economic Priorities, Opportunities and Challenges Panel Pres. and CEO of Denendeh Investments Inc. since 2005, Mr. Beaulieu's former positions include: CEO of Deton’Cho Corporation; Pres. of Denendeh Development Corp.; Director of Northland Utilities (NWT) Ltd.; Pres. of Deton’Cho Diamonds Inc.; Councillor and Chief of Yellowknives Dene First Nation; member of NWT-Nunavut Chamber of Mines; Director of Business Credit Corp. and NWT Development Corp. He currently Chairs the NWT Business Development and Investment Corp. and owns Taidene Corp. - a medical services provider to the mining industry. Mr. Beaulieu resides in Ndilo with his wife, three sons and granddaughter. |
Ron Gilbertson |
Topic: Northern Economic Priorities, Opportunities and Challenges Panel, Moderator Prior to joining Edmonton Economic Development Corp. as CEO in 2007, Ron Gilbertson was President of Lacent Technologies and the founding President and CEO of the Edmonton Regional Airports Authority. He was also a senior executive with Alberta Research Council and responsible for two divisions of Stanley Associates Engineering, now Stantec. Mr. Gilbertson currently serves on the boards of TEC Edmonton and the Sawridge Group of Companies, and on the strategy council of the Mazankowski Heart Institute. He holds a Masters degree in Economics and has been active with various community organizations including the United Way. |
Dr. Roger Gibbins |
Topic: Northern Economic Priorities, Opportunities and Challenges Panel Roger Gibbins is President and CEO of the Canada West Foundation policy research group. He is a former political science professor at the University of Calgary, where he served as department head from 1987 to 1996. Dr. Gibbins has authored or contributed to 21 books and more than 100 related works dealing primarily with western Canadian issues. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a former President of the Canadian Political Science Association, and a recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Exceptional Achievement and Outstanding Contribution to Public Administration. |
Topic: Northern Economic Priorities, Opportunities and Challenges Panel Charlie Lyall is the President and CEO of Kitikmeot Corporation, the economic development arm of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association. Kitikmeot Corp. is responsible for developing business opportunities that build an economic base in the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut. The corporation is 100 percent Inuit-owned by the Kitikmeot Inuit Association and works on behalf of Inuit people. Its purpose is to develop profitable and sustainable businesses that create business and employment opportunities contributing to the personal, economic, social and cultural wealth of the region. | |
Topic: Northern Economic Priorities, Opportunities and Challenges Panel With a degree in Political Science from York University, Angus Watt is the multiple award winning Managing Director of Individual Investor Services at National Bank Financial. He is Chair, past Chair, Director, or advisor to: the Edmonton Police Foundation, TELUS Edmonton Community Board, the David Foster & Friends Edmonton Committee 2008, Canadian Cancer Society, Hearing Foundation of Canada, Little Warriors, United Way of Northern Alberta, Minerva Foundation, Support Network, and the Support Network Foundation. Mr. Watt's financial broadcasts are heard 62 times each week on Global TV and 630 CHED Radio. | |
Topic: Yukon Outlook Born in 1950 in Edmonton, Dennis Fentie moved with his family to the Yukon in 1962 working in the tourism, mining, trucking, and construction industries before being elected as an NDP member of the Yukon legislature in 1996. Switching to the Yukon Party in 2002, Fentie became its leader and led the party to a majority government, promising economic reform, the same year. Yukon voters gave Fentie a second majority government in 2006. He is a fomer director of the Association for Yukon Forests as well as the Watson Lake Chamber of Commerce. | |
H. E. Ingrid Iremark |
Topic: International R&D - Ambassadors Round Table H. E. Mrs. Ingrid Iremark is the Swedish Ambassador to Canada, headquartered in Ottawa. She earned a degree in journalism at the Stockholm School of Journalism in 1970 and a Bachelor's degree in Sociology at Stockholm University. The Ambassador has worked for a variety of employers ranging from daily newspapers and the Swedish Ministry of Foreign affairs, to the Swedish Riksbank, Prime Minister's Office, and the national Information and Culture Department. Ambassador Iremark speaks four languages: Swedish, English, German and French. |
Dr. Jerry Leonard |
Topic: Waste Management in the North Dr. Leonard is the Executive Manager of the Edmonton Waste Management Centre of Excellence (EWMCE). He is on secondment from the University of Alberta, where he is a Professor of Bioresource Engineering. An agricultural engineer by training, his teaching and research interests evolved from instrumentation and control systems for machinery and intensive animal production systems to waste management and composting. Jerry became involved with the City of Edmonton’s Waste Management Branch in 1996 helping establish the EWMCE as a non-profit corporation in 2003. He has been seconded to the Centre since 2002. |
Hon. Eva Aariak |
Topic: Nunavut Opportunities First-time member Eva Aariak defeated incumbent Paul Okalik to become Nunavut's second premier and the northern territory's first female premier on Nov. 14, 2008. Aariak is the MLA for Iqaluit East. Her background includes five years as the Nunavut Languages Commissioner. She also worked as a CBC reporter, a teacher, and owned an arts and crafts store in Iqaluit. She coordinated an Inuktitut book publishing program, was president of the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce, and served as chair of the Nunavut Film Development Corp. Premier Aariak was the only woman elected to the Nunavut Legislature in 2008. |
Marion LaVigne |
Topic: Canadian Innovation Based in Yellowknife, Marion LaVigne is President of Outcrop Ltd., Outcrop Communications Ltd., and Up Here Publishing Ltd. Marion is experienced in the development of business, tourism, and government communications programs, socio-economic assessments, and major events. She is a consultant, lecturer, workshop leader, and member or director of various prestigious organizations including the Arctic Institute of North America. She is a multiple award winning entrepreneur and past director of the NWT Travel Industry Assoc., Northern Frontier Visitors Assoc., and Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce. |
Jeff Philipp |
Topic: Canadian Innovation As president and founder of SSi Micro Ltd., Jeff Philipp leads the company's business development team. SSi is a recognized leader in IT connectivity and the largest ISP in northern Canada serving more than 60 remote and rural communities. Jeff oversees the company's strategic planning, operations, and infrastructure development and, as such, is responsible for driving the company's technological solutions forward. Jeff and his team develop innovative IT processes and infrastructure in some of the most challenging locations on the planet. |
Dr. Paul Byrne |
Topic: Northern Education & Research Panel (Moderator) Paul Byrne is the President & CEO of Grant MacEwan College. He has held leadership positions at three colleges in Canada, earned a Ph.D from the University of Alberta, a Masters of Education from New York's State University, and a BA with Distinction from Brock University. He completed post doctoral work at Harvard Grad School and Oxford. Dr. Byrne is a member of numerous boards, has received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, the Alberta Centennial Gold Medal, and the Paul A. Eisner International Excellence in Leadership Award. |
Maurice Evans |
Topic: Northern Education & Research Panel Maurice Evans is a longtime Northerner with family roots in the Fort Smith area. His has served as the Executive Director of the Mackenzie Courtworkers Association; Senior Policy Advisor, Municipal and Community Affairs; Regional Superintendent; and as a Senior Advisor for Parks Canada. Mr. Evans earned a degree in Political Science from the University of Victoria and a Master’s Degree in Higher Education from UBC. For the past 11 years, he has served as President of Aurora College, helping transform it into the modern post-secondary institution it is today. |
Dr. Andrew Greenshaw |
Topic: Northern Education & Research Panel Dr. Greenshaw has played a significant role in facilitating research in Psychiatry and is a former Associate Dean of Graduate Studies & Research at the U-of-Alberta. He has been a Full Professor of Psychiatry since 1996 and Associate VP (Research) since 2004. Dr. Greenshaw is the recipient of multiple research awards and the author of numerous peer-reviewed research papers and books. He is the co-Chair of the Alberta Mental Health Research Partnerships Committee and works with the Canadian Circumpolar Institute to facilitate Northern Research Strategies. He is also Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors of the University of the Arctic. |
Dr. Karen Barnes |
Topic: Northern Education & Research Panel Dr. Barnes has been the Vice President Education and Training at Yukon College since February 2008. She came to the Yukon from Lethbridge College where she was Dean for six years. Prior to that she was at NorQuest College in Edmonton for 17 years. Dr. Barnes holds Doctorate and Masters degrees in Education from the University of Alberta and is a strong advocate for the integration of applied research within the community college setting. At Yukon College, Dr. Barnes is working closely with faculty to build support for innovation and research in the classroom. |
Andy Neigel |
Topic: Northern Education & Research Panel Andy earned a BSc Degree in Forestry at the University of Alberta and a Forestry Diploma at NAIT. He is a Registered Professional Forester, a certified Forest Auditor, and a graduate of the Queen’s School of Business Executive and Leadership Programs. Andy has provided leadership in the forest industry for more than 25 years. A former instructor and current member of the Northern Alberta Development Council, Andy has served on the Board of Directors of the Forest Products Assoc. of Canada, Pulp and Paper Institute of Canada, the Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada, and Portage College. |
Dr. Frits Pannekoek |
Topic: Northern Education & Research Panel Dr. Frits Pannekoek is the sixth president of Athabasca University bringing experience with distance education and innovative learning environments. Dr. Pannekoek completed his Ph.D. (1974) with a dissertation on western Canadian history and Indigenous peoples at Queen's University. He is a former Director of Information Resources at the University of Calgary, chair of the Alberta Library consortium, and a Canadian historian active in Aboriginal interests. He is recognized nationally for leadership in digital education resources and academic publishing online, and is a regular policy advisor to both provincial and federal levels of government. |
Hon. Bob McLeod |
Topic: Northern Industry, Tourism & Investment Mr. McLeod has over 28 years of senior management public sector experience serving governments of both the Northwest Territories and Canada. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Alberta and an Honours Diploma in Administrative Management. Mr. McLeod is one of only 2 NWT civilians to have completed and attended National Defense College, a national and international studies program. He attended "Course 42," traveling to 25 countries and completing a thesis on Aboriginal Self Government and Constitutional Reform. |
Hon. Peter Taptuna |
Topic: Nunavut and northern Economic Development
Elected in October, 2008, Peter Taptuna represents Kugluktuk, the most western constituency in Nunavut. He currently serves as Minister of Economic Development & Transportation, Deputy Premier, Minister Responsible for Nunavut Development Corporation, Nunavut Business Credit Corp. and Mines. Peter attended Nunavut Arctic College earning a diploma in Management Studies focused on managerial accounting, contract law, business administration, and human resources. Peter has served as a hamlet councilor, deputy mayor, Kitikmeot Corp. chair, and director of the Nunavut Development Corporation. |
Christian Haas |
Topic: Changing Ice Conditions in the Arctic Christian Haas is a Professor and Geophysicist researching Arctic sea ice and the biosphere at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. His recent studies include the underlying causes of dramatic sea ice retreats, sea ice properties, in-situ measurements, and satellite sensing and modeling. In 2007, Christian co-authored scientific publications dealing with snowmelt on Antarctic sea ice, excesses of bottom-released methane in Arctic waters, and biogeochemical composition of natural sea ice brines. Christian holds an Alberta Ingenuity Scholarship. |
Ron Lewko |
Topic: Boreal Forest Reclamation Ronald Lewko is the team leader of Environmental Research groups at Syncrude Canada Ltd. He is responsible for engineers, scientists, technicians and researchers in reclamation, tailings and water management methodologies. Ron holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering and has 17 years of oilsands experience in Fort McMurray. He joined Syncrude in 1992 and has worked as a geotechnical engineer and mine planner, a long-range bitumen production business advisor, and in reclamation research where he is currently employed. |
Don Pope |
Topic: Integrated Land Management Mr. Pope is the Integrated Land Management Specialist for Alberta Pacific Forest Industries Inc. (Al-Pac). He started his career as a forest officer with the Government of Alberta in 1978 and was appointed as a chief ranger before joining Alberta-Pacific in 1992. He works with the oil and gas industry and government to integrate landscape level planning in northeast Alberta. In 2006 Don received a reclamation citation from the Alberta Chamber of Resources and Alberta Environment for his remedial work in reclamation. In 2008 he was presented with a Premier’s Award of Excellence for his work with the province’s Integrated Landscape Management Project. |
Eric Newell |
Topic: Why we "Meet the North" Eric P. Newell holds a Masters of Science degree in Management Studies and a BSc degree in Chemical Engineering. Over 14 years with Syncrude Canada Ltd., Newell served as the company's President, Chair, and CEO. He is involved with a variety of community organizations including Careers: The Next Generation, the Centre for Family Literacy, and The Learning Partnership. He served on the University of Alberta's Board of Governors before becoming its Chancellor in 2004. He has received four honorary degrees, is an Officer of the Order of Canada, and an inductee into the Alberta Order of Excellence. |
Dr. Jan Veizer |
Topic: Climate Change Dr. Jan Veizer draws on geology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and biology to envision the future of our planet. Dr. Veizer is a “Distinguished University Professor” of Geology and Research Chair in Earth Systems at the University of Ottawa (Emeritus since 2004); recently retired Chair of Sedimentary and Isotope Geology at Ruhr University in Bochum, Germany; and served as the Director of the “Earth System Evolution Program” of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. He holds multiple doctoral degrees and is the recipient of numerous international research awards. |
John Gunter |
Topic: Operational Challenges & Ecotourism in the North Since joining Frontiers North Adventures full-time in 2003, General Manager John Gunter has been responsible for daily operations, sustainable business practices, and developing strategic business relationships. Under his direction, Frontiers North was recognized among the top three "sustainable tourism operators" in the country by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada in 2006. Mr. Gunter earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba in 2001, and is a life-long adventurer enjoying travel and recreational pursuits with his family. |
Don Thompson |
Topic: Oil Sands: Myths and Reality Don Thompson is President of the Oil Sands Developers Group as well as General Manager, Regulatory and External Affairs, at Syncrude Canada Ltd. Mr. Thompson places particular emphasis on responding to the large number of environmental and external relationship challenges facing Syncrude. The Oil Sands Developers Group addresses the need for accurate information concerning Athabasca oil sands activity and works closely with related industries, government, Aboriginal peoples, and other organizations active in the oil sands. |
