About the Workshop
The Ivey Energy Policy and Management Centre hosts a workshop every fall to bring together prominent scholars and practitioners from industry and government to share ideas and research on contemporary issues related to energy market policy, regulation and governance. The goals of the workshop are to:
- Build a community of academics and practitioners who are active in energy research.
- Expand the network of researchers in Canada with an interest in energy research; and
- Encourage academic research that contributes to effective energy market policies, regulation and governance.
Date: November 5, 2025
Time: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Location: Ivey Donald K. Johnson Centre, 130 King St W, Toronto
Workshop Theme: Canada First? Charting a path forward for improved regional integration and coordinated energy planning
Historically, Canadian energy trade has been North-South with regions trading with partners in U.S. markets. An alternative vision is gaining momentum. A Canada First strategy would enhance energy security, promote economic growth and reduce emissions through intra-regional integration. A Canada First strategy would involve investment in a network of interconnected transmission and pipeline upgrades. It would strengthen connections between provinces through advancing low-carbon energy and resource development through new partnerships between the federal and provincial governments, and with Indigenous communities.
This workshop will explore the opportunities and challenges for Canada in pursuing investment in a Canada First energy strategy.
The Ivey Energy Policy and Management Centre gratefully acknowledges continued financial support from the Ivey Energy Consortium and Ted Kernaghan, HBA '65; as well as the following organizations for their financial support of this particular event: The Alberta Electric System Operator, The Canadian Association for Energy Economics, The Independent Electricity Systems Operator, Alberta’s Market Surveillance Administrator, and London Economics.
Current Agenda:
| Time | Function | Speaker |
|---|---|---|
| 7:45 a.m. | Registration Opens | |
| 8:00 a.m. | Continental Breakfast | |
| 8:45 a.m. | Introductory Remarks | Brian Rivard, Ivey Business School at Western University |
| 9:00 a.m. | Session 1: Integrated Planning |
Moderator: Brian Rivard, Ivey Business School at Western University Speakers: Pierre-Olivier Pineau, Professor, HEC Montréal Malini Giridhar, Business Advisory & Board Governance Julia Frayer, Managing Director, LEI |
| 10:30 a.m. | Morning Refreshments | |
| 11:00 a.m. | Session 2: How is Canadian energy regulation evolving to support Canadian prosperity? |
Moderator: Adam Fremeth, Ivey Business School Speakers: Andrew Leach, Professor University of Alberta Lucia Westin-Eastaugh, Partner, McInness Cooper (Tentative) Darren Christie, Canada Energy Regulator |
| 12:30 p.m. | Lunch | |
| 1:00 p.m. | Keynote Address | Speaker:
Michael Pollitt, Cambridge Judge Business School |
| 2:00 p.m. | Session 3: Energy Efficiency and Distributed Energy Resources |
Moderator: Derek Olmstead, CEO, Market Surveillance Authority Speakers: Clair Harris, President, Clean Energy Connection Blake Shaffer, Professor, University of Calgary Tam Wagner, Director, IESO |
| 3:30 p.m. | Afternoon Refreshments | |
| 3:45 p.m. | Session 4: Energy Infrastructure Investment and Canadian Investment |
Moderator: Krista Hill, Partner, TorysSpeakers: Kent Fellows, Professor, University of Calgary Ehren Cory, CEO, Canadian Investment Bank Jillian Falls, Senior Economic Advisor, Cenovus |
| 5:15 p.m. | Closing Remarks | Brandon Schaufele, Ivey Business School at Western University |
| 6:00 p.m. | Cocktail reception and dinner at The Ceci Bar | Keynote speaker Aaron Engen, President and CEO, Alberta Electricity System Operator |