Resilience at Toronto Global Forum 2023

Anxious for directions in transformation era of electric power world and galloping inflation and flashpoints

By Iryna Bilots -Reporter – The Canadian National News/ The European Club of Canada

After one year on October 11-13, business and thought leaders gathered at the 17th Toronto Global Forum, held in the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, to discuss how to foster economic resilience. This annual event brought together hundreds of participants, including international guests and speakers, who shared their thoughts on world’s most pressing problems, such as, for example, energy security, investing into sustainability, empowering the workforce, innovation, and economic agility.

Among distinguished event speakers, were François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, Canada, Nicolai Tangen, Chief Executive Officer of Norges Bank Investment Management, Alex Pourbaix, Executive Chair, Cenovus, Lori Kerr, Chief Executive Officer of FinDev, to name a few.

Canadian leaders confirmed their commitment to achieve 100% net zero grid targets by 2035, help decarbonize other parts of the world based on Canadian experience as well as to foster economic opportunities for indigenous populations and use Canadian bilingual competitiveness angle when doing business with French-speaking countries.

Canada can truly be proud of its achievements and continues to strive for more. In one of the sessions I’ve learned that Canada was the first G7 country to sign bilateral agreements with all other G7 countries. According to Minister Ng what makes Canada attractive is its human talent, agile ecosystem, abundance of critical minerals, and its geostrategic position. 

Second day of the Forum has featured a side event for Angel Investors Ontario bringing together a more focused group of investors and start-ups. Apart from getting insights into what world leaders think could enhance environmental and economic resilience to foster development, Forum offered an excellent opportunity for networking and laying grounds for future collaboration.