Oct. 27, 2014 – The Honourable Chris Alexander, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), will provide the opening keynote address at the 2014 Durham Economic Prosperity Conference in Ajax on Friday, November 14th.
Minister Alexander will highlight FedDev Ontario’s continuing contributions and initiatives available to Durham Region and southern Ontario, stressing the growing importance of industry clusters, and celebrating the collaboration of business, government and research institutions.
“Real economic prosperity comes from innovation and collaboration. For Durham Region to compete and prosper in a global marketplace, we must continue to bring business, government and research to the same table in order to leverage our strengths, bring new perspectives and resources and always be expanding our potential for opportunities,” commented Minister Alexander when agreeing to speak at the conference.
The conference is designed to highlight three key economic areas for Durham Region: nuclear energy, automotive and the movement of goods. Jim Little, Chair of the Carolinas’ Nuclear Cluster, Carlos Gomes, Senior Economist & Automotive Industry Specialist, Scotia Capital and Jean Aubrey-Morin, Vice President, External Relations, St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation will give an overview on nuclear clustering, automotive and transportation and how Durham Region can take advantage and capitalize on current and future business opportunities.
Carolinas’ Nuclear Cluster
The Carolinas are a hub of nuclear expertise, supplying more than 11% of the U.S. nuclear power production, and they have created a consortium of industry, higher education and non-profit organizations working in unison to support its energy and economic development – The Carolinas’ Nuclear Cluster (CNC). Jim Little, Chair of Carolinas’ Nuclear Cluster will give us an oversight on the CNC and how it collaboratively strengthens workforce, services, products and policies to capture and extend our global leadership in nuclear energy capabilities. The CNC is an industry-driven collaboration devoted to the prosperity of nuclear organizations in the Carolinas. Mr. Little will provide insight as to where Durham Region can capitalize on this opportunity and attract more attention, open more doors.
Automotive
Carlos Gomes is a Senior Economist & Automotive Industry Specialist with Scotia Capital and he will give us an update on the automotive sector in Canada and the United States and provide insight as to where Durham Region can fit into the automotive economy going forward and how Durham Region can capitalize on opportunities.
Great Lakes-Seaway
Jean Aubry-Morin, ?Executive Vice President, External Relations of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation is an ambassador for the system that supports the activity of more than 100 U.S. and Canadian ports, including the Port of Oshawa. At a time when major highway and rail infrastructure is reaching capacity and in need of major investment, the entire Great Lakes-Seaway industry is pulling together to promote the marine mode as the logical alternative through incentive and marketing programs. Mr. Aubry-Morin will give us insight on how Durham Region can take advantage of this opportunity.
Durham Region has not only experienced unparalleled economic growth, but is also facing many business challenges going forward. In an effort to maximize the region’s economic opportunities community leaders from business, academia, labour and government are being invited to attend the 5th Economic Conference on the future of Durham Region. The half day “think tank” Conference will feature keynote speakers, forums and interactive panel discussions.
The impressive line-up of speakers includes Chris Alexander, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and MP Ajax-Pickering; Jim Little, Chair of the Carolinas’ Nuclear Cluster (CNC); Jean Aubry-Morin, Vice President, External Relations, St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation; Dr. Ron Oberth, President, Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries (OCI); Carlos Gomes, Senior Economist & Automotive Industry Specialist, Scotia Capital; Michael Angemeer, President and CEO, Veridian; Allan O’Dette, President, Ontario Chamber of Commerce; George Hanus, President & CEO, Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance (GTMA) and Kathy Weiss, Region of Durham Economic Development & Tourism.
The 5th Durham Economic Prosperity Conference is to be held on Friday, November 14, 2014 at the Ajax Convention Centre. The Conference is a partnership between the Region of Durham, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce.
