Join industry and government at this not-to-be-missed conference and tradeshow taking place in Canada’s national capital. Conference topics will include how Canada’s railways are driving the economy, creating prosperity, fueling growth, and so much more!
The tradeshow will showcase some of the industry’s exciting innovative products and services. Exhibitor and sponsorship information is below.
When:
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Location:
Rogers Centre Ottawa (formerly Shaw Centre), 55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON
Our Gold Sponsors
Our Silver Sponsors
DRAFT AGENDA
Tuesday, November 26 2024Canada Hall 3, Rogers Centre Ottawa (formerly Shaw Centre), 55 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON
| Times | Session |
|---|---|
08:00– 09:30 | Registration and breakfast in exhibit space |
09:30 – 09:40 | Welcome Marc Brazeau, President and CEO, Railway Association of Canada |
| 09:40 – 09:45 | Opening Remarks Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Transport and President of the Treasury Board of Canada |
09:45 – 10:30 | Powering the economy: Fueling Canada’s growth and prosperity Driving investment, unlocking efficiency, and improving competitiveness. Moderator: Alexandre Lefort, Partner, Oliver Wyman Janet Drysdale, Senior Vice-President and Chief Stakeholder Relations Officer, CN Nathan Cato, Assistant Vice President, Government Affairs – Canada, CPKC |
10:30 – 11:00 | Break in exhibit space |
11:00 – 12:00 | Outsized Impacts: How shortlines are driving regional economic growth This session will feature three shortlines speaking about the Shortline Railway Track Maintenance Tax Credit, safety and decarbonization. Moderator: James Miller, Partner, Oliver Wyman Rick McLellan, President, Genesee & Wyoming Canada Chad Evans, President, Ontario Northland Transportation Commission Brian Cornick, President & CEO, Cando Rail & Terminals |
12:00 – 13:30 | Lunch in exhibit space with keynote speaker – David L. Cohen, U.S. Ambassador to Canada |
13:30 – 14:30 | Moving Canadians Strategically and Sustainably Hear from a few of Canada’s passenger and commuter railways as to what they are doing to make travel by rail even more sustainable for communities. Moderator: Marco D’Angelo, President and CEO, CUTA Mario Péloquin, President and CEO, VIA Rail Canada Martin Imbleau, President & CEO, VIA HFR Sylvain Yelle, General Manager, Exo |
14:30 – 15:00 | Political Overview Bruce Anderson, Chief Strategy Officer and Partner, spark*advocacy |
15:00 – 15:30 | Break in exhibit space |
15:30 – 16:15 | Climate Resiliency on our Rails Learn how Canada’s railways deal with the impacts of climate change while keeping the operation safely running. Moderator: Steve McCauley, Senior Director, Pollution Probe David Huck, Managing Director of Sustainability, CPKC Francois Bélanger, Head of Sustainability, CN Laura McNichol, Senior Vice President, Chief Sustainability Officer, WATCO/Agawa Canyon Railway |
16:15 | Closing remarks Marc Brazeau, President and CEO, Railway Association of Canada |
16:15 – 17:30 | Cocktail Reception |
Speakers
Meet our incredible lineup of speakers and panelists.
Janet Drysdale
Janet was appointed Senior Vice-President and Chief Stakeholder Relations Officer in March 2023. She drives the Company’s stakeholder engagement and communications strategies, which includes public and government affairs, media relations, corporate communications, as well as investor relations.
Nathan Cato
Nathan Cato is Assistant Vice President, Government Affairs – Canada at Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC).
Nathan has held this role since April 14, 2023, when Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern merged to create the first and only Class 1 railway network uniting North America by seamlessly connecting Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Brian Cornick
With eight years of experience as a CEO, Brian joined Cando in 2015 to lead the strategic direction and growth of the company. Under his leadership, Cando has strengthened both its Safety and Human Resources functions, leading to national awards for recognition of its leading safety culture.
Chad Evans
CEO of Ontario Northland, has over 25 years of experience leading change and continuous improvement across both the private and public sectors. As a transportation professional, business leader, technology and management consultant, trainer, and speaker, he was a key architect of Ontario Northland’s transformation program and is leading agency modernization.
Rick McLellan
Mr.Rick McLellan has 41 years of experience in rail operations, beginning his career in 1983 as a brakeman, conductor, and locomotive engineer with Canadian Pacific (CP).
Martin Imbleau
Martin Imbleau brings a wealth of experience in developing and implementing major infrastructure projects. Prior to joining VIA HFR – VIA TGF Inc., Martin was President and CEO of the Montreal Port Authority.
Mario Péloquin
Mario Péloquin was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of VIA Rail in June 2023 and brings over 35 years of experience in the railway industry to his new role. His career trajectory started as an operator and then a rail traffic controller before he rose to hold senior roles focused on rail safety at Transport Canada and the Transportation Safety Board.
Sylvain Yelle
With over 25 years of experience in organizational and operational management, including seven with exo, Mr. Yelle is recognized for his leadership in the public transit sector. His strategic vision and ability to achieve major operational excellence projects, which strive to improve service performance and quality, have enabled exo to position itself as a key player in sustainable mobility to the benefit of the population.
Bruce Anderson
Bruce Anderson has been one of Canada’s leading market and opinion researchers for more than 30 years, and a leading commentator, and counsellor, on current events and political affairs in Canada.
His experience began in 1980, when he was appointed Special Assistant to the Federal Minister Responsible for Government Communications.
François Bélanger
François is the Head of Sustainability at CN. The Sustainability Team leads CN’s sustainability reporting and climate change-related initiatives, including the development and implementation of CN’s carbon transition strategy and roadmap. The Team also interacts on sustainability matters with investors, customers, suppliers, and CN employees.
David Huck
David Huck, MNRM, currently serves as the Managing Director of Sustainability for Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway Company (CPKC). Based in Calgary, Alberta, David oversees a team of sustainability professionals who deliver the railway’s sustainability programs, strategy development, and disclosure practices.
Laura McNichol
Laura McNichol is Watco’s Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer. Laura leads efforts securing funding her company’s railroads and terminals, government relations, sustainability, Indigenous relations as well as stakeholder engagement.
Registration
Cancellation policy:
All registration, sponsor and exhibit fees are non-refundable. Should you need to cancel your registration, sponsorship or exhibit booth, a credit in the amount of said fee (less a $50 administrative fee) will be issued to you for a future annual RailCAN event. If the RAC cancels or postpones RailCAN24, you will receive a full credit for your registration for a future RailCAN event.
There is no credit given for cancellations that occur within 14 days of the event.
Exhibitor
Please click here to view the exhibitor package and to reserve your booth – submit completed form to bbowman@railcan.ca. To view floor plan, click here.
Sponsorships
Please click here to view our sponsorship opportunities and form to reserve your sponsorship.