THURSDAY 1:15 PM
CLOSING KEYNOTE PANEL
VISION FOR THE FUTURE: BUILDING A STRONG, COMPETITIVE CANADIAN ECONOMY
Rod Phillips
Vice Chair
Canaccord Genuity
Chair
Toronto Global & Petal Health
About the Speaker
Rod Phillips is a business and public policy leader and lifelong community volunteer. He is the Vice Chair of Canaccord Genuity Corporation, the Chair of Toronto Global and Petal Health and a member of the board directors of the Aecon Group Inc. (ARE:TO).
In 2018, Rod was elected to represent the riding of Ajax. While in government, he served as the Minister of Finance, the Minister Long Term Care and the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks. Prior to his public service, Rod was the President and CEO of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and the health and productivity company Morneau-Shepell (Lifeworks). He served as the Chair of the Board of Postmedia Network Inc., Canadian Chair and Global Advisory Board member of AI unicorn Afiniti and on the corporate boards of Data Communications Management, Top Aces, and the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation. Rod began his career as a management consultant with KPMG and also worked with Goodmans LLP and as Chief of Staff to the first Mayor of the amalgamated city of Toronto.
Rod was selected as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 and as one of the “Best of the Best “on the 10th Anniversary of that award. With his investment partner the Clairvest Group, he was awarded the Canadian Venture Capital Association Deal of the Year in the Private Equity category. He has chaired and served on numerous community boards and in 2010 he was appointed Honorary Lieutenant Colonel, 32nd Combat Engineers Regiment headquartered at Downsview Base, Toronto.
About the Session
Canada is entering a pivotal period—one defined by global uncertainty, shifting capital flows, productivity pressures, and the urgent need for strategic reinvestment. Senior finance and C‑suite leaders are being called to shape not only their organizations’ trajectories, but the strength and resilience of Canada’s broader economic foundation.
This closing keynote brings together seasoned leaders and an emerging next‑generation voice to examine what it will take to secure Canada’s long‑term competitiveness. The discussion focuses squarely on the priorities of established enterprises, institutional investors, and executives responsible for driving national economic performance.
Key Themes
- How Canada can sustain and accelerate economic growth in an unpredictable global environment
- Building the conditions for long‑term economic resilience
- Aligning corporate strategy with national productivity and growth priorities
- Lessons from decades of leadership—what has propelled success and what systemic barriers must be addressed
- The attributes that inspire confidence in Canada’s economic future
Why it Matters
This session challenges conventional thinking and equips senior finance leaders with practical insights for navigating the trade, tariff, productivity, and investment pressures. Attendees will gain actionable perspectives on strengthening Canada’s competitiveness through strategic reinvestment, innovation, and leadership alignment.
Michael Rousseau
President & CEO
Air Canada
About the Speaker
Michael Rousseau was appointed Air Canada’s President and Chief Executive Officer in February 2021. He previously was the airline’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, a role held since January 2019. As Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Rousseau had oversight for several significant corporate initiatives and businesses including Air Canada Rouge, in addition to his responsibilities for the airline’s overall financial strategic direction comprising all aspects of financial reporting and planning, investor relations, treasury and controller’s operations, taxation, pension administration, internal audit, procurement and corporate real estate. From 2007 to 2018, Mr. Rousseau was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and he has played a significant and highly strategic role in Air Canada’s successful transformation over the past decade.
Prior to Air Canada, Mr. Rousseau held executive positions including those of President, and before that Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Canada’s largest diversified general merchandise retailer, Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC). He has also held senior executive financial positions at other large, international corporations, including Moore Corporation in Chicago, Silcorp Limited and the UCS Group (a division of Imasco Limited).
A graduate of York University, Mr. Rousseau has been a member of the Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants since 1983. He holds the prestigious FCA and FCPA designations, conferred by CPA Ontario in recognition of his professional achievements and contributions. He was named Canada’s CFO of the Year™ for 2017 by Financial Executives International Canada (FEI Canada), PwC Canada and Robert Half. Mr. Rousseau was a member of the Board of Directors at Resolute Forest Products from 2010 to 2023 and he has held several Board memberships of other public companies over the past 18 years.
About the Session
Canada is entering a pivotal period—one defined by global uncertainty, shifting capital flows, productivity pressures, and the urgent need for strategic reinvestment. Senior finance and C‑suite leaders are being called to shape not only their organizations’ trajectories, but the strength and resilience of Canada’s broader economic foundation.
This closing keynote brings together seasoned leaders and an emerging next‑generation voice to examine what it will take to secure Canada’s long‑term competitiveness. The discussion focuses squarely on the priorities of established enterprises, institutional investors, and executives responsible for driving national economic performance.
Key Themes
- How Canada can sustain and accelerate economic growth in an unpredictable global environment
- Building the conditions for long‑term economic resilience
- Aligning corporate strategy with national productivity and growth priorities
- Lessons from decades of leadership—what has propelled success and what systemic barriers must be addressed
- The attributes that inspire confidence in Canada’s economic future
Why it Matters
This session challenges conventional thinking and equips senior finance leaders with practical insights for navigating the trade, tariff, productivity, and investment pressures. Attendees will gain actionable perspectives on strengthening Canada’s competitiveness through strategic reinvestment, innovation, and leadership alignment.
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