THE REAL COST OF INACTION

9 : 30 a.m. - 10 : 00 a.m.

As systemic risks become increasingly visible and measurable, the cost of delayed decisions is no longer theoretical but embedded in economic performance, financial stability, and development outcomes. In a conversation between a global policy leader and a development finance practitioner, this session examines how inaction reshapes risk, capital allocation, and long-term resilience, and why the window for effective response is narrowing. How does delayed action translate into economic, financial, and development costs across markets and regions? What signals indicate that inaction is already being priced into financial systems and investment decisions? What would it take for capital allocation to fully reflect the real and immediate costs of inaction?

MODERATOR :

Lori Kerr, Chief Executive Officer, FinDev Canada

KEYNOTE SPEAKER :

John Kerry, 68th U.S. Secretary of State & Co-Chair, Galvanize

MAKING CANADIAN SOVEREIGNTY INVESTABLE

10 : 00 a.m. - 10 : 45 a.m.

As Canada seeks to strengthen its economic sovereignty in a context of geopolitical fragmentation and transition pressures, a central challenge emerges: how to translate strategic priorities into credible, investable opportunities. Bringing together leaders from standard-setting and public investment, this session explores how robust frameworks, risk-sharing mechanisms, and targeted capital deployment can align markets with national resilience and industrial competitiveness. What makes sovereignty-driven priorities credible and investable from a capital markets perspective? How can standards, disclosure, and public investment tools work together to crowd in private capital at scale? What role should institutions play in accelerating deployment while balancing risk, competitiveness, and long-term resilience?

MODERATOR :

Peter Villani, Partner, Fasken

SPEAKERS :

Yannick Beaudoin, President and CEO, Canada Growth Fund

Wendy Berman, Chair, Canadian Sustainability Standards Board (CSSB)

Luc Fortin, President & CEO, TMX Global Markets and Post Trade, TMX Group

Marlene Puffer, Chair, Canadian Taxonomy and Transition Planning Council, Business Future Pathways

10 : 45 a.m. - 11 : 15 a.m.

DECIDING UNDER CONSTRAINTS : WHAT ACTUALLY WORKS

11 : 15 a.m. - 12 : 00 p.m.

As financial frameworks are redefined, the challenge is shifting from design to execution, where decisions must be made under real-world constraints and competing priorities. This high-level segment brings together senior leaders to examine how capital is allocated, risks are shared, and resilience is financed in practice, and to clarify who acts, how, and at what pace. How are leaders prioritizing investments and allocating capital in a context of competing economic, social, and geopolitical constraints? What risk-sharing models and financing approaches are proving effective in delivering resilience at scale? Who is responsible for driving implementation, and what determines the speed and credibility of execution?

SPEAKERS :

Emmanuel Faber, Chair, International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)

The Hon. Catherine McKenna, Founder and CEO; Chair of the United Nations high-level expert group on net zero emissions commitments of non-state entities, Climate & Nature Solutions; UN

Eric Usher, Head, UNEP FI