ICTC Horizon: 2022 Digital Future Summit

Virtual, Free to Attend, February 1st and 2nd, 2022

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ICTC-CTIC

16 min readJan 26, 2022

To register for the conference and individual sessions, visit the following link. All sessions can be watched from the main conference website: https://horizon.ictc-ctic.ca

**Jump to Day 2 (Program for February 2, 2022)**

Day One: February 1st, 2022

Feb 1, 10:00 am EST

Welcome and Introduction: Namir Anani, ICTC President and CEO

Keynote: Dr. Roberta Bondar, First Canadian Woman in Space

Feb 1, 11:00 am EST

ICTC Horizon features six tracks of themed content. On day one, three tracks are kicked off by guest speakers who will outline the urgency of their track and let you know what to expect throughout it.

Foundations for a Digital Economy | Magdy Karam: Chief Learning Officer (CLO), Microsoft Canada. Microsoft Canada’s Chief Learning Officer, Magdy Karam, makes a strong case for transforming traditional hiring practices in this short, but compelling, presentation that opens the Foundations trackway.

Future of Work | Tom P. Keenan: Award-winning Educational Innovator, Journalist, Public Speaker

Smart Communities and Intelligent Infrastructure | Alexander J. Diaz: Head of Crisis Response & Humanitarian Aid, Google.org

Feb 1, 11:15 am EST

Foundations for the Digital Economy | Securing the Digital Economy

Is your personal data at risk? Join cybersecurity experts in this panel where you will learn the importance of digital security, and gain some new knowledge on how to stay secure in these troubling times.

Biyi Adeniran: Security and Digital Transformation Leader, ISSEC Inc.
Hanna Bozakov: Press Officer, Tutanota
Wendy Young: Vice President of Data Systems and Security, NGen
Fauve Altman: Chief Experience Officer, Emma 42
Moderator: Samantha Ellis, ICTC

Future of Work | The Future of Work-Life Balance

Remote work and technological development were supposed to make things easier for workers, not harder. Yet we’re witnessing what’s being called the “Great Resignation” — people leaving their jobs in significant numbers, in part due to a basic dissatisfaction with work. This is occurring in reaction to what has been described as “workism” — cultural values toward employment that encourage the merging of work and life in unhealthy ways. There are many responses: Universal Basic Income, “Right to Disconnect” legislation, four-day work weeks, and more. This panel investigates how, going forward, we can ensure that people find balance and satisfaction in their work.

Moderator: Javier Lozano: Digital Strategist and Technology Advisor, Lozano Management Inc.
Dr. Evelyn Forget: Professor, Community Health Sciences / Academic Director, Manitoba Research Data Centre University of Manitoba
Ken Sanderson: Executive Director, Teach for Canada
Anne-Marie Fannon: Director of the Work-Learn Institute
Dr. Norah McRae: Associate Provost for Co-operative and Experiential Education and an adjunct professor at the University of Waterloo, Canada

Smart Communities and Intelligent Infrastructure | Community Connectivity and Digital Infrastructure

Investing in digital infrastructure is a major priority for rural, remote and Indigenous communities. Efforts by major telecommunication companies are currently underway to reduce the digital divide in a sustainable manner. This virtual panel will explore some of the opportunities and challenges of building digital capacity in rural, remote and Indigenous communities. Additionally, panelists will discuss deploying clean technologies, 5G networks, and their strategies to build community trust and meet needs. This panel is made up of national and international experts in telecommunications, clean energy, with experience building digital capacity in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.

Moderator: Martin Canning: Executive Director, Government Innovation, Evergreen Canada
Heather Stephens: Chief Operating Officer, Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA)
Jesse Fiddler: Interim Director, K-Net
Jigyasa Sharma: Smart Communities Program Manager, US Ignite
Nathan Wilson: Director of Innovation & Collaboration, SaskTel
Victoria Smith: Senior Director, Service Expansion West

Breakout Room #1: Feb 1, 12:00pm EST

The Research Behind the WIL Digital program, featuring Magnet. A special ICTC Horizon Breakout session, showcasing the research, programming, and customized curriculum included in the WIL Digital portfolio at ICTC. This panel features Alexandra Cutean, Chief Research Officer with the Digital Think Tank by ICTC and Austin Hracs, Director of Research with Magnet. Join URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZiw04Iczoo

Breakout Room #2: Feb 1, 12:00pmEST

Trends in the Future of Work and Access to Canada’s Labour Market Information. Technological advancements, population aging, and climate change have been identified as megatrends in addressing the changing composition and needs of Canadian labour markets. Continuous learning plays a crucial role in supporting workers who look to upskill and match these needs. The COVID-19 crisis has also accelerated the phenomenon of automation, the growing importance of upskilling and need for a green economic recovery. Research on the rapidly shifting economy in Canada will require increased engagement from data collection agencies, corporations, and policymakers to fully grasp the impact of automation, climate change, and an aging population. To address this systemic challenge, LMIC and the Future Skills Centre (FSC) are launching a cloud-based data repository (Data Hub) that consolidates and curates high-quality LMI data available in Canada. This will allow Canadians better and easier access to meaningful labour market information (LMI).

Join URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87675019411?pwd=OHJGRFNMRWE3Zmt2UmpZd09mc0ZOdz09

Feb 1, 12:15 pm EST

Foundations for the Digital Economy | Data that Drives the Digital Economy

How is business impacted by data, and what trends should we be on the lookout for? Join leading data experts in a conversation that will answer those questions, as well as provide you with some new knowledge about an exciting career in data!

Moderator: Donna Kanomata, ICTC
Fauve Altman — Chief Experience Officer, Emma42
Dr. Raji Baskaran — CTO, Scorched Ice
Mong Dang — Director of Analytics Engineering, Aritzia
Andrew Drinkwater — President and Co-Founder, Plaid Analytics

Future of Work | The Challenge for Educators

*This event is a talk followed by a live Q&A with Dr. Bates, beginning at 12:35 pm EST. The live Q&A will be in a separate link posted in the event chat.

What challenges do the new labour market, and new economy, present for secondary education? Changing workforces mean that education must evolve to adequately prepare future workers — especially by giving them the “21st century” and “transversal” skills needed for the future of work. Tony Bates discusses the details of skills, competencies, training, certification, and how educators can put learners first.

Dr. Tony Bates: Senior Advisor Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson University, Toronto, Research Associate, Contact North | Contact Nord Ontario

Smart Communities and Intelligent Infrastructure | Mitigating Climate Disasters with Open North

Flooding, wildfires, and other extreme weather events put lives at risk and interfere with essential community functions in Canada and around the world. In partnership with Open North, this virtual panel will explore disaster mitigation strategies that respond to the accelerating impacts of climate change. First, expert panelists will discuss how technology and data analysis can help communities prepare for climate disasters with solutions including, AI-supported detection and data analysis for wildfire professionals, adaptive disaster-mitigation policies, and accessible strategies for every-day action. An interactive Miro-board session will follow the presentations allowing participants to leverage panelist expertise to brainstorm solutions for local climate-mitigation issues.

Moderator: Ayesha Zamudio: Senior Analyst, Open North
Moderator: Lucas Mesquita: Senior Analyst, Open North
Nivi Achanta: Founder and CEO of Soapbox Project
Sonia Kastner: CEO and Founder, Pano AI
Sophie Nitoslawski: Urban forestry researcher, Cities scientist, University of British Columbia
Trevor Donald: Climate Change Adaptation Coordinator, The Town of Churchill, Manitoba

Breakout Room #2: Feb 1st, 1:00 pm

WIL E-Learning Course Presentation: Cyber Forensics for Digital Identities. Join Vivian Lee from the WIL Digital Team for a review of the eLearning course offerings, the benefits to employers and students as well as an exciting 45 minute interactive Cybersecurity Case Study; Cyber forensics for Digital Identities lead by the Director of Intelligence and Investigations from the Anti-Human Trafficking Intelligence Initiative, Matt Richardson. Join URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYAMa1lQvmU

Feb 1, 1:15 pm EST

Foundations for the Digital Economy | Skills, Technology, Policy, and Culture

John Weigelt: National Technology Officer, Microsoft Canada

Microsoft’s National Technology Officer and experienced TEDx Talker, John Weigelt, will deliver an enthralling discussion you won’t want to miss about skills, technology, policy and culture.

Future of Work | Navigating the Tax Landscape of Remote Work

In this session, Guy Jason, national service line leader of Deloitte’s Global Employer Services in Canada, will share insights into some of the key tax considerations — both from a Canadian domestic and cross-border perspective — for any organization pursuing a remote work strategy for its employees. This session will identify the essential tax issues and address practical solutions to help manage risk and exposure, enabling organizations to pursue remote work in a tax compliant way.

Guy Jason: Deloitte Canada, National Global Employer Services Leader

Smart Communities and Intelligent Infrastructure | Fishing for Sustainability

As the world’s population increases and the impacts of climate change continue to strain our seas and lakes, the need to create a sustainable, community-driven seafood ecosystem becomes more pressing. This virtual panel will provide an overview of Canada’s place in an increasingly tech-driven global seafood system, featuring diverse experts from across Canada and the world. Presentations will also delve into examples of community-lead innovation that leverage low-tech and high-tech solutions to sustainability problems, including fish-to-consumer blockchain tracking, automated disease diagnosis, and community-rights based access programs. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentations allowing participants to interact with the panelists.

Ali Alfosool: Co-Founder & CTO, Aquafort
Melissa Nevin: Director of Fisheries and Integrated Resources, APC
Timothy J. Kennedy: President & CEO at Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance
Aslak Holmberg: Vice President, Saami Council
Eric Enno Tamm: CEO/Co-Founder, ThisFish Inc.
Sonia Strobel: Co-founder and CEO of Skipper Otto

Breakout Room #3: Feb 1st, 2:00pm EST

The Hard Issue of Soft Skills. Soft Skills sometimes get dismissed as nice to haves by some businesses yet the digital economy is prioritizing inter-personal and no-technical skills over many technical skills. This is a virtual and interactive workshop to explore soft skills and if, perhaps, there is a better label for them that better reflect their value to the Canadian workforce.

Link: Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83569616513

Feb 1, 2:15 pm EST

Foundations for the Digital Economy Panel | Les nouvelles frontières du paiement

Panélistes

Cyrielle Chiron, Chef de la Stratégie chez Paiements Canada
Peggy Van de Plassche, Fondatrice de Roar Growth
Philippe Daoust, Directeur général de NA Capital de risque
Jean Kany, Vice-Président de la Division Retail de Citcon

Feb 1, 3:00 pm EST

Keynote: Honourable Perrin Beatty, PC, OC, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Feb 1, 3:45 pm EST

Day 1 Recap

Feb 1, 6:00–7:00 pm EST: Evening Panel

Future of Work | Talent as Canada’s Comparative Advantage

*This evening event will be live at the following link: https://kiwiproductions.shoutcms.net/content.php?nid=4682

Canada’s economic recovery hinges on its ability to leverage the full potential of its talent to innovate and scale businesses in an increasingly competitive, sustainable, and global digital-led economy. This panel will explore various perspectives and solutions as they relate to the changing nature of work, diversity and inclusion, skills and workforce development, and address the needs of workers that were disproportionately impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic, among others.

Moderator: Namir Anani, ICTC
Sandra McKenzie, Co-Founder, The Forge Institute
Dr. Wendy Cukier, Founder of Ryerson University’s Diversity Institute
Jeanette Sutherland, Director, EDGE UP
Rhonda Fernandes, Director General, Employment and Social Development Canada

Day Two: February 2nd, 2022

Feb 2, 10:00 am EST

Welcome Back: Alfred Burgesson: Founder & CEO of Tribe Network

Keynote: Ron Keller, former ambassador of the Netherlands to China, Turkey, Ukraine, and Russia

Feb 2, 11:00 am EST

ICTC Horizon features six tracks of themed content. On day two, three tracks are kicked off by guest speakers who will outline the urgency of their track and let you know what to expect throughout it.

The Human Side of Technology | Jaimie Boyd, Chief Digital Officer of the Government of British Columbia, Canada

Trade and Investment |Florian von Tucher, Chairman, Tucher Group

Green Economy | Jill Warren, CEO of the European Cyclists’ Federation

Feb 2, 11:15 am EST

The Human Side of Technology | A City is Not a Computer

Fireside Chat with Author and Anthropologist Shannon Mattern

A timely and insightful discussion with Shannon Mattern about her 2021 book A City Is Not a Computer. From the publisher: “Computational models of urbanism―smart cities that use data-driven planning and algorithmic administration―promise to deliver new urban efficiencies and conveniences. Yet these models limit our understanding of what we can know about a city. A City Is Not a Computer reveals how cities encompass myriad forms of local and indigenous intelligences and knowledge institutions, arguing that these resources are a vital supplement and corrective to increasingly prevalent algorithmic models.”

Trade and Investment | Bolstering Economic Growth in a Global Market

As an open and trade-based economy, Canada is highly dependent on international trade and foreign direct investment (FDI). Due to COVID-induced disruptions in global supply chains, year-over-year, Canada’s international trade and inward FDI dropped 13 per cent and 49 per cent, respectively. What are the opportunities and challenges for Canada to bolster international trade and foreign investment amid the COVID-19 Pandemic and beyond?

In the panel “Bolstering Economic Growth in a Global Market”, we invite Canadian and international business leaders and policy experts to provide insights on a national strategy that prepares Canada to compete in the global arena and position itself as an attractive investment destination and trading partner.

Moderator: Janet L. Ecker: C.M., ICD.D (President, Kilwaughter Consulting)
Sébastien Gendron: Co-Founder & CEO TransPod Inc.
Michael Tremblay: President & CEO, ICD.D Director @ Invest Ottawa & Bayview Yards
Daniel Schwanen: Vice-President, Research at C.D. Howe Institute

Green Economy | Just Green Transition

The green transition will undoubtedly be a core focus of the coming decades. Climate change and environmental degradation, such as biodiversity loss and ocean acidification are threatening our earth’s health and stability, spurring an urgent need to adapt our economies and communities. At the economy level, carbon reduction is central to this effort, as is pollution reduction and resource efficiency. Within our communities, challenges like urban sprawl, vehicle dependency, and under-utilized renewable energy sources provide many opportunities for systemic change. This panel will discuss what is needed for a successful green economic transition, and what additional measures are needed to make this transition just and ensures no group is left behind.

Moderator: Geoff Cape: Founder & CEO of Evergreen
Philip Gass: Lead, Transitions in the IISD Energy program
Dr. Timothée Parrique: Lead author of “Decoupling debunked — Evidence and arguments against green growth”
Dr. Romina Boarini: Director of the OECD WISE Centre
Neha Sharma: Senior Evaluation and Learning Specialist, Climate Investment Funds

Feb 2, 12:15 pm EST

The Human Side of Technology | Data and Privacy

Data is the foundation of the digital economy and advancements in digital social services. At the same time, data use and AI raise governance and privacy issues for individual and group/community data rights. Our diverse panel will bring best practices from all over the world and important sectors, especially in this, the age of COVID-19.

Dr. Kelly Bronson: Canada Research Chair in Science & Society at University of Ottawa
Dr. Khaled El Emam: SVP and General Manager of Replica Analytics, Aetion
Heather Leson: Digital Innovation Lead, Solferino Academy, IFRC
Aimee Whitcroft: Open-x advocate and Advisory Board — international Open Data Charter
Moderator: Rob Davidson: Director, Data Science, ICTC

Trade and Investment | Trade in a Digital Era

According to the OECD, “digitalization increases the scale, scope and speed of trade. It allows firms to bring new products and services to a larger number of digitally-connected customers across the globe.” While digital trade brings immense opportunities for businesses of all sizes, there is also a growing discussion about digital trade barriers — such as data localization requirements, bans on cross-border data flows, and onerous and unnecessary security standards — that pose significant burdens to both service suppliers and users.

In the panel “Trade in a Digital Era”, policymakers and business leaders will offer both insights on digital trade barriers facing businesses and best practices on boosting digital trade.

Moderator: Trevor Kennedy: Vice President, Trade and International Policy
Saeed El-Darahali: President, CEO of SimplyCast
Silvia Sorescu: Policy Analyst / Project Lead Trade facilitation
Darren Smith: Director of the Services Trade Policy Division at Global Affairs Canada

Green Economy | Circular Economy

Around the world, governments and industry are searching for ways to make their economies more resource efficient and decouple economic growth from resource consumption. Circular economies replace the traditional take-make-waste or extract-manufacturer-dispose pattern of production with one that re-uses waste as an economic input and keeps resources in use for as long as possible. Recycling plastic waste into new plastic products is one well-known example of circular economy. Another is using the carbon from non-recyclable waste to make biofuels. These and other types of solutions can enable continued economic growth and profitability without putting additional pressure on the environment. Panelists discuss their perspectives on circular economy while identifying what policy and technical solutions can best support this effort.

Moderator: Paul Shorthouse: Managing Director, Circular Economy Leadership Canada / Senior Director, Green & Circular Economy at The Delphi Group
Ander Eizaguirre: Policy Analyst OECD Water Governance and Circular Economy Unit
Noah Baars: Circular Built Environment Strategist, Circle Economy
Antonina Konarzewska: Circular Economy Enthusiast and Consultant

Feb 2, 1:15 pm EST

The Human Side of Technology | x-Feminism: A New Foundation for the Digital Economy

Existing technology frameworks and ecosystems have been created on traditional male-dominated foundations and have resulted in biased and techno-centric solutionism. In data, AI, software and other technical domains, feminism is being proffered as a more intersectional, participative, and balanced approach to technology’s role in the economy and broader social contexts. This session brings together leaders and trailblazers from the x-feminism (x = AI, data, or other tech domains) landscape to discuss and share successes, opportunities, and challenges to real structural change in the digital economy.

Natalia (Nati) Carfi: Executive Director, Open Data Charter
Caitlin Kraft Buchman: CEO/Founder, Women at the Table
Priya Kumar: Data Translator, Data Strategy, Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada
Mor Rubinstein: Intersectional feminist, data analyst and a community coordinator
Moderator: Jillian LeBlanc: Senior Communications Adivisor-Consultations, IRCC

Feb 2, Trade and Investment | IP Challenges in a Digital Economy

Intellectual property (IP) is one of the most valuable assets to a firm. According to ISED’s 2017 Survey on Financing and Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises, “businesses that have higher awareness of IP along with those that hold formal IP are much more likely to experience higher growth, expand their markets, and receive various types of financing.”

In the panel “IP Challenges in a Digital Economy,” IP specialists and business leaders will discuss the challenges of regulating and protecting IP in a digital world and the implications of these challenges for Canada’s ICT sector and wider digital economy. This panel discussion aims to provide attendees with insights on strategies for IP awareness and IP management in the digital age.

Moderator: Richard Corley: Partner at Goodmans LLP
Melissa Chee: President and CEO, ventureLAB
Natalie Giroux: President, Stratford Intellectual Property
Mike McLean: CEO of Innovation Asset Collective (IAC)

Green Economy | Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security

Today, food and agriculture are estimated to account for 21–37% of global greenhouse gas emissions, 70% of freshwater use, and more than 50% of the world’s habitable land. By midcentury, the global population is expected to reach 9.7 billion, generating an even great impact amid greater demand for agri-food products. Meanwhile, our ability to produce food is being disrupted by climate change and environmental degradation: rising temperatures and sea levels, new precipitation patterns, intense droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, storms, floods, and other natural disasters present a significant threat to global food security around the world. In this panel, moderator and guests will discuss why sustainable food and agriculture is foundational to resilient economic growth, and how we will navigate reducing our environmental impact, while also producing more.

Moderator: Dr. Sylvain Charlebois: Professor, Food Distribution and Policy Faculty of Management, Professor, Faculty of Agriculture Dalhousie University, Canada, Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab
Dr. Michael Gilbert: CEO & Founder, Semios
Dr. Claudia Ringler: Deputy Division Director, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
Remi K Schmaltz: Co-founder, Director and VP Corporate Development at Index Biosystems

Breakout room #5: Feb 2, 1:30pm EST

L’AIT numérique présente Programme de subvention à l’emploi

Joignez-vous à Elizabeth Robinson et Mélissa Gutiérrez pour une discussion sur la subvention salariale de l’AIT numérique pour les employeuses et employeurs. Apprenez comment votre organisation peut être admissible à une subvention salariale pouvant atteindre 75 % lorsqu’elle offre un stage à une étudiante ou un étudiant de niveau postsecondaire.

Join link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7WC5rCPxPU

Feb 2, 2pm: Présentation du cours d’apprentissage en ligne de l’AIT — Design de service : repenser l’industrie des soins de santé

Rejoignez Ines Ouali de l’équipe de l’AIT numérique pour un examen des offres de cours d’apprentissage en ligne, des avantages pour les employeuses et employeurs, pour les étudiantes et étudiants, ainsi que pour une passionnante étude de cas interactive de 45 minutes sur le design de service : repenser l’industrie des soins de santé.

Join link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZZ4-yFxamE

Feb 2, 2:15 pm EST

The Human Side of Technology | AI Fairness

AI fairness is a pressing issue. AI solutions like AI-assisted decision-making can replicate and amplify existing unfairness. Other AI solutions, like tools to support endangered languages, can help rectify historical injustices: but these solutions don’t always have commercial incentives or adequate resources.

Motivating the private sector to act on AI fairness, and mobilizing resources for communities to create AI solutions that serve their needs, are two key challenges for the future of the technology. While legislation is critical, the speakers in this panel address the shorter-term question of how to govern AI while waiting for appropriate regulations: from the perspective of the public, communities, universities, and the private sector.

Hear from speakers in standards organizations, AI monitoring within the private sector, academia, and community on the question: how is AI best governed?

Ana Brandusescu: PhD candidate, McGill University
Niraj Bhargava: Founder, NuEnergy.ai
Keith Jansa: Executive Director of CIOSC (CIO Strategy Council)
Dr. Te Taka Keegan: Associate Professor, The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato, Aotearoa New Zealand
Peter-Lucas Jones: CEO, Te Hiku Media, Aotearoa New Zealand
Moderator: Faun Rice, Senior Research and Policy Analyst, ICTC

Green Economy | Climate Migration

Our planet is dangerously close to transgressing three of the nine planetary boundaries identified by Johan Rockström and his team of world-renowned scientists. Each boundary crossed represents a significant threat to the stability of human life on earth. Already, changes in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events are making large regions of the world uninhabitable, while making others more in-demand. The result of these trends is climate migration: large-scale human migration spurred by environmental change. For some, climate migration means moving from a recently established flood zone to higher elevation nearby. For others, it means leaving everything behind and starting over in an entirely new region or country. In both cases, the health, social, and financial impacts are significant. Panelists discuss the impact of climate migration globally, while highlighting urgently needed policy measures and humanitarian assistance.

Moderator: Giovanni Pagani: Senior Manager for Climate and Migration at C40 Cities
Kiera Schuller: Economist at the Department of Finance (Canada)
Dina Ionesco: Manager, United Nations Climate Secretariat (UNFCCC)
Oli Brown: Associate Fellow with the Geneva Centre for Security Policy

Feb 2, 3:00 pm EST

Keynote

Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

Feb 2, 3:45 pm EST

Closing Remarks