Canadian Roundtable on the Green Economy - Québec City 2015 - Decision-makers from the Business, Non-profit and Environmental Sectors to Come Together to Accelerate the Shift towards a Green Economy in Canada

MONTREAL, March 19, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - On the day before the Quebec climate summit, to be attended by the provincial and territorial premiers, SWITCH, the Alliance for a Green Economy in Quebec, will present the Canadian Roundtable on the Green Economy – Québec City 2015. This forum will bring together over 150 decision-makers from different economic, non-profit and environmental sectors to discuss actions we can take to accelerate the shift towards a green economy in Canada. Specifically, discussions will deal with the most effective ways to adopt carbon pricing and to promote sustainable and innovative urban development. This working meeting, to be co-chaired by Sophie Brochu, President and CEO of Gaz Métro, and Ed Whittingham, Executive Director of Pembina Institute, will include nearly 30 speakers and panelists from various sectors. It will be held at the Québec City Convention Centre on Monday, April 13.

"We are gathering decision-makers of all backgrounds from across the country who share the belief that the green economy must become the engine of Canada's economic development. To reach this goal, we must implement innovative solutions to accelerate the transition to a prosperous, environmentally responsible economy. The energy sector is at the heart of this transition, and we are proud to contribute to this conference," said Sophie Brochu, President and CEO of Gaz Métro and Co-chair of the Canadian Roundtable on the Green Economy – Québec City 2015.

"We are facing unprecedented environmental challenges. Scientists confirm that we are coming dangerously close to the limits of what the planet can sustain. And a healthy economy depends on a healthy environment. The economy of the future will favour energy-efficient companies that make use of resources wisely. We are pleased to see that the trend towards a green economy in Canada is gaining momentum. We must act now if we are to be leaders in tomorrow's economy," stated Ed Whittingham, Executive Director of Pembina Institute.

Nearly 30 speakers and panelists
The panelists and speakers who will participate in this working meeting include: Stewart Elgie, Founder and President, Sustainable Prosperity; Merran Smith, Director, Clean Energy Canada; Chris Ragan, Chair, Canada's Ecofiscal Commission; Scott Vaughan, President, International Institute for Sustainable Development; Guy Drouin, President, Biothermica; Peter Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, David Suzuki Foundation; Steven Guilbeault, Cofounder and Senior Director, Équiterre; Simon Olivier, Vice President of Growth, Market Strategy and Business Development, General Electric Canada; Jean Simard, President and CEO, Aluminium Association of Canada; Denis Leclerc, President and CEO, Écotech Québec,  President, International Cleantech Network; David Miller, President and CEO, WWF Canada; Marc-Antoine Ducas, President and CEO, Netlift, Katie Sullivan, Director of North American Policy & International Climate Finance, IETA. Mr. David Heurtel, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change, Quebec, will also take part in the event.

The full schedule is available at http://allianceswitch.ca/en/roundtable-2015/.

The Canadian Roundtable on the Green Economy – Québec City 2015 is an initiative by SWITCH, the Alliance for a Green Economy in Quebec.  The Roundtable receives financial support from Clean Energy Canada, the lead partner of the event, as well as from the Quebec government's Green Fund, the Aluminium Association of Canada and the David Suzuki Foundation.

About SWITCH
SWITCH, the Alliance for a Green Economy in Quebec, seeks to accelerate the shift towards a green economy in order to build an innovative, resilient and economically competitive society that balances social equality, the environment and quality of life. The Alliance works towards clear social, political and economic vision and leadership, greater consistency in government policies and actions, and the convergence of initiatives for a green economy in the public, private, cooperative/mutual, non-profit and civil society sectors.

The Alliance brings together organizations from different economic, financial, non-profit and environmental sectors: Cycle Capital Management, the David Suzuki Foundation, Écotech Québec, Équiterre and the Aluminium Association of Canada. It also collaborates with a number of partners that make up its advisory committee: Desjardins Group, Enerkem, Innergex, WWF, the CSN, Gaz Métro and the RNCREQ. For more information: www.allianceswitch.ca.

SOURCE SWITCH, l'Alliance pour une économie verte au Québec

Shelley Kath, [email protected], 514-799-2478