On Tuesday, September 16, together with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), University of Toronto’s Climate Positive Energy (CPE) proudly hosted the sold-out, third annual Smart Growth Symposium. The event brought together nearly 300 guests to explore how sustainable finance, emerging technologies, smart mobility, workforce development, and smart agrifood are shaping a more sustainable and resilient future.
The 2025 Smart Growth Symposium featured a day of discussions in formats including panels, fireside chats, presentations, and roundtable discussions connecting U of T experts with industry professionals, encouraging meaningful conversation and bold ideas on how technology can drive the transition to smarter, cleaner, and greener future.
Welcoming guests for a day of conversations, OCC President and CEO Daniel Tisch spoke on the importance of the power of collaboration in supporting innovation and inclusive growth, through events such as the co-hosted Smart Growth Symposium.
During opening remarks, U of T Engineering Dean Christopher Yip spoke to the importance of industry-academia collaboration in innovating for a more sustainable future.
“One of the best things about being the Dean of a Faculty like ours is that every day, I get a preview of what the future could look like,” said Dean Yip. “We need to work in concert with businesses, with industries, and with government to roll out technologies efficiently, and to make sure that Ontario retains its rightful place at the forefront of global innovation.”
Also providing remarks were Brian and Joannah Lawson, who have made climate change central to their philanthropy, and whose transformative $60-million donation established the Lawson Climate Institute.
In one of two panel sessions, Erika Potrz (Hoverlink Ontario), Leslie Woo (CivicAction), Heather Grey-Wolf (Infrastructure Ontario), and Karen Mazurkewich (Toronto Pearson International Airport) explored how strategic infrastructure and innovative housing initiatives can tackle challenges in affordability, mobility, and economic growth.
Dr. Claudia Krywiak, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ontario Centre of Innovation delivered a keynote on how Ontario is turning cutting-edge innovation into real-world impact by accelerating commercialization.
David Sinton, Academic Director of CPE and Interim Director of the new Lawson Climate Institute, moderated a fireside chat with Mohammad Qureshi, Corporate Chief Information Officer and Associate Deputy Minister from Ontario’s Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement and Government Information Technology. The two discussed AI as an enabler in process efficiency which is a much needed approach to execute on large projects
Climate Positive Energy’s Executive Director Shatha Qaqish-Clavering moderated a discussion on Ontario’s agrifood sector, featuring expertise from Greg Ogiba (Windmill Farms), Ian Potter (Vineland Research and Innovation Centre), John Kelly (Government of Ontario), and Cathy Lennon (Ontario Federation of Agriculture). The panel discussed new innovation in agriculture while highlighting adaptation as key under climate change pressure.
Fate Saghir of Mackenzie Investments closed the day with a keynote exploring how sustainable finance is opening new pathways to invest in Ontario’s future.
We extend our gratitude to all speakers, partners, and attendees for making this year’s Symposium such a success. We look forward to continuing the conversation.
Thank you to our co-host, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce; Contributing Partners, Business Future Pathways, Uber, and Waste Connections Canada; and Innovation Partner, Ontario Chamber of Commerce. We also extend our gratitude to the U of T professors and leaders who shared their academic expertise at the table talks.
We look forward to hosting future events and opportunities bridging U of T researchers with industry experts across all sectors.
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All photos by Liz Beddall.