We are pleased to announce our speakers for the 2024 Conference. They are listed in the order in which they will appear at the conference.
1:00 p.m. Moderated Discussion: How did we get here?
Speakers:
Vanessa Fiore (uOttawa Environmental Science graduate)
Vanessa Fiore is a 25-year-old environmental scientist with a passion for conservation, clean technology, and climate action. She has been a volunteer at Citizens Climate Lobby Canada for the past 9 years and is the current leader of the Vaughan chapter. She’s a former Commission for Environmental Cooperation Youth Innovation Challenge winner for her involvement in the biogas industry (2017) and one of Starfish Canada’s Top 25 Under 25 Environmentalists (2020). She is an occasional speaker at Fridays for Future Ottawa and has spoken on several panels about electrification and transitioning to clean energy.
Rolly Montpellier (Below2˚C)
Roland (Rolly) Montpellier lives in Ottawa. Prior to his retirement, he was Superintendent of Business and Finance at a French-language school board in his native Sudbury. He spent his entire working career in the public service. His volunteer work included many community organizations. As an elected trustee, he served on several boards of education including the position of chairperson. His experience in the volunteer sector includes serving on hospital boards (also as chairperson) and Cancer Care Ontario. His retirement years are focused on climate change. He considers his climate activism as the most important work he has ever done. He is currently affiliated with Climate Legacy, the Seniors For Climate Project, Seniors for Climate Action Now, and the Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
Moderator: Adrian Harewood, Carleton University Journalism Professor
Adrian Harewood is an Associate Professor in the School of Journalism and Communication at Carleton University. He’s the former host of CBC Ottawa’s drive home radio show All in A Day and was the anchor of CBC Ottawa News at Six from 2009-2022. In 2020 he won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Local Anchor. Adrian has been the guest host of national programs on radio and television including The Current, As It Happens, Sounds Like Canada and The House, Counterspin, Hot Type and Power & Politics. He was also the host of programs on BRAVO and PBS including Literati, The Actors, The Directors, Playwrights & Screenwriters. Adrian is on the board of Journalists for Human Rights and the Writers’ Union of Canada. He has a BA in Political Theory and History from McGill University and a MA in History from Carleton University.
2:00 p.m. Keynote Address: Fossil Fuel Non-proliferation Treaty
Speaker: Tzeporah Berman, Chair, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
Tzeporah Berman has been designing and winning campaigns in Canada and internationally for 30 years. She is currently the International Program Director at Stand.Earth and the Chair of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. She is the former co-director of Greenpeace International’s Climate and Energy Program and Co-founder of ForestEthics. In 2019, Tzeporah received the Climate Breakthrough Project Award. In 2016, Tzeporah was appointed by the Alberta Government to Co-Chair the Oil Sands Advisory Working Group tasked with making recommendations to implement climate change and cumulative impact policies and was listed as one of the 35 Most Influential Women in British Columbia by BC Business Magazine. In 2015, she was awarded the YWCA Women of Distinction Award in British Columbia and, in 2013, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of British Columbia. She is also the author of This Crazy Time: Living Our Environmental Challenge. In 2021 Tzeporah gave a widely-viewed TED Talk presenting the case for a global treaty to phase out fossil fuels.
8.30 a.m. Indigenous welcome: Elder Verna MacGregor
Elder Verna McGregor is from the Algonquin Community of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, which is approximately 120 kilometres north of Ottawa. Ottawa is part of the Algonquin Nation’s traditional lands. Verna works at Minwaashin Lodge, the Aboriginal Women’s Support Centre located in Ottawa. Services and resources provided by Minwaashin Lodge assist in the empowerment of Aboriginal Women leaving violence. Verna has remained firmly grounded in her community and nation by also being part of the group of traditional Grandmothers (Kokomisag) and Elders. This includes promoting the retention of the Algonquin language and culture, which is so important when addressing issues and connection to the land.
9:00 a.m. Panel: Lessons from the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty
Speakers:
Cara Pike, Climate Access
Cara Pike is the founder and executive director of Climate Access. Cara is a pioneer and leading thinker in climate communications. With more than two decades of experience, Cara’s expertise has been sought by nonprofit organizations, academic institutions and government agencies including the City of Boston, the State of Vermont, EPA, FEMA, Urban Sustainability Directors Network, Union of Concerned Scientists and others. She regularly advises government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Her studies and toolkits on environmental engagement translate complex issues into actionable strategies that are helping thousands of climate advocates more effectively frame sustainability issues and promote behavior change. Cara is also Co-Founder and Senior Communication Advisor to Climate Access’s partner organization, Re.Climate.
Tariq Rauf, UN Institute for Training and Research;
Tariq Rauf has a storied career in the Nuclear Disarmament field. He has served as a Member of the Group of Eminent Persons for Substantive Advancement of Nuclear Disarmament established by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Consulting Advisor to the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, Senior Advisor to Chair of Main Committee I (nuclear disarmament) 2015 NPT Review Conference and to Chair of 2014 NPT Preparatory Committee. Additionally, Tariq has been the Head of Verification and Security Policy Coordination, Office reporting to the Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Alternate Head of the IAEA Delegation to NPT Conferences; IAEA Liaison and Point-of-Contact for Nuclear Suppliers Group, Committee UNSCR 1540, Counter Terrorism Implementation Task Force; Coordinator of IAEA Multilateral Approaches to the Nuclear Fuel Cycle (IAEA LEU Reserve Angarsk, UK Nuclear Fuel Assurance, IAEA LEU Bank); and responsible for the IAEA Forum on Experience of Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones Relevant for the Middle East; • Non-Proliferation Expert/Advisor with Canada’s delegations to NPT Conferences. • Expertise: safeguards, verification, global and regional nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, nuclear-weapon-free zones, multilateral approaches to the nuclear fuel cycle: LEU bank/reserve, nuclear-powered submarines and safeguards, new technologies and strategic stability.
Sylvie Lemieux is the former Co-Chair of Canadian Network for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons (CNANW). Sylvie is a retired Lieutenant-Colonel Army Engineer and a retired executive from the Public Service of Canada. She has served across Canada and has participated in a UN humanitarian mission in Pakistan as a teacher for mine awareness to support Afghans’ repatriation. Upon her retirement, she completed a Masters in Globalization and International Development at the University of Ottawa and a Doctorate in Conflict Studies at Saint-Paul University. Her thesis was centered on the process of global treaties through the lens of the Ottawa Treaty.
Sylvie has represented the Green Party of Canada in 2008 and 2011 as the candidate for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell.
She enjoyed participating in World Social Forums (Tunisia 2013, Sarajevo–Peace in 2014 and Montreal in 2016) and other civic public spheres (Canadian People Forum in 2014 and COP21 in 2015).
While she remains a strong environmentalist, her activism efforts are now focused on peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons. She is still an active member of CNANW, a board member of G78, CPRA, and IPB, and a member of Pugwash.
10:45 a.m. Litigation to Fight Climate Change
Speakers:
Reid Gomme, Ecojustice
Reid Gomme (J.D., University of Ottawa, 2022; B.A. in Political Science and French Language, University of Alberta, 2017). Reid is a staff lawyer in the Ecojustice Ottawa office. Reid started working at Ecojustice as a student in 2020 just after the launch of the Mathur case, and has been part of the legal team on Mathur since then at both the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and Ontario Court of Appeal. Beyond his work holding governments to account on climate change, Reid’s work has also involved litigation to protect endangered species and ecosystems from harm, and representing an Indigenous community challenging Quebec’s mining regime for inadequate consultation.
Alex Neufeldt, Youth Litigator
Alex (she/her) is a fashion designer and YouTuber based in Ottawa (unceded Algonquin territory). Her “claim to fame” in the climate movement is that she is one of 7 young people suing the Ontario government, backed by EcoJustice, over their irresponsible GHG reduction target. She also volunteers with Citizen’s Climate Lobby and Climate Messengers.
Moderator: Susan Tanner
Susan Tanner, Vice-President of G78 and Chair of the CCEWG, will moderate the discussion. While previously holding positions in both the Federal and Ontario governments Susan has maintained an active role in community organisations as both a board and staff member. Susan was a founder of Halton Hills Community Legal Services (1978) and founding chairperson of LEAF (Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund) (1985). She represented Friends of the Earth at the 1992 UNCED in Rio and in 1995, Friends of the Earth Canada accepted a UNEP award for work on the Montreal Protocol done under her leadership. While serving as executive Director (2007-10) Canadian Environmental Network, Susan was honoured as a United Nations Association of Canada “Championne” for her work on human rights and environment. Her federal government positions included: Senior Advisor to the Deputy Minister, Justice Canada, on Gender and Diversity; Senior Manager, Federal participation, Expo 86; Forum Lead, Disaster Management, World Urban Forum, Habitat Jam; Counsellor, Association of Executives (APEX). Her provincial positions included: Member of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Board; Vice Chair of the Social Assessment Review Board; Mediator at the Ontario Grievance Settlement Board, Clinic Education Officer for the Ontario Legal Aid Plan. Susan holds a Masters’ of Environmental Studies and a Masters’ of Law, is a member of the Ontario Bar, has consulted in the private sector on sustainability, and taught as a sessional lecturer at Carleton University.
1:00 p.m. Keynote: Advocacy at International Conferences
Keynote Speaker: Catherine Abreu, Executive Director, Destination Zero
Catherine Abreu is an internationally recognized, award-winning climate justice advocate with 15 years of experience in the heart of the global climate movement. She is the newly appointed Director of the International Climate Politics Hub, a global network of high-impact organizations and individuals working to accelerate climate action in the realm of multilateralism. Recognized for her diplomacy, communications, and coalition-building skills, she’s one of the world’s top 100 climate policy influencers according to Apolitical. Catherine is honoured to have been named 2023’s National Hero by Canada’s Walk of Fame. She is one of 14 appointed members of Canada’s Net-Zero Advisory Body, the legally-mandated expert body tasked with providing advice to government on pathways to meet its climate commitments. She serves as an advisor to the Canadian Climate Institute and sits on the Boards and steering committees of several organizations, including Climate Action Network Canada, Canada’s Affordability Action Council and the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. Catherine is the recipient of the 2020 Jack Layton Progress Prize for her transformative work, and was named to Canada’s Clean50 in 2018. Her expertise makes her a vital figure in climate policy and action, shaping global discussions on the transition toward clean energy.
2: 00 p.m. Panel: Civil Society Circle (Where do we go from here?)
Speakers:
Robb Barnes, CAPE
Robb is the Climate Program Director at the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE). Robb was previously the executive director of Ecology Ottawa as well as Capacity Building Institute. Robb is a climate advocate with 16 years of involvement in climate and environmental issues. Robb’s work has focused on engagement organizing, climate-friendly cities, and data-driven communications.
Angela Keller-Herzog, CAFES Ottawa
Angela is the Executive Director of Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES), an Ottawa-based local environmental organization and municipal climate watchdog.
She has over 20 years experience working in international development including at Transparency International and the Canadian federal government. She has represented Canada overseas and at United Nations conferences.
She is active in the community as an environmental and social justice advocate and active citizen observer of municipal affairs, serving as a director on the boards of the Glebe Community Association, and formerly the Ottawa Renewable Energy Coop and Co-Energy Ontario Coop. She is a co-founder of Ottawa Centre Refugee Action.
Angela believes in local action, taking responsibility and getting things done to create the world we want to live in. Human rights and taking climate action are two of Angela’s priorities. She has received multiple awards recognizing her progressive community leadership.
Angela is a trained economist (Master of Arts, Economics, Carleton University).
Akaash Maharaj, Director of Policy, Nature Canada
Akaash works to strengthen the policies of Canada’s federal, provincial, and Indigenous governments, to protect and conserve wildlife and habitats across our country. He has a special commitment to the implementation of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
Outside of Nature Canada, he is Ambassador-at-Large for the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption. He represents the international alliance of democratically‑elected legislators in its work combatting corruption, strengthening good government, and upholding the rule of law.
The United Nations selected him to speak for the world’s legislators in the General Assembly Chamber, on prosecuting crimes against humanity and bringing klleptocrats to justice.
A noted contributor to international debate, his articles have appeared in newspapers in every populated continent. Akaash was a broadcast essayist with TV Ontario’s The Agenda, and Maclean’s magazine named him as one of Canada’s 50 “most well-known and respected personalities”.
Earlier in his career, Akaash was a national athlete and a triple gold medallist for Canada at the International Championships of Equestrian Skill-at-Arms. He subsequently led the overall Canadian Equestrian Team and federation as CEO, to the team’s most successful Olympics and Paralympics of all time. He remains a member of the Canadian Olympic Committee.
Akaash earned his MA from Oxford University in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, and was the first overseas student elected President of the student government in the history of the 900‑year‑old University. He completed further studies at the Sorbonne Université and the United Nations University. He is a Governor and Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, a Senior Fellow of the Munk School of Global Affairs, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
An active volunteer, Akaash has taught adult literacy, has served as a director on a range of international development and local community boards, and has been particularly involved with UNICEF’s efforts on childhood and maternal welfare. He is fluent in English and French.
Julia Levin, Environmental Defence
Julia Levin is an Associate Director with the national climate team at Environmental Defence Canada, a leading environmental advocacy organisation. In her current role, she works to advance ambitious climate and energy policy. She has worked with multiple organisations in the environmental sector, including Greenpeace Canada and Oceana Canada. She holds a BSc from McGill University and a MEd from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Julia has been campaigning on environmental and climate justice issues for over a decade.
Lisa Gue, David Suzuki Foundation
Lisa Gue is national policy manager at the David Suzuki Foundation, where she has worked since 2007 on a range of federal legislative, regulatory, and budget campaigns in various political contexts.
Lisa studied at the University of Calgary (BA) and Carleton University’s School of Public Policy and Administration (MA). Other roles Lisa held prior to joining DSF include working as a policy analyst at Public Citizen (a public interest organization based in Washington, DC) and a short stint at Natural Resources Canada.
Outside work, her passions include adventures with her two children, tending to a small but productive vegetable garden, and heated political discussions.
Moderator: Richard Harmston, Former Chair, Group of 78
Richard Harmston has worked with and for internationally-focused civil society organizations for more than 50 years, primarily in the field of international development and North-South cooperation. He has specialized in organizational development, NGO-government relations, inter-organizational cooperation, and strengthening civil society, particularly on themes of development, peace, & governance. He directed the International Student Movement for the United Nations (Geneva), created and managed the Public Participation Program in the Canadian International Development Agency (Ottawa), and was Executive Director respectively of the Canadian Council for International Cooperation and South Asia Partnership Canada. He was on the founding board of directors of the North South Institute, the Group of 78, the Canadian Committee for UNIFEM, and the Civilian Peace Service Canada. He is retired in Ottawa, Canada, and continues engagement with the Group of 78 and CPSC.