Carlo is also Director of the Trade & Investment Centre at the Canada West Foundation where he develops and leads research to promote growth and profitability in western Canada’s export economy. Carlo has a long history in international public policy most recently as Senior Fellow in the University of Ottawa’s School of International Development and Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. He is also a member of the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations (COMEXI).

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Carlo has been a leading voice in debates on recent Canadian free trade agreements and development of trade infrastructure. He has a reputation for big-picture thinking and is a leading global expert on pan-Pacific trade, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Pacific Alliance trade blocs. He is one of Canada’s leading commentators on North American competitiveness and Canada-Mexico relations. Carlo is a highly sought-after media commentator throughout North America.

Dean Allison was elected as the first MP for the riding of Niagara West-Glanbrook on June 28, 2004, and was re-elected with resounding majorities in the 2006, 2008, 2011 and 2015 general elections. On October 21, 2019 Dean began his sixth term as the MP for the riding of Niagara West.

A graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University with a degree in Economics, Dean established himself in the Hamilton and Niagara area through accumulating businesses and working for a major franchise organization. He served his community as President of the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital Foundation, as President of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, a Director of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and board member of Junior Achievement in Niagara. Allison is also a founding member of the Dave Thomas Adoption Foundation in Canada and the Belarus Children of Chernobyl program that brings children affected by the Chernobyl disaster to Canada.
 

With regard to his parliamentary duties, Dean has served as Critic for International Development and has chaired the Human Resources, Skills Development and Status of Persons with Disabilities committee, and the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.  He also chaired the Liaison Committee for almost 10 years. Additionally, former Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed Dean to the Red Tape Reduction Commission which released an influential report on the relationship between government and the private sector.
 

On August 30, 2017, the Hon. Andrew Scheer, Leader of the Official Opposition appointed Dean as Shadow Minister for International Trade Diversification.
 

As a committed advocate for his constituents, Dean works tirelessly on their behalf and can often be found at community events and meetings in the riding. Through his efforts, hundreds of individuals and numerous businesses have seen positive results.
 

Dean lives in Beamsville with his wife and children.

Tony Clement a former Canadian former federal politician and former Member of Parliament for Parry Sound—Muskoka in Ontario. Before entering federal politics, Clement served as an Ontario cabinet minister, including as Minister of Health and Long-Term Care under premiers Mike Harris and Ernie Eves.

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Clement won the seat of Parry Sound—Muskoka in the 2006 federal election, defeating incumbent Liberal cabinet minister Andy Mitchell. The Conservatives formed government in that election and Clement was appointed Minister of Health and Minister for FedNor. He also later served as President of the Treasury Board. Clement was re-elected despite the Conservative defeat in the 2015 election. On July 12, 2016, he announced his second bid for the leadership of the Conservative Party but withdrew on October 13, 2016

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Source: Wikipedia

Dr. Margaret Cottle is a Palliative Care physician in Vancouver, BC, and a graduate of University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine.  For over 30 years Dr. Cottle’s practice has been exclusively dedicated to the care of dying patients and their loved ones.  She is a clinical assistant professor at the UBC medical school where she teaches in clinical skills courses and in palliative care.  Dr. Cottle has spoken in Canada, Mexico, the United States and Europe about ethical issues, caring for aging loved ones, and palliative care.  In  2006 and 2017, she gave invited presentations to members of the Parliament of Canada concerning end-of-life issues. Dr. Cottle is a member of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, the Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians and the Latin American Palliative Care Association.  

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She has served on the board for the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition of Canada.

David Anderson is a former Canadian Member of Parliament for Cypress Hills-Grasslands, now retired. In his nearly 20 year career as an MP, he has served in portfolios dealing with Human Rights, Foreign Affairs, Natural Resources, Trade and Agriculture, championing the promotion of important freedoms – both economic and personal.

He serves as Chair of the Steering Group for the IPPFoRB – The International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief, a worldwide network of legislators focused on supporting the basic principles of the freedom to believe, to change belief, and to practice belief.

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David Anderson is a family man, a business and political leader, and an experienced communicator.  Read more...

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John Carpay was born in the Netherlands, and grew up in British Columbia.  He earned his B.A. in Political Science at Laval University in Quebec City, and his LL.B. from the University of Calgary.  Fluent in English, French, and Dutch, John served the Canadian Taxpayers Federation as Alberta Director from 2001 to 2005, advocating for lower taxes, less waste, and accountable government.  Called to the Bar in 1999, he has been an advocate for freedom and the rule of law in constitutional cases across Canada.  As the founder and president of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, John has devoted his legal career to defending constitutional freedoms through litigation and education.  He considers it a privilege to advocate for courageous and principled clients who take great risks – and make tremendous personal sacrifices – by resisting the unjust demands of intolerant government authorities.  In 2010, John received the Pyramid Award for Ideas and Public Policy in recognition of his work in constitutional advocacy, and his success in building up and managing a non-profit organization to defend citizens’ freedoms.  He serves on the Board of Advisors of iJustice, an initiative of the Centre for Civil Society, India.

Aaron joined the CTF as Federal Director in 2014. A lawyer by training, Aaron practised litigation in his native Kitchener, Ontario, and then corporate law with a major international law firm in London, Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi, before returning to Canada to work with a prominent political consulting firm.

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In addition to being a recovering lawyer, Aaron is also a recovering partisan, having previously served as a political organizer and campaign manager for several political candidates in federal and provincial elections and leadership campaigns (some successful, some not so much).  He was author of a rabble-rousing weekly opinion column in the campus newspaper during his undergraduate days, and a prolific political blogger back in a time when people actually read blogs.

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Aaron holds a BA in economics and political science from the University of Waterloo, and a J.D. from the Faculty of Law at the University of Western Ontario, where he served as student body president during his final year of studies. He lives in Ottawa with his wife and children.

Joy Smith B.Ed, M.Ed, was a teacher for 23 years, a Member of the Manitoba Legislature from 1999-2003, and a Member of Parliament from 2004-2015.

She first became aware of human trafficking from her police officer son, Edward, who was working in the Integrated Child Exploitation Unit (ICE). Over the years she has helped many young victims who have been exploited or trafficked by their abusers.

In Parliament, Joy Smith made Canadian history as the first sitting MP to amend the Criminal Code twice, passing Bill C-268, mandatory minimum sentencing for trafficking of children 18 years and younger, and Bill C-310, which reaches Canadian law into other countries where Canadian citizens or permanent residents traffic or exploit others abroad. These laws provide an incentive for survivors to testify against their abusers, knowing that their perpetrators will be brought to justice under Canadian law. In addition, she wrote the prototype for the Canadian National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking. Joy Smith also took a leadership role in Bill C-36, making the purchase of sex illegal in Canada today and reducing the demand for human trafficking.  Read more...

Art Lightstone obtained his business diploma from St. Lawrence College, his BA and BEd from Queen’s University, and his MEd from York University. Always quick to embrace new approaches and tools in the classroom, Art established what he referred to as "web-supported courses" (today, often referred to as "blended learning") back in 1996, he launched www.newlearner.com in 1997, and, starting in 1998, he developed and taught one of the first e-Learning courses to ever be approved for an Ontario Ministry of Education credit. Over the years, Art has run a number of professional seminars and workshops on the topic of integrating technology into the classroom, and his work in this area has been featured in educational publications such as TEACH magazine and Our Kids Go to School magazine.

Art has taught at Holy Trinity School since 1991. In that time, his academic focus has been on teaching Grade 12 courses in the areas of business and social studies. Law, accounting, and AP economics have formed his specialty for the better part of two decades. Outside of the classroom, Art has coached volleyball, tennis, fitness, and has even begun to dabble in hockey - a new sport that he decided to pick up later in life.

Faytene Grasseschi has been an humanitarian and advocacy worker since 1997.  In this time period her areas of focus have included equipping Canadians in the democratic process, combating human trafficking, racism, poverty, first nations issues, elder abuse and women’s issues. 

Her work has been featured on various national & regional news outlets across Canada. She was recognized by Charisma Magazine as one of the worlds top 21 most influential next generation leaders and has been awarded the ANCJ Emerging Leadership Award in Jerusalem.  She has spoken to Parliamentary Committees and has been consulted as a voice on social justice issues both at Parliament and grass roots forums across Canada.

Ben Kennedy has been a community leader in the Etobicoke and Brampton area for decades.  He has served as a youth advisor, mentor and public speaker.  He ran for nomination of the Conservative Party of Canada in Brampton in 2018 and is now professionally functioning as a licensed mortgage broker.

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Ben will be assisting with emceeing this event.

Niels Veldhuis is President of the Fraser Institute, Canada’s top ranked think-tank and among the top 20 globally, according to the University of Pennsylvania’s Global Go To Think Tanks Report. Niels has written six books and more than 50 peer-reviewed studies on a wide range of economic topics. In 2011, he was awarded (along with his co-authors) the prestigious Sir Antony Fisher International Memorial Award for the best-selling book, The Canadian Century. Niels is in high demand for his opinions and perspectives on major economic and social issues, appearing regularly on radio and television programs across Canada and in the United States. He has written more than 200 articles that have appeared in over 50 newspapers including the Globe and Mail, Wall Street Journal, National Post, and the Economist. Niels is best known for his ability to explain matters of government policy in a down-to-earth manner, making them easily understandable. He travels widely across North America, speaking to business groups, corporate gatherings, voluntary organizations, and students. In 2011, Niels led a discussion between former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush at the Surrey Economic Forum. Niels holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, with joint majors in business and economics, and a Master’s Degree in Economics from Simon Fraser University. In 2010 he was named one of Vancouver’s Top 40 under 40 by Business in Vancouver.

The Honourable Stockwell Day joined McMillan's Vancouver office as a Senior Strategic Advisor in 2011. In this capacity, Mr. Day uses the extensive experience he gained in senior government roles - including as the former Minister of International Trade, the former Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway and the former President of the Treasury Board, to serve as an advisor for clients and their business objectives.

Mr. Day was successfully elected to senior government roles and positions 9 times over 25 years at two levels of government and in 2 separate provinces. From 1986 to 2000, Stockwell Day represented Red Deer North in the Alberta Legislature, where he served in the Progressive Conservative Government in a variety of senior roles, including Chief Whip, Government House Leader, Minister of Labour and Minister of Social Services. From 1997 to 2000 he was Provincial Treasurer (Minister of Finance) and Acting Premier.  Read more....

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