Schedule

Be sure to grab coffee and breakfast and join your colleagues as John Gamble and Jerome Pelletier kickoff with opening remarks at 7:45am.

Join our opening keynote speaker Candace Laing, CEO and President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, as she explores the current state of the Canadian economy and how it has been shaped by political developments. From shifting government priorities to evolving trade relations, these factors continue to influence business confidence, investment, and long-term growth. This address will examine the broader economic landscape, highlighting the domestic and international challenges and opportunities ahead, and provide insights to help navigate an increasingly complex environment.

A year after the launch of the ACEC Research Institute’s Sentiment Study, join our panel as they explore how industry perspectives have evolved. Gain an in-depth understanding of the latest findings from the Engineering Business Sentiment Survey, which provides a comprehensive look at the industry's current outlook. Following a presentation of the results, the panel of diverse stakeholders—including leaders from consulting engineering firms and contractors—will examine how sentiment has shifted over the past year, what trends have emerged, and what these insights mean for the future. Don't miss this opportunity to see how industry confidence, challenges, and opportunities have changed—and what it means for your firm. Panelists Joe Bates - ACEC Institute - Moderator Rodrigue Gilbert - President of the Canadian Construction Association John Flewelling - President of CBCL Brett Medeiros - Senior Analyst for Business and Professional Services of RSM Canada

Take a breather and mingle with peers during our coffee break. It's the perfect opportunity to discuss the morning's insights, refresh, and energize yourself for the upcoming sessions.

In a rapidly evolving industry, firms around the world are adapting to new challenges by rethinking how they attract and retain talent, build capacity, integrate new technology, and foster strong workplace cultures. This session will explore international best practices that are transforming the industry, offering insights into innovative strategies that can help firms of all sizes and in all markets drive success. Industry leaders will share global perspectives on workforce development, emerging technologies, and evolving work environments, highlighting lessons that can be applied in the Canadian market. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how firms worldwide are addressing skills shortages, leveraging AI for efficiency, and creating workplace cultures that attract and retain top talent. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore forward-thinking approaches and learn of industry best practices that can position your firm, regardless of its size or market reach, for long-term success. Panelists: Moderator- Sabrina Martineau, Chief of staff to the President & CEO of AtkinsRéalis Martin Milot, COO of BBA Ryan Roberts, Executive VP of Stantec Jason Sachs, Senior Principal at Mercer Audrey Jacob, Business Area Director for Places of Arcadis

Join us for a midday break where we will serve a variety of delicious, locally-sourced meals. This is a great chance to network, reflect on the morning's proceedings, and prepare for the afternoon's sessions.

Part of Canada’s economic resilience and global competitiveness depends on its ability to remove internal barriers, invest in strategic infrastructure, and empower industries to thrive. Yet, interprovincial trade restrictions, fragmented regulations, and inadequate infrastructure continue to hinder growth, innovation, and financial viability. Ryan Manucha, Writer and Research Fellow at CD Howe Institute, will explore how eliminating interprovincial trade restrictions can unlock billions in economic potential while fostering national unity. It will highlight the critical role of strategic infrastructure investment—spanning transportation, energy, and digital networks—in securing long-term prosperity. More importantly, it will outline a vision for economic resilience, emphasizing the policies and leadership required to ensure Canada remains competitive on the world stage. By addressing these challenges head-on, Canada can take control of its economic future, positioning itself as a stronger, more self-sufficient nation ready to take the lead in an evolving global economy.

Risk isn’t just a challenge—it’s an opportunity. This session will explore how firms can transform risk management from a cost centre into a profit driver by proactively identifying, mitigating, and even capitalizing on risk. Risk must also be managed beyond the firm’s yearly programs and consider how it infringes on collaborative procurement models. With increasingly rapid advancements in technologies that potentially increase risk while reducing chargeable hours, we need to rethink procurement and remuneration and find ways to monetize risk to survive. The panel will discuss strategies for managing contractual, financial, and operational risks, ensuring they become sources of strength rather than liabilities. They will also provide practical insights into when and how to engage insurers to manage excess risk effectively. Learn how strategic risk allocation, early engagement with insurers, and proactive planning can enhance project outcomes, leverage collaboration, improve financial performance, and strengthen client relationships. Gain the knowledge you need to turn risk into a competitive advantage for your firm. Panelists Steve Panciuk - Moderator Carolyn Francis - Geographic Contracts Manager, Canada at Jacobs. Moe Roghabadi Global Director, Risk at Hatch Joël Taché is the Chief Risk Officer at AtkinsRéalis. Jeannine Tse Director of Commercial Risk Governance, Associate General Counsel at Stantec

The consulting engineering industry has a unique opportunity to move beyond traditional roles and become true leaders in shaping infrastructure decisions. With the prospect of a National Infrastructure Assessment providing a long-term roadmap for Canada’s infrastructure needs and the concept of a national corridor gaining traction, now is the time for consulting engineers to step up as strategic advisors and be part of shaping public policy and new approaches to delivering projects. This session will explore how firms can proactively bring innovative ideas to project owners, identify emerging needs, and drive project timelines—positioning themselves as indispensable partners in infrastructure development. A panel of industry leaders and infrastructure stakeholders will discuss how firms can take the lead in planning and executing transformative projects like high-speed rail and a national corridor, ensuring they are at the forefront of shaping Canada’s economic and social future. Attendees will gain insights into strategies for influencing decision-making, building stronger relationships with project owners, and positioning their firms as key drivers of progress. Panelists: - Moderator, WSP Peter Blahnik, Partner, Consulting and Deals with PwC Angus English, Senior Project Manager of Aecom Scott Marshall, Senior VP, Major Projects of Aecon Christopher Scollard, Engineering Operations Director of Kiewit

Have you noticed the age difference of the people sitting near you at work? Look around at your next meeting and you will see someone close to retirement sitting next to a freshly out-of-school graduate. These circumstances present a unique challenge for today’s leaders: how to motivate and manage an inter-generational work force. Aging demographics and the shrinking workforce has been a front and centre topic for a number of years. With people living longer, staying in the workforce longer or re-entering the workforce after retirement, we are now experiencing the latest form of diversity in the workplace—five generations! Should leaders be concerned about these shifting generation gaps? Definitely! To achieve maximum productivity and a good work environment, an effective leader is a leader who understands, manages and communicates across all generations. Today it is commonplace for five generations to be working side by side within an organization. This recent phenomenon is contributing to the newest and probably most significant workplace challenge for today’s leaders. Research shows that bridging the generation gap leads to a more productive and happy work environment. Managing a specific generation (e.g., the Millennials) is no longer enough. It is now critical for a leader to understand, manage and communicate cogently across all generations. Eddie LeMoine has been delivering keynote presentations and training sessions on the inter-generational workplace since 2005 and is considered a foremost authority on this topic.

Join ACEC and members of the consulting engineering community for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate 100 years of engineering excellence. The Centennial Dinner will take place at the stunning O’Born Room at the National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street , located just steps away from Fairmont Château Laurier. Step into 1925: Art Deco and Engineering Excellence Travel back in time with our Art Deco-inspired evening celebrating the innovations, achievements, and people who have shaped our industry over the past century.Guests will be welcomed by a live jazz trio during the cocktail reception, where interactive touchscreen displays will showcase key moments in ACEC’s history. A plated dinner will follow, along with a lively game show-style entertainment segment to cap off the celebration. Dress Code: Cocktail attire with a vintage flair encouraged