• Jeffery Fletcher - Manager of Sustainability & Solid Waste, The Town of The Blue Mountains

  The Future Story is the Town's long-term plan for sustainable action. Jeffery will present on the implementation momentum to date, including net zero policy, natural asset inventory, waste reduction and more.

• Rebecca Danard - Manager Climate Change Initiatives, Grey County

  Grey County has declared a climate emergency and adopted Going Green in Grey: Climate Change Action Plan for 2022-2050. Rebecca will present on progress made so far and upcoming initiatives to mitigate and adapt to climate change, as Grey County works with lower-tier municipalities and community partners to achieve a County-wide net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target for 2050.

• Ashley Morrison - Project Manager, Georgian Bay Forever

  Georgian Bay Forever is a not-for-profit organization that conserves, protects and restores the aquatic ecosystem of all Georgian Bay. Ashley will describe the research and programs that Georgian Bay Forever runs in partnership with coastal communities to divert trash from the natural environment, pick up litter, raise public awareness and promote other actions for long-term sustainability.

• Eric Ascalon - Global Director of Community Development & Strategic Partnerships, Terracycle

  Terracycle is an innovative recycling company that provides unique recycling opportunities for waste streams that are traditionally not recyclable. Eric's presentation will describe Terracycle's programs, the roles of recycling and reuse in the circular economy, and the challenges and opportunities on the road to a world without waste.

• Sandy Gott - Executive VP, Co-owner, Ice River Sustainable Solutions

  Ice River Sustainable Solutions is a Canadian bottled water company with a focus on sustainability and recycling PET plastic. Sandy will present on Ice River Sustainable Solutions' sustainability and circular economy commitments, highlighting new fibre packaging and innovations in organic agriculture.

• Mary Jean O'Donnell - President, MJ Waste Solutions

  MJ Waste Solutions is working with the Town of The Blue Mountains on a Circular Economy Recommendations Report, which will help the Town's businesses and other waste-producing organizations identify opportunities to reduce and divert waste. An expert in waste management and the circular economy, Mary Jean will share her expertise and initial research findings from The Blue Mountains circular economy project.

• Scott Parent - Three Waters Foundation and Film

  Scott is an inspiring and immersive filmmaker and adventurer. Three Waters is a documentary film that captures the journey he and his daughter voyaged by tandem stand-up paddle board, from Drummond Island, MI, to Penetanguishene, ON, tracking the historic migration of displaced Anishinaabek and mixed families in 1828. The film also documents microplastics in Lake Huron and has inspired a new foundation dedicated to water clean-up and research.

• Priyanka Lloyd - Executive Director, Green Economy Canada

  Green Economy Canada is a national non-profit accelerating Canada’s transition to a vibrant and inclusive net-zero future. Priyanka Lloyd will share information on Green Economy Hubs, which can help businesses and other organizations set targets, reduce their impacts (such as greenhouse gas emissions) and achieve their sustainability goals.

Event Itinerary

• Morning

  The morning will consist of presentations from our keynote speakers, including discussions on the Future Story, Single Use Fibre Products + Organic Farming, and the Circular Economy.

• Lunch

  Lunch is not provided as part of the Sustainability Summit. We invite attendees to visit the wonderful shops and restaurants in Blue Mountain Village during a 60-minute lunch break. Registrants will receive discounts to some Blue Mountain Village Restaurants. 

• Afternoon

  The afternoon will include a presentation and workshop from Green Economy Canada.

  The presentation will introduce the Green Economy Hub model to attendees, which is a proven community-based model of engaging businesses in climate action and sustainability. Attendees will learn more about businesses operating in the green economy and how a Green Economy Hub can help reduce emissions, water, and waste while improving the bottom line and delivering myriad other benefits to long-term business success.

  The subsequent workshop will bring business operators and stakeholders together to explore the types of services and assistance that a Green Economy Hub could provide to their business communities, among other details to help us understand what a regional Green Economy Hub organization could look like in our area. Participants will also help build a shortlist of organizations willing to submit expressions of interest for further information and work with Green Economy Canada.

  If you are a business operator with an interest in sustainability, please attend this afternoon session!