The inaugural Maclean’s Ideas Summit featured leading thinkers discussing Canada’s future in 2023
Inspired by the recent issue of Year Ahead magazine, Maclean’s inaugural Ideas Summit featured leading thinkers discussing Canada’s future in 2023. The three-day in-person and virtual summit, held in partnership with exclusive sponsor Uber Canada, as well as the University Health Network and Colliers, included a live Q&A with Dr. David Suzuki, a fireside chat with Dr. Andrew Boozary, and a Mini Talk panel of industry leaders. on innovation in healthcare, business, education and more.
The summit kicked off on January 24 with a virtual webinar and live Q&A with world-renowned author and activist Dr. David Suzuki. Suzuki issued a powerful call to action against climate change: “We don’t know enough to know if it’s too late, but it’s too late.” He encouraged young adults to challenge old ways of thinking, reduce their carbon footprints, and protect the air, water, and soil in their communities. Jason Maghanoy, SJC Media’s Vice President of Digital Solutions and Business Developer, hosted the event and led the Q&A session.
The second day of the summit took place on January 26, with networking, drinks and an informal chat with Dr. Andrew Boozary of the University Health Network. Boozary discussed how the pandemic had widened existing health disparities faced by underserved communities. He explained that the UHN prioritizes social health care, ensuring that marginalized groups have equitable access to family doctors, vaccines, and public care. After an engaging audience question and answer session, guests mingled and enjoyed food and drinks.
Dr. Andrew Boozary during his fireside chat hosted by Jason Maghanoy, SJC Media’s Vice President of Digital Solutions and Business Development.
Guests for a Fireside Chat with Dr. Andrew Boozary
Everyone was invited back to the final event of the summit: a series of mini talks held at OCAD University on January 30. The evening began with networking and drinks, followed by a series of speeches from leading thinkers on the future of innovation in Canada. Sarah Fulford, editor-in-chief of Maclean’yesopened the panel with a keynote address on the profound impact maclean’s has had in the Canadian conversation.
Sarah Fulford, Maclean’s Editor-in-Chief, opened the panel with a keynote address.
The first was Laura Miller, Public Policy and Communications Lead for Uber Canada, who spoke about the future of work in Canada and innovation at Uber. She urged the government to create a “new job classification category” that gives drivers and food delivery workers flexibility, benefits and protection.
Laura Miller, Uber’s head of public policy and communications, opened the Mini Talk series at OCAD University’s waterfront campus to discuss the future of work in Canada.
Wes Hall, Chairman and Founder of Weshall Investments and Dragon on CBC’s the dragon’s lair, discussed the lack of diversity in Canadian companies. “We have replaced white men with the same homogeneous group of people,” she said, explaining that only 6.2 percent of the 54 percent of women in boardrooms and senior management positions are black or indigenous. She urged those in positions of power and privilege to recognize the systemic racism that permeates all areas of society and work to find long-term solutions to address it. “I am 20 times more likely to be shot dead by police, even if I am not armed, even though I make up less than 10 percent of the black population in Toronto,” Hall said.
Wes Hall, Chairman and Founder of WeShall Investments Inc.; Kingsdale advisers from The BlackNorth Initiative; and dragon at CBC’s Dragons’ Den, discussing the impact of diversity and inclusion on Canadian sectors and industries.
Next, MASS LBP Founder and Director Peter Macleod discussed the state of democracy in Canada. He urged Canadians to take a look at the future of responsible government. “Yes to lowering the voting age so the next generation is heard,” he said. “Yes to giving permanent residents the municipal vote…and yes to voting on a holiday because your democracy is something to celebrate.”
Stefan Raos, head of public affairs and partnerships at Moderna Canada, said public health will continue to innovate by embracing technology. Moderna, for example, partnered with the Canadian government to build the first mRNA facility outside the United States, in Quebec. “This partnership is now being used as a model for the rest of the world and one that other countries plan to replicate,” says Raos.
Stefan Raos, Head of Public Affairs and Partnerships at Moderna speaking about Moderna’s impact during this pandemic and its innovations for the next pandemic.
John Duda, President of Real Estate Management Services at Colliers Canada, took the stage to talk about the importance of building creative spaces post-pandemic to improve productivity and well-being in the workplace. “What we have from our recent survey is that 44 percent of companies no longer have a dedicated space for ideas, which is a dramatic change from before.”
The Mini Talk series ended with Ana Serrano, President and Vice Chancellor of OCAD University, who spoke about the evolution of learning in Canada. She praised the education system for embracing technology and engaging students in a new environment during the pandemic. “We had a once in a hundred year opportunity to innovate like never before. We work with determination to legitimize ways of working and living that were previously considered difficult,” says Ella Serrano.
The summit came to a close with an opportunity for guests to enjoy a cocktail with food provided by Urban Fare Catering Inc., and engage in intimate conversation with and network with leaders and thinkers.
[L to R] The speakers of the Mini Talks series, Ana Serrano, president and vice-rector of the OCAD University; John Duda, president of real estate management services at Colliers Canada; Peter MacLeod, Founder and Director of MASS LBP and Laura Miller, Director of Public Policy and Communications for Uber Canada.