Agenda

2023 Agenda

October 3, 2023

7:30 AM - 4:30 PM EST
Registration Open - Sponsored by FLO
7:30 AM - 8:15 AM EST

Networking Breakfast

Hon. Andrea Khanjin

Minister

Environment, Conservation and Parks

Foyer

Minister Khanjin, the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) for Ontario, will open the networking breakfast at 7:45 am to kick off RCC’s Retail Sustainability Conference. Come early to enjoy the food, connect with old friends and colleagues and make new connections. Be sure to explore the diverse group of exhibitors offering state-of-the-art solutions.

8:15 AM - 8:30 AM EST

Welcoming Remarks

Main Session Hall

Michael Zabaneh

VP, Sustainability

Retail Council of Canada

Diane J. Brisbois

President and CEO

Retail Council of Canada

Krista Scaldwell

President

Canadian Beverage Association

Michael Graydon

CEO

Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada

8:30 AM - 8:50 AM EST

Systemic Change in Plastics and Product Sustainability

Galen Weston

President and Chairman

Loblaw Companies Limited

Main Session Hall

In an evolving EPR landscape, industry led solutions are critical to addressing the urgent plastic waste challenge facing Canada. Galen Weston will share how that sort of system change underpins Loblaws commitment to make all control brand and in-store plastic packaging recyclable and reusable by 2025.

8:50 AM - 9:30 AM EST

Leadership’s Blueprint to Net Zero

Main Session Hall

True leadership transcends mere profitability—it crafts a legacy. Explore the visionary strides key industry leaders are making towards net zero waste and emissions. Learn how top retailers and manufacturers are embracing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems, managing product lifecycles, packaging, and navigating supply chain complexities. Join Geraldine Huse, President of P&G Canada, and George Soleas, President and CEO of LCBO as they offer invaluable insights from their journeys, spotlighting both triumphs and tribulations on their paths to sustainable change.

Geraldine Huse

President

P&G Canada

George Soleas

President & CEO

LCBO

Michael LeBlanc

Founder & President

M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc.

9:30 AM - 9:50 AM EST

Decoding ESG Reporting for Tomorrow’s Investors

Michael Jantzi

Member

International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB)

Main Session Hall

In an era of heightened scrutiny, the demand for clear, concise, and comprehensive Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting is soaring. Join Michael Jantzi, a distinguished member of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), as he clarifies the evolving landscape of ESG standards. Gain a deeper understanding of frameworks, rating agencies, and the relentless push towards unparalleled data transparency and comparability.

9:50 AM - 9:55 AM EST

Understanding and Reducing Scope 3 Emissions

Matt Twist

Global Head of Sales and Marketing

Dayrize

Fast Five Sponsor Highlight

Main Session Hall

Every product holds an environmental story, often complex and hidden within its supply chain. In this session we outline Canada’s top selling products through the lens of Dayrize’s technology. Learn how the potent combination of technology and insight can guide retailers, their suppliers, and manufacturers towards mastering the challenge of Scope 3 emissions and steering the industry closer to net zero.

9:55 AM - 10:20 AM EST

Decarbonizing Retail: Practical Steps for Scope 1 & Scope 2 Emissions

Main Session Hall

Achieving net zero emissions demands innovation. Explore how leading retailers in Canada are leveraging every means – from AI thermostats, sustainable building designs, and eco-friendly materials to decarbonize within Scope 1 and Scope 2. Learn about the role of certifications in authenticating sustainability efforts and how initiatives, such as carbon offset flights, are actively reducing carbon emissions. Uncover the building blocks of a greener retail future.

Mary De Guzman

Director, Environmental, Social and Governance

Sleep Country

Crystal Rasa

CSCMP, Customer Fulfilment Sourcing Manager

IKEA Canada

Jonathan Farkouh

Director, Environmental Sustainability Programs

The Estée Lauder Companies

Gabe Smith

VP, Client Development

Schneider Electric

10:20 AM - 10:25 AM EST

Retail’s Electric Future

Himanshu Sudan

CEO & Co-Founder

Jule

Fast Five Sponsor Highlight

Main Session Hall

Discover how incorporating battery-powered EV charging at various retail sites across Toronto has paved the way for substantial energy savings while serving the growing EV market. Learn about the seamless integration of this innovative technology in the grocery industry and how it unlocked EV charging and energy cost reduction opportunities for their customers.

10:25 AM - 10:50 AM EST

Bridging the Gap: Building Trust in Sustainable Brands

Main Session Hall

Sustainability claims echo from factory floors to checkout lanes, yet how many resonate with consumers? Dig into the latest 2023 market insights with Joe Solly, Partner & National Consumer Sustainability & Climate Leader at Deloitte Canada. He’ll spotlight the significant divide between corporate claims and consumer perceptions, emphasizing the power of authentic business purpose in forging brand trust and what retailers need to consider.

Joe Solly

Partner, National Consumer Sustainability & Climate Leader

Deloitte Canada

Rochelle Ezekiel

Senior VP, Digital Retail

Canada Goose

10:50 AM - 11:20 AM EST

Networking Break

Foyer

Enjoy networking and refreshments in the exhibit hall with fellow attendees and connect with exhibitors to learn more about how they are supporting the industry.

11:20 AM - 12:05 PM EST

Unwrapping: The Evolution of Eco-Design in Packaging

Leveraging Data to Build a Circular Economy

Making Dollars and Sense out of Food Waste

12:05 PM - 1:15 PM EST

Networking Lunch

Foyer

Connect with your fellow attendees and chat with speakers over lunch in the exhibit hall or attend the lunch and learn session in the ballroom.

12:20 PM - 12:40 PM EST

Tackling Scope 2 Emissions with Artificial Intelligence

Jean-Simon Venne

Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer

BrainBox AI

Lunch and Learn

Orion A

Decarbonizing retail operations is crucial with many retailers progressing on Scope 1 emissions by electrifying fleets and aligning supply chains to meet Scope 3 needs. This session will highlight the benefits of applying artificial intelligence to real estate assets to contribute to an organization’s sustainability targets and how leading Canadian retailers including Sleep Country and SAIL Outdoors are using AI today. 

1:15 PM - 2:00 PM EST

Advancing the Circular Economy: Navigating Ontario’s Advanced Recycling Systems

Improving Data Transparency within the Packaging Value Chain

Unlocking ESG Success: The Investor Perspective

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM EST

Networking Break

Foyer

Enjoy networking and refreshments in the exhibit hall with fellow attendees and connect with exhibitors to learn more about how they are supporting the industry.

2:30 PM - 2:40 PM EST

Federal Policy Update

Main Session Hall

Federal policy update from Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Megan Nichols

Associate Assistant Deputy Minister of the Environmental Protection Branch (EPB)

Environment and Climate Change, Canada

Shannon Castellarin

Manager, Policy and Instrument Development Section

Environment and Climate Change Canada

2:40 PM - 3:05 PM EST

Canada Post’s Path to Transparent Supply Chain Integration

Main Session Hall

The challenges of Scope 3 reporting reveal the intricate nuances of supply chain transparency. While retailers and manufacturers don’t always hold the reins with their partners in these data-driven endeavors, teamwork and collaboration is transformative. In this session, Canada Post sheds light on the innovative ways they and their business partners are working together to align and achieve their ambitious goals.

Carrie Chisholm

VP, Environment, Social, Governance (ESG)

Canada Post

Maya Colombani

Chief Sustainability & Human Rights Officer

L’ORÉAL

3:05 PM - 3:10 PM EST

Reducing Empty Miles in the Supply Chain

Jeff Doman

Director, Sustainability

CHEP Canada

Fast Five Sponsor Highlight

Main Session Hall

Lowering emissions is about reducing empty truck trips during both inbound and outbound product/pallet flows. Collaboration is key in finding the right opportunities in the supply chain to tackle these issues. Jeff Doman from CHEP Canada will highlight how retailers are trimming these unnecessary trips, streamlining operations and going greener.

3:10 PM - 3:35 PM EST

Digital Tools to Combat Climate Change

Nick Venditti

Account Executive, Google Cloud

Google

Main Session Hall

In our tech-savvy, eco-conscious world, digitization of operations offers an opportunity to be more efficient, reduce impact and improve tracking and reporting of metrics. Nick Venditti with Google Cloud share how earth observation data is being used to better understand climate risks and provide insights to inform policies for adaptation strategies. Learn how these tools are enhancing energy efficiency, accelerating the circular economy, and how Google Cloud sustainability offerings are helping retailers reduce their carbon footprint.

3:35 PM - 3:40 PM EST

Recycling Electronics to Steward a Sustainable Future

Cliff Hacking

President and CEO

Electronic Products Recycling Association

Fast Five Sponsor Highlight

Main Session Hall

Recycle My Electronics programs support sustainability objectives for retailers, manufacturers and distributers within an ever evolving EPR landscape. Cliff Hacking, EPRA President & CEO, shares how they are supporting resource recovery of critical minerals, accessibility to recycling, diversion from landfill, plus safe, secure data destruction for residents, businesses, and the circular economy.

3:40 PM - 4:10 PM EST

Sustainability at the Core: Retail’s Path to Zero Waste and Net Zero

Main Session Hall

In an era where sustainability has taken center stage in corporate strategies, ESG experts from Canadian Tire, Maple Leaf Foods, and McDonald’s are at the forefront of change. Join them a candid discussion about their current efforts, key challenges and future perspectives regarding critical topics such as sustainable packaging and waste reduction, the evolving producer responsibility landscape and climate mitigation throughout their supply chains.

Kim Saunders

VP ESG Strategy

Canadian Tire Corporation

Gemma Hinksman

Senior Director - Canada Impact Team

McDonald's Canada

Joe McMahan

VP, Sustainability and Shared Value

Maple Leaf Foods

Michael Zabaneh

VP, Sustainability

Retail Council of Canada

4:10 PM - 4:30 PM EST

Blue Water, Blue Fibers and the Blue Paradox: Addressing the Global Plastics Waste Crisis

Fisk Johnson

Chairman and CEO

SC Johnson

Main Session Hall

Dr. Fisk Johnson, Chairman and CEO of SC Johnson, dives into the problems of plastic waste, the frustrations of trying to create impactful change, and the steps needed to turn the tide.

4:30 PM - 4:30 PM EST
Closing Remarks
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM EST

Networking Cocktail Reception

Foyer

Stay for networking cocktail reception to debrief the day with your fellow attendees and speakers. Be sure to make some new connections and discover new business solutions provided by our exhibitors.

Interested in having a presence and sharing your retail story at the Retail Sustainability Conference 2023?

Contact RCC Sponsorship at rccsponsorship@retailcouncil.org for more information.