Economic Outlook Forum 2023 Presented by Scotiabank

Following several years of pandemic-related spending in supports for Canadian individuals and businesses and necessary investments in our healthcare systems, governments are now turning their focus to economic growth and resiliency. While we are, hopefully, past many of the major hurdles associated with the pandemic, new economic challenges are surfacing and causing great concern to Canadian businesses. Inflation and rising costs are making it more difficult to do business amidst the threat of an impending recession. The market for talent and skilled employees is becoming increasingly competitive. Rising prices at the grocery store and an uncertain housing market, many individuals are less than optimistic about their economic futures. With all these challenges in a post-pandemic environment, now is this time to chart a path forward for economic growth, resiliency, and prosperity.

GVBOT’s 34th annual Economic Outlook Forum, presented by Scotiabank, will provide our region’s business leaders with a detailed, insightful and timely look at the key challenges and opportunities facing Greater Vancouver, British Columbia and Canada as a whole. This forum, one of the "must-attend" events in the 2023 business calendar, will take a hard look at the challenges facing Canadian businesses and households and provide an opportunity to discuss meaningful solutions.

OPENING KEYNOTE:

Jean-Francois Perrault
Senior Vice-President and Chief Economist
Scotiabank

MODERATOR:

Bridgitte Anderson
President and CEO
Greater Vancouver Board of Trade

CLOSING KEYNOTE:

Stephen Poloz
Special Advisor
Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Former Governor
Bank of Canada (2013-2020)

MODERATOR:

Tamara Vrooman
President & CEO
Vancouver Airport Authority

Panel 1

Executive Perspective

In a competitive market for skilled employees and new businesses, is the Greater Vancouver region well suited to support business development and growth? Industry leaders from major organizations in the region will discuss the opportunities and challenges facing their sectors in the year ahead- from the talent shortage to inflation and rising costs- and will provide thoughtful perspectives on how governments and industry can work together to make the Greater Vancouver region the best environment for doing business.

Prem Gill Eric Johnson Walter Pela Susan Yurkovich Carole Taylor

Prem Gill, CEO, Creative BC
Eric Johnson, Partner - Client Partner, Western Canada, Public, IBM
Walter Pela, Regional Managing Partner, KPMG
Susan Yurkovich, Senior Vice President, Global Business Development, Canfor
Moderator: Carole Taylor, Former BC Finance Minister

Panel 2:

The Political Economy

This panel brings together journalists and political commentators to discuss the current political landscape in a post-COVID world. Following the municipal elections and leading into upcoming provincial and federal elections, panelists will explore government priorities for the year ahead and how they may impact the local business community.

Dan Fumano Raj Sihota Richard Zussman Simi Sara

Dan Fumano, City Columnist, Vancouver Sun & Province
Raj Sihota, Vice President, Strategies 360
Richard Zussman, Reporter, Global BC
Moderator: Simi Sara, Host, Mornings with Simi on 980 CKNW

Thursday, January 26, 2023

8:00 AM

Location:Fairmont Hotel Vancouver - BC Ballroom
900 W Georgia St., Vancouver

Schedule:Registration and Breakfast: 8:00 - 8:30 a.m. PT
Program: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. PT

Full Agenda

Submit Your Questions

We want you to be part of the discussion. To participate, go to slido.com and use the password #ECONOMIC

Sponsor Resources

At Scotiabank, we know you're in business for the long term, and so are we. We provide you with advice, solutions, and flexibility that gets you through the milestones, the challenges, and allows you to seize opportunities you encounter along the way.

CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. As the only railroad connecting Canada's Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. South through a 18,600-mile rail network, CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

Delivering Responsibly is at the heart of how CN is building for a sustainable future. It means moving customer goods safely and efficiently, being environmentally responsible, attracting and developing the best railroaders, helping build safer, stronger communities, while adhering to the highest ethical standards. We are raising our game to deliver for a sustainable future, to make a meaningful difference for our people, our customers and the many communities where we operate.

IBM Canada is headquartered in Markham, Ontario and is one of Canada's top ten private R&D investors; contributing more than $478 million to Canadian research and development initiatives last year. IBM has a unique approach to collaboration that provides small and large business, start-ups and developers with business strategies and computing tools they need to innovate. Areas of focus include AI, cloud and security. Canada is also home to IBM's largest microelectronics packaging and test facility in Bromont, Quebec and the largest software development organization in the country, with sites in Markham, Ottawa, and Fredericton.

For more information, visit ibm.com/ca

As the Metro Vancouver region’s economic development leadership service, Invest Vancouver is laying the foundation for a region where every resident can thrive economically in a fast-changing economy. We foster greater regional and cross-sectoral collaboration on economic development issues, advise leaders on economic policy and strategy, promote the region to a global audience, and attract strategic investment — all while working closely with leaders throughout the region.