Thursday, November 19, 2009
METRO FORUM 2009 – The Cities Conference
Speaker:
Ken Livingstone, Former Mayor of London 2000-2008
Transportation and planning, land use, the regional economy, integrated resource management, dealing with crime and infrastructure, financial challenges – all issues of regional and local importance. But as a region, how do we make the important decisions about who does what, where, when and how?
How do we prepare the region for the economic upswing when it arrives? Now is not the time to rest on our laurels, now is the time for innovation and action. Come hear from a Mayors Panel and keynote speaker Ken Livingstone, the former mayor of London, who knows a thing or two about innovation and action. One of Livingstone’s greatest challenges was dealing with the city’s ageing transportation infrastructure while reducing London’s impact on the environment.
7:45 – 9:15 a.m. Breakfast FINANCING SERVICES IN TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES
Mayors Panel:
His Worship Malcolm Brodie Mayor, City of Richmond
Her Worship Lois Jackson Mayor, Corporation of Delta and Chair, Metro Vancouver Board of Directors
His Worship Richard Walton Mayor, District of North Vancouver and Vice-Chair, Metro Vancouver Board of Directors
Her Worship Dianne Watts Mayor, City of Surrey
We are all going through tough economic times and the cost of building necessary infrastructure, meeting environmental and public health standards, and the day to day costs of maintaining the education, health and police and fire services that we all expect, are all seen to be constantly escalating. So it feels like we are in a pretty tough squeeze.
On the other hand, we are one of the richest regions in one of the richest countries in the world. Our taxes are lower than virtually any other city in Canada and Canada's taxes are generally lower than those of progressive countries in Europe that face the same challenges as we do. So what's the problem? Is it the tough economic times? Is there an expectation for world class services without paying for them? Or is there a problem in the way we finance these services that other places don't have?
9:15 – 9:30 a.m. Networking Break
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Concurrent Panel Sessions TRANSPORTATION AND PLANNING: A question of connections Transportation and development are synergistic - one shapes the other. In the Metro Vancouver region – which plays a major international gateway role for the movement of both goods and people - significant population growth is projected, and particular areas are expected to grow faster and more intensely than others. In this context, which comes first – transportation or development? How do we ensure there are connections made between high growth areas? How do we make best use of local transportation assets, including roadways, waterways and railways? What might be the impact of various cost management solutions, such as tolling and road pricing? What strategies will enhance access to affordable housing, jobs and markets while reducing air emissions?
Chris Badger, Chief Operating Officer, Port Metro Vancouver
Johnny Carline, Commissioner and Chief Administrative Officer, Metro Vancouver
Paul Landry, President and Chief Executive Officer, British Columbia Trucking Association
Tom Prendergast, Chief Executive Officer, TransLink
MAKING THE BUSINESS CASE FOR WASTE Integrated resource recovery (IRR) is a new direction for local governments and the Province of British Columbia. In essence, it demands that we start thinking of waste as a resource – as an opportunity to create energy, reduce GHG emissions; conserve water and recover nutrients. While there is no doubt that the technology exists to effectively turn waste into a resource, there are questions left regarding the business case for IRR. How is IRR an improved approach to waste management, from a triple bottom line perspective? What is the right scale for IRR, in terms of best return on investment? Where are the right opportunities for IRR, and which ones are better than others?
Chris Corps, Co-Founder, Fidelis Resources Group Inc.
James Mack, Acting Head, Climate Change Secretariat, Ministry of Environment, Province of British Columbia
Jon O’Riordan, President, Fidelis Resources Group Inc.
Alex Zimmerman, Past President, Canada Green Building Council
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Networking Break
10:45 a.m. – 12 p.m. Concurrent Panel Sessions BUILDING A REGIONAL ECONOMY: Leveraging our opportunities City regions are becoming an increasingly important economic player in the world economy. What role does metro Vancouver want to play amongst these newly emerging economic powerhouses? What advantages do we have and how do we use them to the utmost to build our regional economy in a sustainable way?
Dr. Roslyn Kunin, CM, Director, BC Office, Canada West Foundation
Bernard Magnan, Chief Economist and Assistant Managing Director, The Vancouver Board of Trade
Cameron Muir, Chief Economist, British Columbia Real Estate Association
Richard Wozny, Principal, Site Economics Ltd.
CRIME AND SECURITY: Myths and realities From robberies and violence on our streets to identity theft and credit card fraud, Metro Vancouverites are frustrated, frightened and furious about the growing impact of crime on their lives, families, businesses and communities. Whether the crime is visible to the eye or not, how do we stem the tide? And what are the myths and realities of crime and punishment?
Peter M. German, District Commander, Lower Mainland District, RCMP
Paul McEwen, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP
Dean Robinson, Inspector, District 4 Patrol, Operations Division, Vancouver Police Department
Luncheon Keynote “CONGESTION CHARGE” AND “LOW EMISSIONS ZONE”: Some lessons from London
We are unable to offer online registration for this event at this time. If you are still interested in attending this event, please call our Reservations Line at 604-641-1248 to see if we can accommodate you.
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