This fall, the Toronto International Film Festival marked its 50th anniversary, a milestone that celebrates not only great storytelling, but the powerful economic engine behind it. In this special #TIFF50 conversation, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey joins Jennifer van der Valk, the Toronto Region Board of Trade’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, to reflect on how a local showcase for Canadian filmmakers became a global industry hub. From $240 million in annual impact to t...

Weeks before delivering Ontario’s Fall Economic Statement, the province’s Finance Minister joined the Board's President and CEO, Giles Gherson, for a timely and candid conversation about how Ontario is navigating global trade tensions and economic uncertainty. From record infrastructure investments to interprovincial trade and the race to lead in nuclear innovation, the Minister outlined a vision of nation building at speed; built on fiscal discipline, domestic strength, and long-term growth.

As Ontario embarks on some of the largest infrastructure and mining investments in its history, one truth stands out: success depends on Indigenous partnership. In this episode, we mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by focusing on the critical role Indigenous communities play in shaping Ontario’s economic future. Michael Fox, President of Indigenous Community Engagement, moderates a powerful discussion with Chief Cornelius Wabasse of the Webequie First Nation and The Honourabl...

Ontario and Alberta, two of Canada’s largest economies, are moving past old rivalries to forge a stronger economic partnership. With new agreements in place, the provinces are working to break down trade barriers, recognize credentials across borders, and collaborate on energy, infrastructure, and investment. In this episode, Alberta’s senior representative in Ottawa, James Carpenter, joins us to discuss what this new chapter means for businesses, workers, and Canada’s competitiveness on the ...

In this episode, we explore how Toronto’s 10-kilometre waterfront can transform the city from being a city on a lake to a true Waterfront City. Achieving this vision means striking the right balance between housing, employment lands, culture, and industry. The conversation, hosted by our President & CEO Giles Gherson, touches on: How flood protection is unlocking new neighbourhoodsWhy transit investments like East Harbour and marine mobility are game changersHow mixed-use planning, cultur...

In this episode of Toronto Talks, Deb Pimentel, President of IBM Canada joins us to share how IBM is helping Canadian companies unlock real productivity gains through AI. From a storied past in hardware to becoming a global leader in hybrid cloud and AI, IBM’s transformation is a case study in strategic reinvention. She outlines how IBM is applying AI internally to improve its own productivity and how it’s helping clients do the same. If you want to understand what it actually takes to adopt ...

Entrepreneurship takes resilience. For Theresa Bailey, it also took Play-Doh. In this episode we sit down with Theresa, founder of Starfish Synergies Inc. and winner of this year’s Export Plan of the Year Award from the World Trade Centre Toronto. She shares how a cancelled contract during the pandemic sparked an unexpected pivot, from team-building workshops to a North American licensing deal with Hasbro. Theresa talks with World Trade Centre Toronto’s VP Jon Worren about starting a business...

Canada sits on 150 years of natural gas reserves, yet we watched helplessly as Europe begged for energy we couldn't deliver. In this episode, Michele Harradence, Executive Vice President and President of Gas Distribution and Storage at Enbridge, reveals how Canada's energy infrastructure challenges are costing us billions and why the time to act is now. Michele and the Board's President and CEO, Giles Gherson explore: How Enbridge's $350 million PREP project unlocked $4.5 billion in pot...

At the Toronto Region Board of Trade’s 2025 Annual Lunch, the message was clear: it’s time to create the conditions for growth. This episode brings you into the room as we launched our bold new campaign, Stronger Starts Here, and heard directly from Mayor Olivia Chow about how Toronto is tackling congestion, accelerating housing, and preparing for the future. In conversation with our president and CEO, Giles Gherson, Mayor Chow lays out her vision for a more affordable, connect...

Canada’s clean energy future depends on more than just minerals, it needs meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities. In this episode, Tabatha Bull, President and CEO of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, explains why Indigenous-led innovation is essential to the success of Canada’s energy transition and what needs to change for that potential to be fully realized. The Board's SVP of Marketing and Communications, Jennifer van der Valk, and Tabatha touch on: Why Indig...

In this episode of Toronto Talks, Giles Gherson sits down with Gordon McCauley, President and CEO of AdMare BioInnovations, to explore what it will take to turn the Toronto Region into a global life sciences powerhouse. From talent gaps and capital constraints to scaling barriers and regulatory inefficiencies, they get candid about the roadblocks—and how to overcome them. This conversation coincides with the release of the Board's new report, The Winning Formula: A Playbook for Ontario’s Life...

Downsview is no longer just a part of Toronto’s past, it’s about to define the city’s future. In this episode, Derek Goring, CEO of Northcrest Developments and Chair of the Business Council of Toronto’s Climate and Energy Transition Council, joins Giles Gherson to reveal how the YZD project will transform 370 acres of land into seven new, complete communities. Hear how Northcrest is creating a connected, climate-smart, and vibrant destination with space for thousands of residents and jobs, an...

As Toronto City Council prepares to debate the Board's Congestion Action Plan, business leaders are urging immediate action. In this episode, Sal Iacono, President and CEO of Cadillac Fairview and a member of the Board’s Congestion Governing Council, shares real-world examples of how gridlock is hurting business and why waiting to act is no longer an option.

The TTC’s interim CEO, Greg Percy, joins our President and CEO Giles Gherson to talk about how we restore public confidence, build a stronger customer experience, and rethink the financial model that powers our city’s transit. This episode was recorded during the Board's 10th Annual Transportation Symposium: From Gridlock to Growth.

What takes a supercomputer 7 million years, Christian Weedbrook’s Toronto-based quantum computer did in just two minutes. Christian Weedbrook, CEO and founder of Xanadu, sits down to explain quantum computing in plain English and why it matters for industries like health care and clean tech, what makes Toronto a global hub for talent, and why this moment is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Canada to lead.

Canada is a leader in AI research, but are we applying that technology to boost our own industries? Greta Cutulenco, CEO and co-founder of Acerta Analytics, joins us to discuss how we need to do a better job using AI to transform this country’s manufacturing sector. This episode is being released shortly after International Women’s Day, highlighting a trailblazer shaping our economy. As a female founder in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Greta shares her perspective on leadership, br...

Canada is facing a new trade war, and businesses are bracing for uncertainty. How can we defend our economic interests, secure investment, and navigate the unpredictability of U.S. trade policies? In this episode, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, joins Toronto’s business leaders for a frank conversation on the future of trade, the impact of tariffs, and what Canadian businesses must do to stay competitive.

From electrification to Industry 4.0, Ontario’s manufacturing sector is undergoing a seismic shift. Frank Voss, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, shares how innovation in technology, workforce development, and global partnerships is reshaping the industry. This conversation was recorded during the Board's Manufacturing Symposium in October.

Toronto’s gridlock has reached crisis levels. To get our region moving again, the Board is preparing to release a bold Congestion Action Plan. John Kiru, Executive Director of the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas, joins our President and CEO, Giles Gherson to discuss how better coordination, smarter policies, and decisive action can finally get Toronto moving.

Canada’s productivity crisis is catching up to us. Giles Gherson and Jon Ramscar, CEO of CBRE Canada, unpack why the Toronto region is falling behind and what it will take to turn things around. From unlocking employment lands to cutting red tape, discover actionable solutions to boost economic growth and reclaim our competitive edge.