2.6 – Top People to Meet
- These individuals are recommended based on their leadership in western Canada on issues of strategic importance to WD. Meetings would present opportunities to build relationships and learn about key challenges facing their sectors or communities, emerging opportunities, and areas of shared priority.
- Additional information is available, and WD can assist with arranging meetings with these or other individuals.
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Jim MacMillan – Chair, Community Futures Pan West Network Inc. & Community Futures Manitoba
The Community Futures Pan West Network Inc. represents the 90 Community Futures (CF) Organizations in the West that support entrepreneurs, businesses and communities outside of major urban areas to reach their full potential. The CF Pan West is comprised of a volunteer board member from each of the four provincial CF associations.
WD administers this national program in the West, and provides annual funding to the CF Pan West Network, the four provincial CF Associations, and the CF organizations to support their operations.
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Minister Bruce Ralston – British Columbia Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology
The British Columbia Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology (BC JTT) is the Province of British Columbia’s lead innovation and economic development ministry.
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Greg D’Avignon – President and CEO, Business Council of British Columbia
The Business Council of British Columbia (BCBC) represents approximately 250 businesses in the province. Membership consists of BC’s top employers, including companies from all of BC’s major economic sectors. Collectively, they are responsible for roughly one quarter of all jobs in BC. BCBC is a leading convenor in BC, and WD frequently participates in the discussions and initiatives they spearhead.
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Regional Chief Terry Teegee – British Columbia Association of First Nations
The British Columbia Association of First Nations (BCAFN) represents the 203 First Nations in British Columbia. It is one of three organizations that constitute the First Nations Leadership Council, the other two being the First Nations Summit and the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs. BCAFN representation is inclusive and extends to First Nations covered by modern and historic treaties, as well as First Nations not covered by treaty.
Indigenous communities and organizations in BC are important partners in economic development activities in the province, across all regions and economic sectors.
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Tanya Fir – Alberta Minister of Economic Development, Trade, and Tourism
As Minister of Economic Development, Trade, and Tourism, Minister Fir is responsible for the Alberta government’s economic development efforts, support to businesses and investors, and promotion of Alberta’s tourism industry. Areas of mutual interest include tourism, innovation, trade diversification, and investment attraction.
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Scott Gravelle – CEO & CTO of ATTAbotics
Calgary-based ATTAbotics is the world’s first 3D robotics supply chain system for modern commerce. The company’s vision is to accelerate the shipping and delivery process by reinventing the supply chain to be more efficient, agile and simple through the use of its robotics technology. Scott has brought together a team of capable roboticists, engineers, technicians, business management executives and operational staff to move ATTAbotics forward. To date, the company has raised $32.7 million in capital and has grown to over 200 staff. They are currently providing their warehouse solutions to Nordstroms, and are in negotiations to do the same with several other major retail outlets. Scott brings over 25 years of experience as an innovator in the integration and implementation of digital manufacturing technologies, as well as a machine designer and entrepreneur.
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Jason Pincock – Board Chair, Health City
The City of Edmonton’s Health City is an arms-length economic development initiative that accelerates health innovation in Edmonton and the province. Health City is a key partner in Alberta’s emerging Health Data Analytics Cluster supported by WD. Alberta has specialized assets and capabilities related to health data analytics, including fully integrated province-wide health data, and advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities located in Edmonton. This cluster represents an opportunity for continued diversification of Alberta’s economy, but further efforts are required to bolster its growth and success. Mr. Pincock also has significant industry expertise as the CEO of Dynalife Diagnostics, one of Alberta’s largest private healthcare organizations providing lab services to the provincial health system.
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Peter Tertzakian – Executive Director, Arc Energy Research Institute
Mr. Tertzakian is one of Alberta’s top thought leaders. He is an economist, investment strategist, advisor, author, and leading commentator on energy issues in Alberta. He has acute insights into Alberta’s complex energy landscape and is an important voice regarding how the industry needs to adapt to stay competitive in an environment that is transitioning towards sustainable energy systems.
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Frank Hart – Chairperson, Protein Industries Canada (Saskatchewan)
Frank Hart is Managing Director of TD Greystone Asset Management. He is the Board Chair for Protein Industries Canada and Economic Development Regina.
Protein Industries Canada (PIC) is one of five Superclusters established under the Innovation Superclusters Initiative. PIC works with industry partners to create co-investment projects that could transform the agriculture and food production sector. The continued development of PIC will position Canada as a global leader in the production of plant-based proteins.
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The Honourable Ralph Goodale, former Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
The Honourable Ralph Goodale has been a long-time advocate of expanding irrigation in Saskatchewan, as well as a strong supporter of measures to adapt to environmental changes and stresses, including community drought and flood-proofing. He is a proponent of building a canal from Lake Diefenbaker to Buffalo Pound Lake to support irrigation and industrial development. The proposed canal could improve water quality for the Cities of Moose Jaw and Regina. He was instrumental in advocating for the establishment of a Canada Water Agency, which was a commitment in the 2019 Liberal Platform.
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Dr. Jay Famiglietti, Director of the Global Institute for Water Security (Saskatchewan)
Dr. Famiglietti holds the Canada 150 Research Chair in Hydrology and is the Executive Director of the Global Institute of Water Security. He regularly advises government on water availability and water security issues.
The University of Saskatchewan’s Global Institute for Water Security (GIWS) is the top water resources research institute in Canada. It is also one of the world’s most advanced cold region hydrology centres. Among other things, GIWS is dedicated to protecting the world’s freshwater resources needed for food production, and mitigating the risk of water-related disasters such as floods, droughts, and fires.
GIWS researchers and Dr. Famiglietti are advising WD on the development of the Prairie Water and Land Management Strategy, including on advancement of a potential pilot infrastructure project in southern Saskatchewan.
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The Honourable Greg Ottenbreit – Saskatchewan Minister of Highways and Infrastructure, and Lyle Stewart, Legislative Secretary To the Minister Responsible For the Water Security Agency (WSA)
Minister Ottenbreit was recently appointed as Minister of Highways and Infrastructure. He is also the Minister responsible for the WSA – the institution primarily responsible for water management in the province, including the operations of Lake Diefenbaker. Lyle Stewart was recently appointed as Legislative Secretary to the Minister responsible for the WSA. Mr. Stewart has previously served as Saskatchewan’s Minister of Agriculture.
The Government of Saskatchewan is a critical partner for WD in advancing the Prairie Water and Land Management Strategy and a potential pilot infrastructure project to construct a new 90 km canal for moving water from Lake Diefenbaker to Buffalo Pound Lake in southern Saskatchewan.
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Murad Al-Katib – President and CEO, AGT Food and Ingredients Inc. and Arctic Gateway Group (Saskatchewan and Manitoba)
Murad Al-Katib interacts with WD in several capacities: President and CEO of AGT Food and Ingredients Inc. (AGT Foods); CEO of the Arctic Gateway Group Limited Partnership (AGG); and, Chair of the Government of Canada’s Economic Strategy Table for Agri-Food. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Economic Development Regina, Protein Industries Canada, Invest in Canada, and the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.
AGT Foods supplies agriculture products such as pulses, lentils, and other food ingredients to domestic and export markets. It has 41 manufacturing facilities around the globe.
AGG is a partnership between First Nations, Northern communities, Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, and AGT Foods. AGG owns and operates the Port of Churchill, the Hudson Bay Rail line, the Churchill Marine Tank Farm, and the Arctic Gateway Freight Services Company. WD played a key role in brokering the sale of these assets to AGG and remains engaged with Mr. Al-Katib as he advocates for further development of the rail line and port. He has appeared before multiple Parliamentary Standing Committees in the past year to outline AGG’s vision of northern Manitoba as a key transportation and export hub.
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Don Leitch – President and CEO, The Business Council of Manitoba
The Business Council of Manitoba (BCM) is composed of a group of CEOs representing 69 businesses in the province. Combined, these companies generate over $35 billion in annual revenue and employ over 55,000 Manitobans. BCM researches and advocates to make Manitoba a preferred place to live, work, and invest.
WD recently funded a BCM initiative called Horizon Manitoba. It is an industry-academia collaboration project that will examine talent needs and develop a strategy to address identified gaps. This initiative helps to leverage the Skills pillar under Grow West.
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Dr. Annette Trimbee – President and Vice Chancellor, University of Winnipeg
Dr. Annette Trimbee became President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Winnipeg (UWinnipeg) in 2014.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report identified a role for Canada’s post-secondary institutions in advancing Canadian reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. UWinnipeg was the first university in Canada to institute an Indigenous course requirement for all undergraduate students, teaching an understanding of Indigenous perspectives and worldviews. Thirteen percent of first-year undergraduate students at UWinnipeg self-identify as Indigenous, which is one of the strongest Indigenous participation rates among Canadian universities.
Dr. Trimbee sits on the Board of Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative (EMILI), which is a non-profit organization that helps accelerate the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning in Manitoba. WD recently approved funding for a digital agriculture project to be carried out by UWinnipeg and EMILI. The University is also keenly interested in collaborating with other post-secondary institutions on machine learning and artificial intelligence initiatives.
UWinnipeg collaborates with the Business Council of Manitoba (BCM) on the WD-funded Horizon Manitoba initiative. Meeting with Dr. Trimbee would provide a post-secondary perspective on the Horizon Manitoba project, which supports industry-academia collaboration.
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