STAY TUNED FOR 2020 SPEAKERS!!
See below for 2019 speakers
The Sustainable stage
Join us on the Sustainable Stage where Green experts will be discussing topics ranging from renovating your home to buying a new or used electric vehicle, to living a greener lifestyle. We will also hear from SMARTNet Alliance Members on what they are doing to drive innovation and ultimately scale up the sustainable economy. Read below for more details on each panel.
A Panel Discussion with the Ottawa Central Federal Candidates lead by Robb Barnes, Executive Director of Ecology Ottawa
Robb Barnes is the Executive Director of Ecology Ottawa and is passionate about environmental and animal welfare issues, community organizing and urban design. Robb will be leading a panel discussion with the Ottawa Central Federal Candidates on how to accelerate the transition to Canada's sustainable economy. Confirmed candidates thus far are: Emilie Taman from the New Democratic Party, Carol Clemenhagen from the Progressive Conservatives and Angela Keller-Herzog from the Green Party of Canada. Join Robb as he asks the tough questions.
New & Used Electric Vehicles - A panel Discussion Moderated by the Electric Vehicle Council of Ottawa (EVCO)
This panel discussion will be lead by Mike Banks, Director at the Electric Vehicle Council of Ottawa (EVCO). It will cover purchasing new and used affordable electric vehicles. You will learn about options that many people do not know exist, including lower operating costs for electric vehicles. Mike will be joined by fellow members of EVCO, Darren Robichaud and Kathleen Eglin. We can't thank the Electric Vehicle Council of Ottawa enough for all their help on this event and we look forward to this lively panel on the Sustainable Stage.
Green Lifestyle – Your Life Matters - A panel Discussion Presented by EnviroCentre
In this panel, EnviroCentre brings together decades of expertise in sustainable living and community sustainability programming to discuss why Your Life Matters for building a sustainable city, country, and world. The panel will explore how local people can be forces for positive environmental change by addressing each of the following subjects: How Your Home Matters, Your Workplace Matters, and Your Transportation Matters. The panel will be moderated by EnviroCentre's Executive Director, Sharon Coward. Sharon will be joined by her colleagues, Jennifer Stelzer, Gregory Furlong, and Evan Harvey.
Sharon Coward is the Executive Director of EnviroCentre. and has worked for ten years in the community health and social service sectors. Sharon has an enduring interest in community development, having lived and worked in deliberate communities in four countries and three continents. Her work at EnviroCentre focuses on creative strategies to engage and catalyze local residents and businesses to significant climate action and drive a sustainable low-carbon transition. Sharon is an Ottawa native and is committed to supporting local initiatives work toward a collaborative vision for a sustainable National Capital Region.
Jennifer Stelzer brings expertise in sustainable transportation initiatives, community engagement and data development and analysis to the EnviroCentre team. Through her professional, volunteer and advocacy work, she has demonstrated her ability to plan and implement quality programs and initiatives that are fun, inclusive and engaging. Jennifer is an avid cyclist and her passion for encouraging sustainable transportation and lighter living is reflected in the work she does.
Gregory Furlong provides technical support at EnviroCentre for residential energy evaluations and Carbon 613. His commitment to energy conservation began in the 90s, promoting appropriate transport and cofounding the highest-rated bike repair shop in Toronto. Since 2001 he has worked in the residential field, assisting hundreds of householders and building owners in Ottawa. Greg is an engineering graduate, a Registered Energy Advisor, a Certified Engineering Technologist, and is qualified to deliver CHBA’s Net Zero Home Labelling Program.
Evan Harvey is the Member Engagement Coordinator for EnviroCentre’s Carbon 613 program and the main contact for Ottawa businesses that are serious about tracking, reducing, and publically reporting their GHG emissions and overall environmental impact. He strongly believes that positive, practical change depends on real data, and connecting people and businesses to share experiences and strategies for a more sustainable economy. Evan holds a BA Honours degree from Carleton University, and has worked with EnviroCentre since 2016.
Sharon Coward is the Executive Director of EnviroCentre. and has worked for ten years in the community health and social service sectors. Sharon has an enduring interest in community development, having lived and worked in deliberate communities in four countries and three continents. Her work at EnviroCentre focuses on creative strategies to engage and catalyze local residents and businesses to significant climate action and drive a sustainable low-carbon transition. Sharon is an Ottawa native and is committed to supporting local initiatives work toward a collaborative vision for a sustainable National Capital Region.
Jennifer Stelzer brings expertise in sustainable transportation initiatives, community engagement and data development and analysis to the EnviroCentre team. Through her professional, volunteer and advocacy work, she has demonstrated her ability to plan and implement quality programs and initiatives that are fun, inclusive and engaging. Jennifer is an avid cyclist and her passion for encouraging sustainable transportation and lighter living is reflected in the work she does.
Gregory Furlong provides technical support at EnviroCentre for residential energy evaluations and Carbon 613. His commitment to energy conservation began in the 90s, promoting appropriate transport and cofounding the highest-rated bike repair shop in Toronto. Since 2001 he has worked in the residential field, assisting hundreds of householders and building owners in Ottawa. Greg is an engineering graduate, a Registered Energy Advisor, a Certified Engineering Technologist, and is qualified to deliver CHBA’s Net Zero Home Labelling Program.
Evan Harvey is the Member Engagement Coordinator for EnviroCentre’s Carbon 613 program and the main contact for Ottawa businesses that are serious about tracking, reducing, and publically reporting their GHG emissions and overall environmental impact. He strongly believes that positive, practical change depends on real data, and connecting people and businesses to share experiences and strategies for a more sustainable economy. Evan holds a BA Honours degree from Carleton University, and has worked with EnviroCentre since 2016.
How to Renovate Sustainably - A Panel Moderated by Jason Burggraaf, Executive Director
Jason Burggraaf is the Executive Director of the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA), the proud voice for excellence in the home building community. Jason will be speaking with some of Ottawa’s greenest builders and SMARTNet Alliance members Casey Grey of The Conscious Builder, Herb Lagois of Lagois Design Build Renovate as well as GOHBA's President Roy Nandram of RND Construction. The panel will be discussing the most sustainable ways to renovate your house along with all the “green” practices that these companies employ.
Driving Innovation Inside the SMARTNet Alliance
This panel will focus on innovation from the Alliance members Moderated by Nick Hebb, Program Director at SMARTNet Alliance. Join us as we bring together a diverse group of members to discuss what each is doing in their industry to drive environmental solutions and ultimately scale up the sustainable economy. This panel will cap off our day and leave us something to ponder as we move forward. Panel participants: Steve Hubbard, Roderick Costrain and Diana Livshits.
Steve Hubbard is Director of Sales & Business Development and a Founding Partner of Lightenco, a fully turnkey lighting solutions company. He is currently the President of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America’s Ottawa Section and a member of the Ottawa Board of Trade’s Sustainability Committee. He has spearheaded subsidized LED lighting retrofits for community-based non-profits such as the YMCA-YWCA, Roger Neilson House, Cornerstone Women’s Shelter and Shepherds of Good Hope. Steve is a recipient of Ottawa’s Forty Under 40 Award and has been recognized via his efforts at Lightenco for various awards in entrepreneurialism.
Roderick Costrain is founder and CEO of Roco Industries. Their vision is to make various building materials with photovoltaics. With the release of their first product line, a Solar Siding product called SparClad, they are providing homeowners and builders a 2 in 1 product. It insulates the home and creates both thermal and electrical energy. Consumers now have an architecturally pleasing solution to achieve self-sustainable green energy for their homes.
Diana Livshits is President at Krumpers Solar Solutions. Their unique blinds are designed to keep the cold out and the warmth in during the winter and dual-functioned to keep the heat out and the cold in during the summer. They are a smart-tech, innovative and transparent window coverings that allow for year round temperature control and energy savings. Krumpers Solar Blinds helps reduce heating and cooling costs, and therefore energy consumption.. Not only has Diana helped to save her clients hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs, she has also helped to reduce their CO2 emissions at the same time.
Steve Hubbard is Director of Sales & Business Development and a Founding Partner of Lightenco, a fully turnkey lighting solutions company. He is currently the President of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America’s Ottawa Section and a member of the Ottawa Board of Trade’s Sustainability Committee. He has spearheaded subsidized LED lighting retrofits for community-based non-profits such as the YMCA-YWCA, Roger Neilson House, Cornerstone Women’s Shelter and Shepherds of Good Hope. Steve is a recipient of Ottawa’s Forty Under 40 Award and has been recognized via his efforts at Lightenco for various awards in entrepreneurialism.
Roderick Costrain is founder and CEO of Roco Industries. Their vision is to make various building materials with photovoltaics. With the release of their first product line, a Solar Siding product called SparClad, they are providing homeowners and builders a 2 in 1 product. It insulates the home and creates both thermal and electrical energy. Consumers now have an architecturally pleasing solution to achieve self-sustainable green energy for their homes.
Diana Livshits is President at Krumpers Solar Solutions. Their unique blinds are designed to keep the cold out and the warmth in during the winter and dual-functioned to keep the heat out and the cold in during the summer. They are a smart-tech, innovative and transparent window coverings that allow for year round temperature control and energy savings. Krumpers Solar Blinds helps reduce heating and cooling costs, and therefore energy consumption.. Not only has Diana helped to save her clients hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs, she has also helped to reduce their CO2 emissions at the same time.
The green chat box
We are excited to share with you the speakers and panelist on our Green Chat Box stage. Be sure to check out these incredible sessions throughout the day. Located at the back of the Horticulture you will find sessions on everything from generating your own electricity to zero waste living to urban heat islands and their impact they are having on you. We've also got a panel of Green Energy Doors Open hosts who will be chatting about their sites which will open the following weekend from September 26th through 29th. See below for details on each session.
Let’s Talk Electricity with Phil McNee of Demand Renewables
Learn how to become a producer instead of a renter of your own electricity in this exciting workshop. Lead by Phil McNee, CEO and Cofounder of Demand Renewables PerformaPV. Phil is a Product Knowledge specialist, and an expert in project management, the Ontario Energy Market, and commercial and residential solar. His passion is changing the future for the next generation. During Phil’s workshop you will learn all about electricity and how your residential supply is billed. Phil will also be discussing the future of electricity costs in Ontario. You will learn how to remove yourself from the equation by producing electricity to power your home and electric vehicles. Be sure to catch Phil at Green Chat Box right after our political panel.
Living the Zero Waste lifestyle with Valerie Leloup of Nu Grocery
Tired of the amount of solid waste that you produce in your daily life? Then you might be ready for a change! This session provides an introduction to the zero-waste lifestyle with practical tips to jumpstart your own journey towards zero waste. You will learn about the “5 Rs” and how to apply them to your daily life - at home and in your work environment. It also presents the environmental, financial and health benefits that come with a life where you own less, waste less and live more. This session will be lead by the founder and CEO of NuGrocery, Valerie Leloup. Valerie has over 10 years of corporate experience in the food industry as well as ten years of teaching experience with the Ottawa Carleton District School Board. Master’s in Business Administration, Mannheim University (Germany), Bachelor of Education, University of Ottawa. Two years of zero waste living, Bilingual English/French.
Urban Heat Islands and the Tree Canopy
The climate crisis is causing more unbearably hot days in summer with temperatures over 40 degrees and for urban dwellers this effect is exacerbated by the urban heat island effect. Impact is especially pronounced on lower income apartment dwellers without air conditioning and the aged who are less able to withstand heat. The urban tree canopy can play a significant role in “breaking” the heat island effect. This panel will discuss new research and City of Ottawa urban forest management strategies and plans in this regard. Lead by Dr Amitav Rath who is the CEO of Policy Research International, a consulting firm providing advice in climate change, sustainable development goals, policy and innovations to governments and agencies in Canada and internationally. Panelists include Nicholas Stow, an environmental planner with the Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development Department of the City of Ottawa; Velta Thomas, the Living City Program Manager at Ecology Ottawa, and Angela Keller Herzog, an economist and community sustainability advocate with a long history of ‘tree advocacy’ in the City of Ottawa.
Green Energy Doors Open Hosts
Join some of our Green Energy Doors Open(GEDO) hosts as they discuss their participation in the GEDO tours which run from September 26th through 29th. Learn more about amazing green energy projects in your community. Demonstration projects, microgrids, passive homes, and renewable energy projects will all be on display. We are excited to have long time GEDO hosts join our panel.
We will welcome: Chris Weissflog of EcoGen Energy & Build. Chris founded EcoGen Energy in 2006 to help people reduce carbon emissions. He is currently focused on providing custom sustainable buildings and energy systems solutions. Through EcoGen he is designing and building low to zero carbon homes using extremely high performance passive building design. EcoGen has 3 seperate homes on display during the GEDO weekend.
We also welcome Mark Rosen of Be Inc. Mark is a Certified Energy Evaluator (CEE), a licensed architect (OAA), and a recognized industry expert in the fields of building science and air tightness. Mark has been involved in the field of residential sustainability for over 10 years, and has consulted on, tested, and certified thousands of new homes in the Ottawa area under a variety of green labeling programs. Mark's Passive Home in Hintonburg will be open on Sunday September 29th from 10 am to 2 pm.
Joining them will be long time GEDO host Jane Wilson. Jane launched E. Jane Wilson, Architect in 2011. Though she has worked on a wide range of projects including apartment complexes, educational institutions, offices and farm buildings, Jane's practice focuses on the design of family homes, both renovations and new dwellings. Her home will be open every day during GEDO weekend.
To round out the panel we have local Micro-grid expert Art Hunter joining us. Art's passion is sharing his knowledge and expertise about microgrid homes. He is an active member of the Canadian Association for the Club of Rome, a non-governmental organization dedicated to intelligent debate and action on global issues.
We will welcome: Chris Weissflog of EcoGen Energy & Build. Chris founded EcoGen Energy in 2006 to help people reduce carbon emissions. He is currently focused on providing custom sustainable buildings and energy systems solutions. Through EcoGen he is designing and building low to zero carbon homes using extremely high performance passive building design. EcoGen has 3 seperate homes on display during the GEDO weekend.
We also welcome Mark Rosen of Be Inc. Mark is a Certified Energy Evaluator (CEE), a licensed architect (OAA), and a recognized industry expert in the fields of building science and air tightness. Mark has been involved in the field of residential sustainability for over 10 years, and has consulted on, tested, and certified thousands of new homes in the Ottawa area under a variety of green labeling programs. Mark's Passive Home in Hintonburg will be open on Sunday September 29th from 10 am to 2 pm.
Joining them will be long time GEDO host Jane Wilson. Jane launched E. Jane Wilson, Architect in 2011. Though she has worked on a wide range of projects including apartment complexes, educational institutions, offices and farm buildings, Jane's practice focuses on the design of family homes, both renovations and new dwellings. Her home will be open every day during GEDO weekend.
To round out the panel we have local Micro-grid expert Art Hunter joining us. Art's passion is sharing his knowledge and expertise about microgrid homes. He is an active member of the Canadian Association for the Club of Rome, a non-governmental organization dedicated to intelligent debate and action on global issues.
Ask the expert sessions
As if that weren't enough we've also got some incredible "Green Experts" lined up who will be speaking in our brand new expert area located inside the Horticulture Building. Be sure to sign up for these sessions when you register as space is limited.
Home Energy Innovation with William Nuttle
Home owners can increase energy efficiency and drastically reduce the carbon footprint of older homes using existing technologies. William Nuttle, a long-time resident of the Glebe, heat-pump owner, and an active member of the Glebe Community Association's Environment Committee will be discussing what is possible in a typical Glebe row house built around 1920. Emerging new technologies allow home owners to comprehensively manage energy inputs from several different sources and achieve even greater efficiencies. Neighboring homes linked through small-scale smart grids and district energy arrangements can maximize the use of locally-produced renewable energy. This presentation will show what is possible with existing technology in a typical row house built around 1920. Discussion will explore opportunities for groups of home owners to work together to share resources and increase the sustainability of existing neighborhoods.
Tankless Water Heaters: Myths vs Reality
Tankless water heaters may be the norm in Europe but have only really began hitting the Canadian market hard over the last decade. It had been a challenge adapting this technology to our colder climate but the technology has finally caught up with our needs. Learn more about how tankless works, what myths are true and which aren’t and how tankless affects the environment in this educational presentation followed by answers to your questions. This session will be lead by Tim Mahoney, who is a 3rd generation HVAC tradesman who’s grandfather started in the industry back in the late 1920’s. As a result Tim grew up in the trade and has personally seen drastic changes in the industry. His passion for the trade has led him to continue learning as new technology became available and as the trade changed and evolved. Specializing in residential HVAC solutions today he works as an expert estimator for Francis Plumbing & Heating ClimateCare.
Abundant Solar Energy with Matthew Britt
Join SWITCH Energy's Matthew Britt for a session about to abundant solar energy and how you can unlock its power in your home or business. Co-founder and CEO Matthew Britt is an experienced entrepreneur who started several businesses prior to Switch Energy. After bringing a solar referral company called Powur to Canada in early 2017, Matt found that there was a need for home and business owners to take control of their energy. Matt’s vision and natural leadership have lead Switch Energy to where it is today, and will guide it into the future. Be sure to make Matt's informative session in our "Ask The Expert" section.