Ready Conference 2025

From January 28 to 30, join emergency management partners and critical stakeholders from across Canada for discussions on strengthening Canada's preparedness in response to rising climate events.

Please find more details about this 3-day event below, along with a selection of images from last year's event.

January 28, 2025

Welcome Social 

Location: Lord Elgin Hotel, Trillium Room - 100 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON, K1P 5K8, Canada

Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM EST

January 29, 2025

Conference

Location: O’Borne Room, National Arts Centre - 53 Elgin Street Ottawa, ON, K1P 5W1, Canada

Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM EST

View the agenda as a PDF

8:00 - 8:45	Doors open for registration.  Coffee and networking.
9:00 - 9:15	Welcome Introduction to the Day – Conference Co-Chairs Amy Avis and Katie Kallio Welcome - Conrad Sauve, CEO, Canadian Red Cross
9:15 - 9:30	Opening Remarks The Honourable Harjit Sajjan, Minister for Emergency Preparedness
9:30 - 10:00	Reflections on Jasper - Impacts to Recovery Bill Given, Chief Administrative Officer, Municipality of Jasper
10:00-11:00	Panel: Reflections on Emergency Management in Canada Exploring strengths and gaps in Canada’s readiness to emergencies. Moderator: Dick Fadden, Former Security Advisor to the Prime Minister (moderator) Participants include: MGen Simon Bernard, Deputy Commander, CJOC, Canadian Armed Forces Lori-Anne Companion, Former lead for Hurricane Fiona, Newfoundland Sandra McKenzie, Deputy Minister, Department of Emergency Management, Nova Scotia Arjun Vinodrai, Senior Director, Programs and Policy, Public Safety Canada
11:00- 11:15	Break
11:15 - 12:15	Panel: Pandemic Preparedness and Public Health Public health risks in Canada with a focus on pandemic preparedness. Moderator: Sarah Sargent, Vice-President, Risk Reduction Programs, CRC Participants include: Kerry Robinson, VP Infectious Disease, Public Health Agency of Canada Dr. Joanne Liu, Professor McGill University McGill University Dr. Paul Hebert, CEO Canadian Institute on Health Research Dr. Ayham Alomari, Senior Director, Emergency Health, Canadian Red Cross
12:15 - 1:15	Networking Lunch
1:15 - 2:25	Panel: Community Impacts Recovery to Resilience Community and long-term impacts and barriers to resilience. Participants include: Mitzie Hunter, CEO, Canadian Women’s Foundation Syzan Talo, Managing Director, Guy Carpenter Judy Shum, National Director, 211 and Community Partnerships, United Way Centraide Canada Ross Penner, Executive Director Mennonite Disaster Service  Barbara Cartwright, CEO, Humane Canada
2:25 - 2:45	Break
2:45 - 3:45	Panel: Advancing Indigenous Climate Leadership Enhancing Preparedness, Collaboration, and Resilience in the Face of Emergencies. Participants include: Erin Myers, Director of Environment, Métis National Council Shelley Cardinal, Senior Director of Indigenous Relations, Canadian Red Cross Dr. Graeme Reed – Director, Rights and Policy Branch, Assembly of First Nations Greg Blackjack – Director - Community Services | Emergency Measures Organization, Government of Yukon
3:45 - 4:00	Closing Reflections
4:00	End of Day

 

January 30, 2025 

Partner Workshop 

Location: National Arts Center 

Time: 
Doors open at 8:00 AM 
Workshop 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

All participants from Day 1 are invited to engage in the Day 2 Workshop which will be more discussion based.

A day of dialogue and discussion on how we can elevate our collective readiness and resilience. Partners will engage on topics in a workshop approach - such as the long road to recovery, civilian response efforts and volunteerism and equity in response.