This third annual conference brings together industry leaders shaping Canada’s electric vehicle supply chain and advanced manufacturing.
“One of the most important conferences throughout the year… a must-attend”
Hon. Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Government of Ontario
2025 Speakers
Flavio Volpe
President
Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association
Collin Shaw
President
MEMA, The Vehicle Suppliers Association
Francisco N. González Díaz
Executive President
Industria Nacional de Autopartes, A.C.
Prof. Linda Nazar
University Professor, Canada Research Chair in Solid State Energy Materials
University of Waterloo
Hon. Vic Fedeli
Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
Government of Ontario
Jayson Myers
Chief Executive Officer
NGen Next Generation Manufacturing Canada
Sarah Goldfeder
Director, Government Relations and Corporate Affairs
General Motors
Bradley Harker
Principal Commercial Officer
U.S. Consulate General Toronto
Désirée Tremblay
Manager Innovation and Finance Strategy
Dana Canada
John Laughlin
Chief Technology Officer
Next Generation Manufacturing Canada
Ibrahim Yimer
Vice President , Transportation & Manufacturing Division
National Research Council
Sheri Williams
Industry X Lead
Accenture Canada
Maciej Hryniewicki
Canada Data & AI Lead for Utilities
Accenture Canada
Caroline Olsen
R&D Director, NAM
SGS Canada Inc. (Québec)
Jeff Gaulin
General Manager, Corporate Affairs – Canada, U.S., U.K., E.U.
Vale Base Metals
Kimberly Berman
Principal Consultant – Energy Transition Metals and Technology Specialist
SFA Oxford
Eddy Zuppel
Program Director (acting), e-Auto
National Research Council
Dan Blondal
Chief Executive Officer
Nano One Materials Corp.
Norman Marks
Global Vice President – Automotive Industry
NVIDIA
Tom Schnekenburger
Director, Research Partnerships
University of Windsor
Paulina Karwowska-Desaulniers
Executive Director
SmartTO
Brett McQueen
Director of Innovation, North America
Linamar Corporation
Ali Emadi
Professor and Canada Excellence Research Chair Laureate
McMaster Automotive Resource Centre (MARC), McMaster University
Marilyn Spink
Director, Operations
Canadian Critical Minerals & Materials Alliance
Matthew Fortier
Chief Executive Officer
Accelerate ZEV
Emma Jarratt
Executive Editor
Electric Autonomy
David Wilson
Vice President and CEO
Siemens Digital Industries Software
Nino Di Cara
Founder & President
Electric Autonomy
More speakers to be announced soon.
Conference program: Navigating the road ahead
Canada’s electric vehicle and battery supply chain is at a critical juncture. With shifting dynamics in the North American market, including potential U.S. policy changes following the election of the new administration, the path forward demands collaboration and a focus on long-term impact.
Securing Canada’s EV leadership requires that we maintain momentum and take this opportunity to craft a cohesive ecosystem that can withstand external pressures while capitalizing on our unique strengths. From critical minerals to battery production, advanced manufacturing, and EV assembly, the future of this industry depends on building partnerships and fostering innovation across the value chain.
At the EV Innovation & Technology Conference 2025, Canada’s industry leaders will come together to turn challenges into opportunities and ensure sector resilience.
This is the moment to define Canada’s future in electrification. Be part of it.
Agenda
| 7:45am | Registration and Breakfast |
| 8:45am | Conference Begins Welcome, Land Acknowledgement and Introductions Speakers: • Nino Di Cara, Founder & President, Electric Autonomy Canada • Paulina Karwowska-Desaulniers, Executive Director, SmartTO • John Laughlin, Chief Technology Officer, Next Generation Manufacturing Canada |
| 9:05am | Opening Keynote To be announced |
| 9:25am | Panel: U.S., Mexico and Canada: EV Manufacturing in the Time of Trump Canada’s electric vehicle supply chain and manufacturing sector is reliant on deep integration with the U.S. and Mexico. With the Trump administration reshaping trade policy and a pivotal Canadian election on the horizon, what’s next for the North American automotive landscape? This panel will explore critical questions around import tariffs, the renegotiation of the USMCA, protectionist measures, and their impact on competitiveness. Panelists will discuss strategies for companies and governments to navigate these shifting dynamics in a rapidly evolving political climate. Speakers: • Flavio Volpe, President, Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association • Collin Shaw, President, MEMA, The Vehicle Suppliers Association • Francisco N. González Díaz, Executive President, Industria Nacional de Autopartes, A.C. • Emma Jarratt, Executive Editor, Electric Autonomy (Moderator) |
| 10:30am | Networking Coffee Break |
| 11:00am | Presentation: The United States Defense Industrial Base Consortium and Its Role in Securing the North American Critical Minerals Supply Chain This session will focus on how the U.S. Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC) is expanding the funding landscape to support the mining, processing, and development of critical minerals production in Canada and the United States. Learn about the process for applying for DIPC grants, leveraging public-private partnerships in the critical minerals space, and investment incentives designed to bolster the critical minerals supply chain, reduce reliance on foreign sources, and enhance North America’s competitive edge. Speaker: • Bradley Harker, Principal Commercial Officer, U.S. Consulate General Toronto |
| 11:30am | Fireside Chat: With the Hon. Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade for the Government of Ontario A thoughtful, in-depth conversation about Ontario’s role in the EV sector and international supply chains and an opportunity to understand how the Ministry is advocating for the province’s auto industry on the ground in Washington, D.C. Speakers: • Hon. Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade for the Government of Ontario • Jayson Myers, Chief Executive Officer, NGen Next Generation Manufacturing Canada |
| 12:00pm | Lunch |
| 1:00pm | Presentation: Understanding the opportunities of the new e-Auto Challenge program This presentation will help existing and new Canadian suppliers in the automotive industry understand the opportunities for collaborative partnerships through the e-Auto Challenge program. The program is designed to help de-risk and commercialize novel electric vehicle technologies. • Eddy Zuppel, Program Director (acting), e-Auto, National Research Council Canada |
| 1:15pm | Panel: Future-Proofing Canada’s EV Innovation Ecosystem: Strategies for Long-Term Global Competitiveness Canada has a strong history of driving innovation across the EV automotive supply chain, but maintaining leadership in a rapidly evolving global landscape requires bold action. This panel will explore how to accelerate domestic R&D, foster collaboration between industry and academia, and ensure long-term Canadian leadership in the ecosystem. Speakers: • Désirée Tremblay, Manager Innovation and Finance Strategy, Dana Canada • Brett McQueen, Director of Innovation, North America, Linamar Corporation • Dan Blondal, Chief Executive Officer, Nano One Materials Corp. • Ali Emadi, Professor and Canada Excellence Research Chair Laureate, McMaster University / McMaster Automotive Resource Centre (MARC) • Tom Schnekenburger, Director, Research Partnerships, University of Windsor • Ibrahim Yimer, Vice President, Transportation & Manufacturing Division, National Research Council (Moderator) |
| 2:00pm | Presentation: The Future of EV Batteries: From Lithium-Ion to Solid-State Innovation Battery technology is at a pivotal moment of transformation, with new advancements promising to redefine the automotive landscape. In this session, Professor Linda Nazar, a leading expert in battery materials, will provide an overview of the current state of lithium-ion batteries and the emerging battery breakthroughs on the horizon, including solid-state technologies. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how these innovations could impact EV manufacturing, performance and adoption in the years to come. • Prof. Linda Nazar, University Professor, Canada Research Chair in Solid State Energy Materials, University of Waterloo |
| 2:15pm | Networking Coffee Break |
| 2:45pm | Panel: Artificial Intelligence, Digital Twins and Advanced Robotics: Building the Factory Floor of the Future The rapid advancement of Generative AI, digital twins, and advanced robotics is revolutionizing how EVs are designed and manufactured. How are these technologies reshaping factory floors and accelerating the EV transition? This panel will explore real-world applications of GenAI in the EV sector, highlight its role in improving competitiveness, and discuss future innovations. Attendees will gain actionable insights from leaders in AI technology development and manufacturing innovation on how to harness these tools for long-term success. Speakers: • Norman Marks, Global Vice President – Automotive Industry, NVIDIA • David Wilson, Vice President and CEO, Siemens Industries Software • Maciej Hryniewicki, Canada Data & AI Lead for Utilities, Accenture • Sheri Williams, Industry X Lead, Accenture (Moderator) |
| 3:30pm | Panel: Riding the Waves of EV Supply Chain Volatility for Critical Minerals The EV supply chain faces mounting challenges: from geopolitical instability and fluctuating demand to the complexities of scaling projects amid uncertain growth. This panel will examine strategies to accelerate the development of resilient supply chain projects, mitigate risks and enhance the value of Canada’s ethical and sustainable practices in the global marketplace. Speakers: • Sarah Goldfeder, Director, Government Relations and Corporate Affairs, General Motors • Kimberly Berman, Principal Consultant – Energy Transition Metals and Technology Specialist, SFA Oxford • Jeff Gaulin, General Manager, Corporate Affairs – Canada, U.S., U.K., E.U., Vale Base Metals • Caroline Olsen, Research & Development Director, SGS Canada Inc. • Marilyn Spink, Director, Operations, Canadian Critical Minerals & Materials Alliance (Moderator) |
| 4:15pm | Closing Keynote To be announced |
| 5:00pm-7:00pm | Cocktail Reception |
Special feature: Visit the SmartTO booth at the conference to sign up for special lab tours of the Lassonde School of Engineering state-of-the-art-facilities including the Power Electronics Laboratory for Sustainable Energy Research, Smart Grid Lab, Resilient Intelligent Sustainable Energy Lab and novel tools for EV optimization.
Who should attend?
- Automotive industry professionals
- Researchers and innovators in the electric vehicle sector
- Strategic investors
- Government and policymakers
Tickets are limited.
Media attendance
Media professionals who would like to report on the event may apply to attend by sending a request to evit@electricautonomy.com
- Understand the latest innovations across the EV value chain
- Meet Canadian companies working on cutting-edge technology
- Collaborate to develop a national capability for advanced manufacturing
Date: Thursday February 6, 2025
Venue: York University
Second Student Centre, Second Floor, 15 Library Lane, North York, ON M3J 2S5
This LEED gold certified building features modern conference facilities. Register for transit and on-site parking details.
Hotel Accommodation
Attendees have access to a special rate at Courtyard by Marriott Toronto Vaughan, an 8-minute drive away. Rooms are available for $209 CAD per night (plus applicable taxes) until January 19, 2025, or until our block sells out. Book here.
Your one-day conference pass includes access to all speaker sessions, lunch, coffee breaks and a networking cocktail reception in the evening.
Conference pass: $409
Sponsorship packages are available for industry-relevant organizations.
Please contact us for more information.
The EV Innovation & Technology Conference is brought to you in partnership with NGen
NGen is the industry-led, non-profit organization leading Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster for Advanced Manufacturing. It is founded on the principle that digital transformation in advanced manufacturing will enrich the lives of Canadians, delivering better products and good jobs while generating the economic growth essential to a better future.
The EV Innovation & Technology Conference is powered by Electric Autonomy
Electric Autonomy is an independent media and events company reporting on the transition to zero emission vehicles and autonomous mobility. Its mission is to accelerate change by bringing together thought leaders across industry, government and research through editorial, events, education and other innovative programming.
