Listen to our panelists Ana Bailão from Dream, Steven Paynter from Gensler, and Aidan Grove-White and Mary Ellen Bench from StrategyCorp, discuss how building conversion works, what needs to happen for these kinds of projects to move forward, the roadblocks that can hinder the reorganization of space, and how different levels of government can help.

On June 26, 2023, Torontonians elected Olivia Chow as their next Mayor in a by-election. As it is often the case when a new mayor comes into office, there was some uncertainty around how Olivia Chow would govern and what the relationship with other levels of government would look like.

A lot has happened in Toronto city politics since the election. The City reached a New Deal with the Government of Ontario and Council passed the Mayor’s first budget. To look back on the last year and discuss what comes next in Toronto, Aidan Grove-White, Fraser Macdonald and Marco Bianchi from StrategyCorp join the podcast

Satellites play an increasing role in enabling the deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions in some parts of Canada. Innovation in low earth orbit (LEO) satellites reminds us that satellite technology is evolving rapidly.

Jason Trembley, Manal Hauenstein and Dennis Béland from Terrestar Solutions join the podcast to discuss the emergence of LEO satellites and what it means for the regulatory regime. With an increasing number of satellites in orbit, we explore how industry and governments can work together to limit risks associated with satellite collisions and the proliferation of space debris. Our guests also highlight interesting IoT use cases powered by satellites.

Despite Bitcoin having been around since 2009, crypto and blockchain remain relatively misunderstood. Several myths persist around what the technology is and is not. Many also underappreciate the role of crypto and its innovation potential. As crypto attracts more attention and users, a variety of regulatory frameworks are emerging around the world.

To help us understand the world of blockchain, web3 and crypto, we are joined by Justin Wales, SVP and Head of Legal for the Americas at crypto.com. He is the author of a new book titled The Crypto Legal Handbook: A Guide to the Laws of Crypto, Web3, and the Decentralized World.

International events and geopolitical shifts have massive impacts on Canada. More than ever, governments and companies find themselves navigating uncertain geopolitical dynamics. To assess what this means in practice, we are joined by Arif Lalani, a Senior Advisor with StrategyCorp’s Geopolitical and International Business Advisory Practice. He shares his insight on what a declining western liberal democratic order concretely entails and why technology is now a form of hard power. We discuss how a changing geopolitical order impacts foreign policy and the way Canadian companies conduct business abroad.

Governments spend large sums of money on procurement every year. According to Global Affairs Canada, estimates show that government procurement represents between 13 and 20 per cent of a country’s gross domestic product.

Given the size of the budgets and the wide array of goods and services governments need, procurement is a big opportunity for potential suppliers. However, procurement processes are often complex and hard to navigate.

To explore the topic of federal procurement, we are joined by the President of AES Inc., Annie Randell, and Martin Rust, a Senior Advisor and a member of the StrategyCorp Procurement Solutions team. We explore why government procurement matters, the lifecycle of a process and how it could be improved. A member of Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation, Annie Randell also discusses the obstacles Indigenous-led organizations face when they partake in government procurement processes.

Later in the show, Julie Gonyou explains what makes municipal procurement unique and debunks common misconceptions. A former Chief Administrative Officer, Julie Gonyou is a Director at StrategyCorp and a member of the firm’s Procurement Solutions team.

The StrategyCorp Institute concludes its miniseries on artificial intelligence with an episode on AI in the municipal context. From building permit approvals to smart infrastructure to answering residents’ questions, there are many opportunities for municipalities to integrate AI-based solutions.

However, with all the hype around AI, it can be difficult for local governments to cut through the noise and adequately consider the risks and challenges associated with the technology. Ensuring the social acceptability of AI among City Council, staff and residents is also essential.

The City of Burlington is at the forefront of safe and effective AI adoption. It provides a model for municipalities across Canada. Chad MacDonald, the Executive Director, Digital Service, and Chief Information Officer of Burlington joins us to discuss the City’s experience with artificial intelligence and what comes next in the municipal context.

You can catch up on the first two episodes of our miniseries on AI by clicking the links below:

Episode 81: Artificial Intelligence Regulation and Innovation in Canada

Episode 79: Artificial Intelligence Regulation Around the World

The StrategyCorp Institute continues its miniseries on artificial intelligence by looking at the Canadian context.

We discuss the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act in bill C-27 and the federal government’s overall approach to regulating AI. We also explore Canada’s leadership in AI, how companies are adopting the technology and whether it will lead to greater productivity.

Christelle Tessono and Viet Vu from The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University join us for this timely conversation.

Curious to also learn about how other countries are regulating AI? Listen to the first instalment of our miniseries with the Director of the Center for Data Innovation Daniel Castro.