The Competition and Green Growth Summit

The Competition and Growth Summit banner.

September 20, 2022

Canada and other countries across the world are taking significant actions to move towards a greener economy. Environmental and sustainability measures such as carbon taxes, net-zero targets and Environmental, Social, and Governance factors are impacting business competitiveness more and more. Consumers are also changing their buying habits because of their growing environmental consciousness.

To examine the interaction between competition law and policy and sustainability, the Competition Bureau is hosting the Competition and Green Growth Summit. This will be an opportunity for the Bureau to inform its enforcement and advocacy as well as to spark a conversation in Canada.

The Summit is a full day event that will feature two panels and an enforcers roundtable on September 20, 2022.

Expert panelists will discuss:

  • the role of competition to achieve the government’s greener growth goals and enhance Canada’s global competitiveness;
  • the role of competition enforcement in the transition to a greener economy; and
  • the practical aspects of environmental considerations in competition enforcement.

On this page

Registration

The summit is open to all virtually and limited to 100 guests in-person by invitation only.

To register, please fill out this online form.

Agenda

  • 9:30 a.m. EDT: Arrival of in-person participants at the National Arts Center
  • 10:00 a.m. EDT: Welcome and Opening remarks by the Commissioner of Competition

10:30 a.m. EDT: Panel 1 - A green future: competition policy and competitiveness

Panel details :

Climate change is driving governments and businesses around the world to set ambitious environmental targets.

The kickoff panel will open the discussion by providing context on the transition to a greener economy. It will also explore the role of competition to achieve the government’s greener growth and sustainability goals and enhance Canada’s global competitiveness.

Some of the key questions this panel will cover include:

  • How do current competition frameworks support the achievement of greener growth and sustainability goals?
  • To what extent can competition policy complement the Canadian government's environmental policies and climate targets?
  • What are the sectors where competition authorities could best advocate for competition in order to support greener growth and future competitiveness?
  • How will the Canadian economy likely evolve over the next 5 years as the green transition takes shape?

Moderator:

Leila Wright, Deputy Commissioner, Digital Enforcement and Intelligence Branch, Competition Bureau Canada

Panelists:

  • Paul Halucha, Associate Deputy Minister, Environment and Climate Change Canada
  • Sarah Keyes, Chief Executive Officer of ESG Global Advisors Inc.
  • Christopher Ragan, Associate Professor and founding Director of McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy
  • Craig Alexander, Chief Economist and Executive Advisor at Deloitte Canada
  • 12:00 p.m. EDT: Lunch
  • 1:00 p.m. EDT: Keynote Address by William E. Kovacic, Global Competition Professor of Law and Policy at George Washington University Law School

1:30 p.m. EDT: Panel 2- Enforcers roundtable: Perspective from competition agencies

Panel details:

Senior officials from international competition agencies will discuss the practical aspects of environmental considerations in competition enforcement.

Some of the key questions this panel will cover include:

  • How are competition authorities taking sustainability considerations into account within the existing legal framework? To what extent are adjustments needed?
  • What are some of the practical challenges faced by competition authorities?
  • What is the future of sustainable competition law and policy?

Moderator:

Melanie L. Aitken, Managing Principal and Co-Chair, Competition, Antitrust and Foreign Investment at Bennett Jones

Panelists:

  • Rainer Wessely, First Secretary of the European Union Delegation
  • Karina Lubell, Chief of the Competition Policy and Advocacy Section at the US Department of Justice
  • Laureen Kapin, Assistant Director of International Consumer Protection at the US Federal Trade Commission
  • Sandrine Delarue, Assistant Director in the Policy and International Team at the United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority
  • 3:00 p.m. EDT: Coffee Break

3:15 p.m. EDT: Panel 3 - Competition enforcement in a greener economy

Panel details:

Market dynamics are changing. Consumers and investors are becoming increasingly environmentally conscious in their choices, and businesses are adapting to this shift. This panel will discuss the role of competition enforcement in the transition to a greener economy, including business collaborations and enforcement against greenwashing.

Some of the key questions this panel will cover include:

  • What are the key markets where emerging innovative greener tech has the potential to disrupt incumbents?
  • In what circumstances are environmental considerations relevant to the assessment of merger or monopolistic practices cases?
  • What can we learn from enforcement cases that have been considering environmental effects?
  • How do consumer environmental preferences factor into the analysis under competition laws? How can competition enforcement protect consumers from misleading environmental claims and build confidence in the greener economy?
  • How can businesses collaborate to meet sustainability standards without breaking competition rules?

Moderator:

Jeanne Pratt, Senior Deputy Commissioner, Mergers and Monopolistic Practices branch, Competition Bureau Canada

Panelists:

  • Margaret Sanderson, Vice President, Practice Leader of Antitrust and Competition Economics at Charles Rivers Associates
  • Grant Bishop, Founder and Chief Nerd at KnightFork
  • Kate McNeece, Partner in McCarthy Tétrault’s LLP's Competition/Antitrust & Foreign Investment Group
  • Denise Hearn, co-author of The Myth of Capitalism: Monopolies and the Death of Competition
  • 4:45 p.m. EDT: Closing remarks

Speaker bios

  • Leila Wright, Deputy Commissioner of the Digital Enforcement and Intelligence Branch at the Competition Bureau Canada
    Leila Wright

    Leila is the Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau’s centre of expertise on data analytics, technology insights, intelligence, and behavioural economics.

    Prior to her current role, Leila was Associate Deputy Commissioner of Policy, Planning and Advocacy. With a focus on competition, Leila has taught at universities, has spoken at events, and published many articles. Prior to joining the Public Service, she practised competition law and commercial litigation at a national law firm.

    Leila received her J.D. from the University of Toronto, and has a B.A. in Political Studies as well as a B.Sc. in Life Sciences from Queen's.

  • Paul Halucha, Associate Deputy Minister at Environment and Climate Change Canada
    Paul Halucha

    Paul Halucha was appointed Associate Deputy Minister at Environment and Climate Change Canada in 2021.

    He earlier served as Assistant Secretary to Cabinet for Economic and Regional Development Policy and as Secretary for the Cabinet Committee on the Economy and the Environment at the Privy Council Office.

    Throughout his public service career, he has worked on economic policy issues including at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada for years. Files included:

    • competition and intellectual property;
    • procurement;
    • trade and investment policy;
    • industrial policy design and
    • sectoral policies (e.g., manufacturing, automotive, defence).
  • Sarah Keyes, Chief Executive Officer of ESG Global Advisors Inc.
    Sarah Keyes

    Sarah is an ESG and climate change expert with over a decade of experience. Today, she often presents to leadership teams on the link between ESG, climate change, performance and long-term value, and helps her clients establish ESG and climate change strategies.

    Previously, Sarah was a Principal at CPA Canada where she guided firms in integrating climate change considerations into business strategy, risk management, governance, and reporting. She also held senior roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers and MNP.

    She’s the Academic Director and Lead Instructor for the Institute of Corporate Directors’ Board Oversight of Climate Change program, and on the Boards of Leading Change and Sustainable Buildings Canada.

  • Christopher Ragan, Associate Professor and founding Director of McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy
    Christopher Ragan

    Throughout his career, Chris has been Chair of Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission, the President of the Ottawa Economics Association, Chair in Monetary Policy at the C.D. Howe Institute, a Special Advisor for the Bank of Canada, and the Clifford Clark Visiting Economist at Finance Canada, amongst other roles.

    Today, he gives many public speeches and teaches in several MBA and Executive MBA programs.

    Ragan holds a B.A. in economics from the University of Victoria, an M.A. in economics from Queen’s, and a Ph.D. in economics from M.I.T.

  • Craig Alexander, Chief Economist and Executive Advisor at Deloitte Canada
    Craig Alexander

    Craig Alexander is a senior executive and leading economist in applied economics and forecasting, with more than 25 years of experience in the private sector. He currently runs an independent economic consulting practice and is contracted as the Chief Economist and Economic Advisor at Deloitte. He has previously held positions as SVP and Chief Economist at TD Bank Financial Group and SVP and Chief Economist at the Conference Board of Canada. Craig is also the former Vice President Economic Analysis at C.D. Howe Institute. Craig holds a graduate degree in Economics from the University of Toronto.

  • Melanie L. Aitken, Managing Principal and Co-Chair, Competition, Antitrust & Foreign Investment at Bennett Jones
    Melanie L. Aitken

    Melanie is co-chair of Bennett Jones’ Competition/Foreign Investment practice. She specializes in the Canadian aspects of global competition law and litigation. She leads and litigates major international and domestic merger cases and represents clients in significant abuse and class action matters. Melanie was Canada's Commissioner of Competition from 2009-2012, in charge of the Competition Bureau, and headed merger review from 2007-2009. Melanie is widely recognized as one of Canada's leading competition lawyers.

  • Jeanne Pratt, Senior Deputy Commissioner, Mergers and Monopolistic Practices branch, Competition Bureau Canada
    Jeanne Pratt

    Jeanne Pratt is Senior Deputy Commissioner of the Mergers and Monopolistic Practices Branch at the Canadian Competition Bureau. She oversees the review of merger transactions and investigations related to abuse of dominance and other unilateral and joint anti-competitive conduct. From July 2017-July 2018, she held the position of Executive General Manager of the Merger and Authorization Review Division at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission as part of an international interchange. Jeanne has previously held management positions in the Cartels Directorate and as Special Legal Advisor to the Commissioner of Competition. Prior to joining the Bureau, Jeanne practiced competition law in the private sector.

  • Margaret Sanderson, Vice President, Practice Leader of Antitrust and Competition Economics at Charles Rivers Associates
    MargaretSanderson

    Margaret Sanderson is the global leader of Charles River Associates’ Competition and Antitrust Economics practice. She has 30 years of experience conducting economic analyses to determine the competitive effects of firm conduct. In Canada, Ms. Sanderson has testified before the Competition Tribunal, provincial and federal courts, and more. She has consulted to legal counsel, governments, and private-sector clients in varied industries.

    Previously, Ms. Sanderson headed the Economics unit at the Competition Bureau, where she led the economic expertise for Bureau enforcement cases, enforcement policy, and regulatory interventions. She has published many articles on competition policy and taught courses on antitrust economics.

  • Grant Bishop, Founder and Chief Nerd at KnightFork
    GrantBishop

    Grant Bishop is the Chief Nerd at KnightFork, which he founded in 2021 to build data-driven tools to understand carbon pricing and the energy transition. After wanderings in geological engineering, economics and law (with a focus on competition and environmental regulation), four strong winds carried him westward to work on the frontlines of the energy transition in management consulting and public policy.



  • Kate McNeece, Partner in McCarthy Tétrault LLP’s Competition/Antitrust & Foreign Investment Group
    Kate McNeece

    Kate's practice encompasses all aspects of competition law. She has worked with clients in several of Canada's key industries including energy, construction, telecommunications and consumer products. Kate is a member of the bar in New York and in Ontario. She is currently the Vice Chair of the Digital Media Committee of the CBA Competition Law Section, and serves as a member of the Steering Committee of the International Antitrust Law Committee of the ABA Section of International Law.

    Kate holds a J.D. from Columbia Law School and a B.A. in Economics from Yale University.

  • Denise Hearn, co-author of The Myth of Capitalism: Monopolies and the Death of Competition
    Denise Hearn

    Denise Hearn is an advisor, writer, and project catalyzer who has worked across sectors to support a more equitable economy and a thriving planet.

    She is a Senior Fellow at the American Economic Liberties Project where she co-leads the Access to Markets initiative. She is also advisory board chair of The Predistribution Initiative.

    Denise is co-author of The Myth of Capitalism: Monopolies and the Death of Competition — named one of the Financial Times’ Best Books of 2018. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications, and she currently authors the Embodied Economics newsletter.

  • Rainer Wessely, First Secretary of the European Union Delegation
    Rainer Wessely

    Since 2018, Rainer is posted at the Delegation of the European Union to the US in Washington DC and responsible for competition and justice policy, including competition cooperation with Canada.

    Previously, he served as Assistant to two Director Generals at the Directorate General for Competition at the European Commission. Then, Rainer was responsible for antitrust and merger enforcement, and international cooperation. He also worked many years as a Senior Associate at Hogan Lovells and has conducted many cartel investigations while at the Cartel Directorate at the EC DG Comp.

    Rainer has a PhD in international trade law and an LLM in European and international law.

  • Laureen Kapin, Assistant Director for International Consumer Protection at the US Federal Trade Commission
    Laureen Kapin

    Laureen has more than 20 years of experience in consumer protection law with the US FTC. Currently, she:

    • helps lead the office that assists litigators when their matters involve international targets, evidence, or assets;
    • engages in policy work to protect the public;
    • is co-chair of the Governmental Advisory Committee’s Public Safety Working Group; and
    • promotes the FTC’s interests through her role as a Special Attorney with the Department of Justice’s Office of Foreign Litigation.

    Previously, Laureen was a Seniors Attorney in the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. She also performed trial and appellate work for the DOJ’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch.

  • Karina Lubell, Chief of Competition Policy and Advocacy Section at the US Department of Justice
    Karina Lubell

    Karina Lubell joined the Antitrust Division in 2019 following over a decade as both an antitrust lawyer in the private bar and a policy analyst covering antitrust issues for a news publication. As Chief of the Competition Policy & Advocacy Section, Karina oversees the Division’s engagement with the U.S. Congress and state legislators, as well as its collaboration with other government agencies on issues relating to competition. Karina’s team is also responsible for the Division’s competition advocacy efforts.

    Karina earned her Juris Doctor from American University, a Masters of Science from EDHEC (France), and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Columbia University.

  • Sandrine Delarue, Assistant Director in the Policy and International Team at the United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority
    Sandrine Delarue

    Sandrine has worked across a number of sustainability workstreams as part of the CMA’s Policy and International team, including leading the CMA’s Sustainability Advice to the UK Government. Sandrine now leads the CMA’s Sustainability Taskforce, including the development of formal guidance, stakeholder engagement and the CMA’s broader policy thinking on sustainability.

    Outside her work on sustainability, Sandrine has been involved in a number of antitrust cases and recently led the CMA reviews of both the UK Vertical Agreements block exemption regulation and the Horizontal Agreements block exemption regulations.

    Sandrine studied law in France and in the UK. She practiced as an Avocat at the Paris Bar before moving to London, where she practiced as a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales.

  • William E. Kovacic, Global Competition Professor of Law and Policy at George Washington University Law School
    Rainer Wessely

    William E. Kovacic is the Global Competition Professor of Law and Policy at George Washington University Law School and Director of its Competition Law Center. From August 2013 through March 2022, he served as non-executive director with the United Kingdom Competition & Markets Authority. With Ariel Ezrachi, he edits the Journal of Antitrust Enforcement. From January 2006 to October 2011, he was a member of the Federal Trade Commission and chaired the agency from March 2008 until March 2009. He was the FTC’s General Counsel from 2001 through 2004.