Urban Transit Infrastructure Symposium Eastern Canada
May 29 – 30, 2025
Novotel Toronto North York Hotel, Toronto, ON
Managing a Changing Ridership, Finding Efficiencies for Transit Development, and Strategies for Cost-Effective Planning
Conference Co-Chairs:
Edna Cuvin Program Director, Transit, Expansion Division City of Toronto
Paul Jachymek Partner Aird & Berlis LLP
Featured Speakers:
Pierre Barrieau Lecturer, Transportation Planning and Urban Development Université de Montréal
Franck Castaing Ontario Director Ingerop Canada
Riccardo Cosentino Senior Vice President AtkinsRéalis
Paul Langan Founder High Speed Rail Canada
Sarah Morrison Director, Capital Projects Group Metrolinx
Uzay Ozince Senior Vice President, Development, TransitOriented Communities Infrastructure Ontario
Jeff Walter Digital Consulting Lead – Canada AECOM
This Year’s Highlights Include Sessions on:
Solutions to Increase Funding for Public Transit Projects in an Inflationary Economy
Prospects for a High-Speed Rail Corridor in Eastern Canada
Modern Railway Signaling and Electrification Systems, and Adaptation to the Canadian Climate
The Role of Municipal Governance to Enhance Transit Projects and Design
Transit Procurement and Delivery – Lessons Learned from Collaborative Models
Join us at the 11th Annual Urban Transit Infrastructure Symposium, Eastern Canada, where the nation's foremost transit and infrastructure leaders converge to tackle the most critical challenges shaping our urban landscapes.
In a rapidly evolving cityscape, stakeholders are under immense pressure to innovate and adapt to shifting ridership demands, technological advancements, and inflationary economic pressures. This symposium provides a unique platform for leaders to exchange best practices, develop forward-thinking strategies, and collaborate on innovative solutions.
Urban transit is a driving force behind policy advancements across multiple sectors. This event is an opportunity to gather with thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers to share insights, and shape the future of transit infrastructure in Eastern Canada.
Key topics we will explore include funding solutions, fare integration, transit-oriented development, signaling and electrification, procurement and delivery strategies, and the status of major transit projects in Eastern Canada.
Join senior leaders from government agencies, transit authorities, municipalities, engineering, construction, legal, and consulting firms at this premier event. Gain invaluable insights from experts, contribute to discussions, and stay ahead in planning and building for our rapidly transforming sector during this pivotal time in the industry.
Bringing together public and private sectors to discuss critical issues, network and share expertise.
With:
ĉ CEOs
ĉ Presidents
ĉ Senior Vice Presidents / Vice Presidents
ĉ Directors
ĉ Project Managers
From:
ĉ Government Agencies
ĉ Transit Authorities
ĉ Municipalities
ĉ Construction
ĉ Engineering
ĉ Architecture and Design Firms
ĉ Developers
ĉ Solution Experts
ĉ Insurance Providers
ĉ Lenders
As well as Partners, Regional and National Leaders from Law Firms and Consulting Companies.
This conference exceeded my expectations to the 110% level.
LIGHT RAIL PROGRAM DIRECTOR, TRANSDEV CANADA
DISTINGUISHED FACULTY
Conference Co-Chairs
Speakers
Edna Cuvin
Program Director, Transit, Expansion Division City of Toronto
Paul Jachymek Partner
Aird & Berlis LLP
Praveen Arichandran Co-CEO and Co-Founder Argo Corporation
Pierre Barrieau Lecturer, Transportation Planning and Urban Development Université de Montréal
Richard Borbridge Transit Expansion Division, Director for Program Planning City of Toronto
Thiago Carvalho School of Urban Planning McGill University
Franck Castaing Ontario Director Ingerop Canada
Shery Cherian Principal Architecture49 Inc.
Riccardo Cosentino Senior Vice President AtkinsRéalis
Matthew Di Taranto Manager, Public Transit Partnerships Uber Canada Inc.
Jonathan English Fellow, Transportation and Land Use
Marron Institute of Urban Management, NYU
Raul Gonzalez Technical Manager Ingerop Quebec
Paul Jachymek Partner Aird & Berlis LLP
Paul Langan Founder High Speed Rail Canada
Olivier Marcil Vice President Communications & Public Affairs Canada Alstom
Sarah Morrison Director, Capital Projects Group Metrolinx
Jay Nathwani Partner, Specialist in Construction Law Margie Strub Construction Law LLP
Matthew O’Neil Manager, Rapid Transit Coordination Region of Waterloo
Uzay Ozince Senior Vice President, Development, Transit-Oriented Communities Infrastructure Ontario
Brian Reilly Senior Director Canada Infrastructure Bank
Jeff Walter Digital Consulting Lead – Canada AECOM
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DAY ONE
Thursday, May 29, 2025
9:00 Opening Remarks from the Co-Chairs
Edna Cuvin Program Director, Transit, Expansion Division City of Toronto
Jachymek
9:15 Seeking Solutions to Increase Funding for Public Transit Projects in an Inflationary Economy
Increased project costs for materials and services due to global inflation are impacting project timelines and funding security for transit projects. Challenges associated with inflation such as organizational capacity, long-term planning, and stabilized funding continue to grow. This session will discuss innovative ways to increase funding for transit projects in inflationary economic times.
• Exploring alternative financing options, including public-private partnerships and value capture strategies, to secure stable funding amidst rising costs
• Understanding the role of policy reforms and effective advocacy in driving increased government support and investment in transit projects
• Examining a congestion tax to generate income for transit projects, where this has been implemented, and outcomes
10:15 Networking Refreshment Break
Riccardo Cosentino Senior Vice President AtkinsRéalis
Jonathan English Fellow, Transportation and Land Use Marron Institute of Urban Management, NYU
Brian Reilly Senior Director Canada Infrastructure Bank
10:45 Prospects for a High-Frequency, High-Speed Rail Corridor in Eastern Canada
This session will discuss the federal government’s planned high-frequency, high- speed rail megaproject that would build and operate dedicated passenger lines between Quebec City and Toronto.
Pierre Barrieau Lecturer, Transportation Planning and Urban Development Université de Montréal
Paul Langan Founder High Speed Rail Canada
Olivier Marcil Vice President Communications & Public Affairs Canada Alstom
11:45 Transit Project Progress and Lessons Learned: Status Report on Major Transit Projects in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic
This session will provide project updates and discuss recent developments in project delivery for major projects in Eastern Canada. Projects for discussion include the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, the Ontario line, the GO Smart Track expansion, Montreal’s REM, and Halifax’s Rapid Transit Strategy.
• Assessing the obstacles to deliver massive projects within a dense urban environment
• Understanding the partnerships needed to excel in project delivery and key trends in neighboring sectors
• Developing strategies to overcome project delivery barriers, such as funding and construction delays
• Collaborating to find solutions, build alliances, and share best practices for urban transit projects
12:45 Networking Luncheon
Shery Cherian Prinicpal Architecture49 Inc.
Jay Nathwani
Partner, Specialist in Construction Law Margie Strub Construction Law LLP
1:45
The Role of Municipal Governance to Enhance Transit Projects and Design
Municipal governance plays a crucial role in transit projects and design by overseeing public transit, active transportation, and local highways and roads.
While municipalities have the power to prioritize and implement transportation policies to promote sustainability and reduce congestion they need to collaborate with provincial and federal governments to create multimodal transportation networks that better serve transit riders and enhance urban planning.
• Seeking more successful collaboration by recognising organisational responsibilities and motivations
• Examining comparative questions: improving collaboration in technical reviews
• Developing governance and dispute resolution structures in transit projects
• Obtaining advice and developing processes to influence without authority
• Prescription-performance-partnership: clearing hurdles of culture change through commercial models
Richard Borbridge Transit Expansion Division, Director for Program Planning City of Toronto
Matthew O’Neil Manager, Rapid Transit Coordination Region of Waterloo
2:45 Modern Railway Signaling and Electrification Systems, and Adaptation to the Canadian Climate
• Uncover how modern signaling and electrification systems improve railway safety and operational efficiency
• Understand adaptive technologies designed to withstand extreme weather and climate challenges in Canada
• Explore eco-friendly innovations in railway infrastructure paving the way to a sustainable
3:30 Networking Refreshment Break
Franck Castaing Ontario Director Ingerop Canada
Raul Gonzalez Technical Manager Ingerop Quebec
3:45 Assessing the Development and Benefits of Bus Rapid Transit in Large and Medium-Sized Communities in Eastern Canada
This session will highlight the implementation of BRT in Montreal, York Region, Mississauga, and London and provide lessons learned in delivering bus rapid transit.
• What have been the operational and perceived impacts of BRT implementation?
• Reviewing costs of capital, operations and maintenance; how does this compare to LRT? Assessing the effects of bus networks to improve travel times, reduce costs and increase ridership
• Assessing broader impacts on the city, such as new development and the environment
Thiago Carvalho School of Urban Planning McGill University
4:30 How Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) Help Transit Agencies Build Better Connected Mobility Networks
Using real-world examples, this session will present innovative solutions on how Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) help public transit agencies build better connected mobility networks.
Matthew Di Taranto Manager, Public Transit Partnerships Uber Canada Inc.
Praveen Arichandran Co-CEO and Co-Founder Argo Corporation
5:00 Closing Remarks, Day 1 and Conference Adjourns
and
– Lessons Learned from Collaborative Models
• Learn how collaborative procurement models can lead to improved project quality and efficiency by fostering strong partnerships and clear communication
• Explore strategies for distributing risks among parties to ensure better risk management and resilience throughout the project lifecycle
• Discover how collaborative approaches encourage innovative solutions and adaptability, enabling transit projects to respond effectively to changing circumstances and technological advancements
•
• Analyzing the impact of supportive (and not-so-supportive)
• Investigating the effects of municipal processes on the successful implementation of TOC
• Highlighting the community benefits and emerging trends in TOC projects
• Transitioning from early-phase concepts to actual implementation, examining how "the rubber meets the road"
A very good conference, very informative, good opportunities to network.
SENIOR PROJECT ENGINEER, CITY OF BRAMPTON
1:30 Transforming Urban Transit: The Power of AI in System Design
Urban transport design faces numerous challenges, including regulatory constraints, economic pressures, supply chain disruption, unexpected repairs, and significant upfront investments. Leveraging AI, automation, and data analytics can help with these challenges and lead to tangible improvements, enhancing service quality, reputation, and cost savings.
This session will delve into the transformative potential of AI in transit project delivery.
• Master the essentials of safely integrating AI into transit system design and planning
• Identify the risks associated with AI use and develop a comprehensive checklist for project managers and urban designers
• Analyze potential savings in transit design projects through the application of AI automation and data analytics
2:15 Networking Refreshment Break
2:30 Achieving Seamless Transit through Fare Integration
With increasing ridership in less-serviced regions, eliminating double fares with the TTC remains a top priority for Ontario transit regulators. Discover how integrated fare systems can streamline revenue collection and enable single fare payments.
This session will highlight innovative solutions to help transit operators enhance transaction efficiency for both customers and stakeholders.
• Examining implimentation and lessons learned from fare integration and revenue automation
• Exploring strategies to remove double fares and encourage riders to utilize diverse transit options in the region
• Assessing the impact of free transfers for riders transitioning between GO and TTC transit systems
3:15 Fortifying Transit Networks: Advanced Cybersecurity Strategies for Transit Operators
Protecting both transit assets and riders from cyber security breaches is an essential aspect of building resilient transit systems. As cities continue to densify and transit system usage increases, the size and quality of data needing protection also increases, making the need for cyber security protections critical.
This panel will discuss the cybersecurity threats facing transit projects and solutions from top industry experts.
• Developing secure communications protocols to ensure secure interaction with customers, vendors, employees, and internal systems
• Mitigating and assessing breach risks and implementing strategies to minimize cyber threats and securely store data
• Creating a disaster recovery plan and establishing a framework for risk prevention and mitigation
• Exploring the importance of cooperation between transit operators, government agencies, and cybersecurity experts to enhance overall system resilience and security
4:00 Closing Remarks and Conference Ends
Jeff Walter Digital Consulting Lead – Canada AECOM
Urban Transit Infrastructure Symposium Western Canada AGENDA AT A GLANCE
CONFERENCE DAY 1 | TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025
8:00 Registration and Coffee
9:00 Opening Remarks from the Conference Co-Chairs
9:15 Navigating Financial Hurdles: Innovative Strategies for Transit Funding and Financing
10:15 Networking Refreshment Break
10:45 Keynote
11:00 CASE STUDY: Exploring Congestion Pricing to Offset Funding Shortfalls
12:00 Networking Luncheon
1:00 Prospects for a Commuter Rail Corridor in Western Canada
1:45 TRANSIT PROJECT PROGRESS AND LESSONS LEARNED – Status Report on Major Transit Projects in Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver
2:45 Networking Refreshment Break
3:00 The Future of Mobility: Seamless and Integrated Transit Solutions
4:00 Assessing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Developments in Western Canada: What's New and What's Planned
5:00 Closing Remarks, Day 1 Conference Adjourns June 17 – 18,
CONFERENCE DAY 2 | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025
8:00 Registration and Coffee
9:00 Opening Remarks from the Conference Co-Chairs
9:15 Strategic Planning to Transform Urban Spaces with Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
10:15 Networking Refreshment Break
10:30 Transit Procurement and Delivery – Lessons Learned from Collaborative Models
11:30 Electrification of Transit Fleets – Meeting the New Carbon Goals
12:30 Networking Luncheon
1:30 Fortifying Transit Networks: Advanced Cybersecurity Strategies for Transit Operators
2:15 Networking Break
2:30 Transforming Urban Transit: The Power of AI and Data Analytics in Public Transportation Systems
3:15 Innovations and Overcoming Challenges to Achieving Seamless Transit through Fare Integration
4:00 Closing Remarks and Conference Ends
Upcoming Events
Venue & Hotel
NOVOTEL TORONTO NORTH YORK HOTEL 3 Park Home Avenue, Toronto, ON, M2N 6L3
Phone: 416-733-2929 extension 1 or 2
ACCOMMODATIONS
The Canadian Institute is pleased to offer our delegates a limited number of hotel rooms at a negotiated rate. To take advantage of these rates, please contact the hotel directly and quote "CI's Urban Transit East or Block ID 1799110".
Please note that the guest room block cut-off date is April 28, 2025. After that date OR when the room block fills, guestroom availability and rate can no longer be guaranteed.
Book with Confidence!
Register and pay to lock in your early rate and be eligible for a full refund until May 15, 2025.
If you are unable to attend for any reason, you will have the following options:
y A full credit note for you, or a colleague to attend another event.
y A full refund.
All cancellations and changes must be submitted to CustomerService@CanadianInstitute.com by May 15, 2025.