About this Work Track
Guiding Question
- How do we help governments understand the likely horizons and conditions for recovery to target their stimulus plans; and, how do we identify support programs for sectors to accelerate their recovery?
Outcomes
- Fall 2020: Sector Recovery Reports – Leaders from across the region convened to develop sector by sector recovery plans, and address the economic challenges stemming from COVID-19. Their recommendations have been distilled into 11 reports, each representing key industries in the Toronto region.
- Spring 2021: Fast Forward: Sector Strategies for Accelerating the Toronto Region’s Recovery – Building on the Board’s Reimagining Recovery COVID-19 response efforts over the course of 2020, the Fast Forward report provides recommended medium-term economic recovery actions that government and businesses can take within the next 1-3 years – a timeframe that is perceived as being neglected by other recovery plans.
Work Track 2 Membership
Leigh Smout
President
World Trade Center – Toronto (Co-Chair)
Dan Hengeveld
Senior Director, Investment Attraction
Toronto Global (Co-Chair)
Warren Ali
Senior Vice President, Innovation
Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association
Tim Cameron
President
Sysco
Dolf DeJong
CEO
Toronto Zoo
Robert Fox
Vice President, Sales
Telus Health
Sunil Johal
Director, Economic Support and Recovery
City of Toronto
Stephen Gardiner
Senior Managing Director, Strategy and Digital Transformation
Accenture
Satish Kanwar
GM & Vice President of Product
Shopify
Daniel Malik
Vice President, Policy and Stakeholder Relations
Toronto Finance International
Bonnie Patterson
Former President and Vice Chancellor
Trent University
Marguerite Pigott
Film Commissioner and Director of Entertainment Industries
City of Toronto
Jennifer Reynolds
President & CEO
Toronto Finance International
Chris Rickett
Director, COVID-19 Business Mitigation and Recovery
City of Toronto
Alex Ryan
Senior Vice President, Partner Solutions
MaRS Discovery District
Daphne Taras
Dean, Ted Rogers School of Management
Ryerson University
Thomas Timmons
Leader, Energy Sector Group (Canada)
Gowlings WLG
Craig Walter
Partner, National Leader Infrastructure
Deloitte
Eileen Waechter
Director, Corporate Relations and Strategic Partnerships
Greater Toronto Airports Authority
Andrew Weir
Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer
Tourism Toronto
Work Track 2 Outcomes
Fast Forward: Sector Strategies for Recovery
All sectors in the Toronto Region continue to struggle into 2021. The report uncovers gaps in medium term recovery plans, and recommends six actions to guide business recovery over next 1-3 years.
Report From the Energy Sector Table
The Toronto region’s energy sector is the backbone of the economy and a key enabler of other sectors’ success. This report outlines how its recovery is important to a broader recovery and provides key recommendations to achieve this goal.
Report From the Film, Music and Live Events Sector Table
The film, music and live event industries are vital to the economic and cultural health of Toronto, but the effects of COVID-19 have decimated these industries. This report outlines key recommendations on how all levels of government can work to embrace the arts and live events as economic drivers.
Report From the Financial Sector Table
Despite its relatively smooth transition to a remote work environment, the region’s financial sector is facing uncertainty stemming from economic and market forces. This report outlines key recovery recommendation for this sector and points the way forward for the continued evolution of the industry.
Report From the Health Sector Table
The region’s health sector faces unique challenges during COVID-19 – as a provider of direct and indirect support for patients, and as an employer of front-line workers. This report outlines recommendations on how this sector can recover, while implementing faster adoption of new technologies and virtual care services.
Report From the Infrastructure Sector Table
Few sectors are less adaptable to remote working than infrastructure, and the industry has been hard hit by COVID-19. This report outlines a path to recovery for the sector, and how it can address long-standing challenges such labour supply, workforce diversity and procurement processes.
Report From the Innovative and Technology Sector Table
Innovation and Technology is a high-opportunity, high-employment, high growth sector, but COVID-19 has resulted in market and economic impacts for many in the industry. This report outlines recommendations on how this sector can build back better while creating a more inclusive innovation ecosystem.
Report From the Large Retail, Grocers and E-Commerce Sector Table
Retail, grocers and e-commerce businesses were some of the first to adapt to operating during COVID-19, but confusion persists around safety standards for both customers and workers. This report recommends a way forward for the sector and how it can adapt to fundamentally changed customer behaviour.
Report From the Main Street Business Sector Table
Main street businesses are essential to the region’s quality of life, but the sector has been decimated, experiencing massive job loss and business closures. This report outlines the path forward as businesses seek to rebuilding consumer trust.
Report From the Manufacturing Sector Table
COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the manufacturing sector and continues to create significant challenges. This report lays out a recovery roadmap for this sector, while positioning it as a global leader in manufacturing.
Report From the Post -Secondary Sector Table
The region’s post secondary institutions are facing significant financial stability challenges as a result of COVID-19. This report outlines a road to recovery for the sector, and how our region’s colleges and universities can build on their internationally renowned reputations.
Report From the Travel and Tourism Sector Table
Toronto’s visitor economy was the first sector to be negatively affected by COVID-19 and may well be among the last to fully recover. This report outlines a way forward and suggests that innovation will be central to the recovery of this industry.