Member voices, offers and opportunities to grow your business. September 10, 2026 Sign up | View online The Buzz This Week RBC Mobilizes RBCx Growth Fund I to Back Canadian Tech Champions RBC has launched a $1.4 billion private equity initiative targeting late-stage Canadian companies in AI, energy, and frontier tech to ensure domestic innovators scale globally without leaving the country. Enbridge Forms $2.7 Billion Joint Venture for BC Pipeline Expansion Enbridge is partnering with KKR and Apollo in a $2.7 billion transaction to fund the Aspen Point and Sunrise expansion projects on its Westcoast natural gas pipeline system. Uber Arrives in Northeast Ontario Uber Canada says it received the green light to operate under the Ontario government’s new one-year rideshare pilot program framework, with a plan to serve more than 75 communities in northeastern Ontario. Bombardier Responds to Threat of U.S. Business Jet Sales Ban Bombardier Inc. highlighted its extensive U.S. manufacturing footprint and job creation after threats of an import ban targeted Canadian-made business aircraft amidst the cross-border trade friction. ON THE MOVE ▸Greg Ebel to step down as CEO of Enbridge effective January 1st, with Michele Harradence, President of Gas Distribution and Storage and member of the Business Council of Toronto, named as his successor ▸Patrick Pichette, former CFO of Google Canada, named inaugural CEO of Digital Transformation Canada ▸Vlad Shpilsky named Group Head, Global Technology and Solutions, Paul Whitehead named Senior Executive Vice President, Global Corporate Services, and Renu Gupta named Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer at TD ▸Ralph Hamers, former Group CEO of UBS and former CEO of ING, named to Board of Directors at Scotiabank ▸Ben Holland appointed as new Chief Financial Officer at WSP ▸Nancy Baxter, former deputy dean of research centres at the University of Sydney, named Vice-President and Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University Welcome to our New Members! ▸ Clasquin Canada ▸ NordSpace Corp. ▸ Outerstellar Studio ▸ Magnet ▸ OTH Security ▸ Total Mobile What Our Members Are Saying Digitally Enhanced Logistics Are Powering Global Growth for Canadian SMBs “A key to cross-border growth is showing all-in costs and delivery options upfront. When international shoppers see the full picture early, they’re more confident and more likely to complete their purchase.” — Paul Gaspar, Director of Small Business, UPS Canada Geopolitics, Trade and the Economy “Our analysis indicates that with some changes to its playbook, Canada could unlock $1 trillion in incremental capital expenditure in the next five years, transforming the country into the G7’s GDP growth leader.” — Andrew Pickersgill, Greg Kudar, Jordan Brennan, Rico Garcia Ondarza, and Zak Cutler of RBC Thought Leadership, on how Canada could become a global investment hub The Inside Perspective: Member Update Meeting Twice a year, the Board provides members with a direct update on the work being done on their behalf. Join us on September 17 for our Member Update Meeting, a virtual session offering a clear look at our current priorities, programs, and advocacy, and how each translates into value for your business and the Toronto region. Register here to take part. Member Spotlight Few people understand Canada's energy landscape as intimately as Michele Harradence. An engineer and a lawyer by training, she has spent nearly three decades in the sector and now leads the largest natural gas utility platform in North America. As Enbridge’s incoming CEO, she says the world wants what Canada has, demand is growing, and the opportunity to lead is there for the taking. Here are three takeaways from a conversation our President & CEO Giles Gherson had with Michele last year on our podcast, Toronto Talks: 1. Where do you see the biggest opportunity for Canada in energy right now? “We're just incredibly blessed with the abundance of the natural resources that we have, and I think we need to embrace that advantage. There's an ecosystem we can build around it. The global demand for gas is still there and the customers are growing. I really do think we have a second chance to move the nation forward.” 2. If that opportunity is real, what has to change for Canada to capture it? “We need to declare that energy is in the national interest. We need the political will to support these projects, to see them through. And even when there's not 100% consensus on things, we need to simplify the regulations and commit to some realistic deadlines. At the end of the day, we need to attract that investment. It's global markets and there's a lot of places where this money can go, so we need to prioritize certainty and have rational and competitive tax structures.” 3. Beyond the economics, why does it matter that this energy comes from Canada specifically? “Canada is among the most responsible producers there is. We have great resources, they are among the most responsibly produced, and we should be on those global markets. A lot of us were disappointed when the Europeans came calling a few years ago and we weren't in a position to help them. I was embarrassed as a Canadian that we couldn't do more when we have what we do.” Hear the full conversation between Michele and Toronto Region Board of Trade President & CEO Giles Gherson here. Members: are you driving change in your industry? Contact your Relationship Manager to share your story with us and be featured. The Talk Track “Our story could have happened in many places. But the fact is, it happened in Ontario. We took a global approach, maintained full ownership, and led with a can-do attitude from the start. Today, I am happy to report that almost all the music software traded globally passes through Scarborough, Ontario.” — Ray Williams, President and Founder of Music Marketing Inc. at today's Annual Policy Priorities-Setting Session “Ontario Tech is certainly doing our part by developing the talent, research and technology Ontario needs in the critical areas of STEM, including nuclear energy. You just heard [from the Premier] about the build at Wesleyville, we’ve all got to get on board. That's more engineers, that's more tradespeople who can hit the ground running.” — Dr. Steven Murphy, President and Vice-Chancellor, Ontario Tech University at today's Annual Policy Priorities-Setting Session Upcoming Member Workshops Our Member Workshops are hosted by Members and built to share expertise, spark connections, and equip you with practical solutions you can use right away. Spaces are limited, so secure your seat while they’re available. ► Sep 28 (In Person) – Succession Planning for Business Owners hosted by CIBC ► Sep 28 (In Person) – From Core Strengths to Transformative Social Impact hosted by Connected North ► Sep 29 (Virtual) – The AI Adoption Journey: From Exploration to Transformation hosted by BDC Have industry insights to share? Host a Member Workshop and position yourself as a subject matter expert — contact your Relationship Manager to get started. Join the Conversation Events & Opportunities from Members 5th Annual Canadian Robotics Council Symposium On September 21st, the CRC Symposium will bring together the leaders shaping the future of robotics adoption, innovation, and economic growth in Canada. As Canada's national robotics gathering, the symposium convenes robotics companies, industry adopters, researchers, investors, and senior government decision-makers to explore the opportunities and challenges facing the robotics ecosystem. Registration closes September 20th. Source Authentic Jamaican Food & Beverage Brands Foodservice buyers, importers and distributors: On September 25, meet export-ready Jamaican suppliers offering fresh produce, frozen foods, sauces, seasonings, beverages, premium coffee, chocolate and private-label solutions. Book curated B2B meetings to discover new products, strengthen your supply chain and build distribution partnerships. NOT A MEMBER? DISCOVER HOW MEMBERSHIP CAN WORK FOR YOU How did you enjoy this installment? Let us know! Our team reviews every response. EMAIL US YOUR THOUGHTS TORONTO REGION BOARD OF TRADE PRINCIPAL PARTNERS Toronto Region Board of Trade | 21 Melinda St, Suite 900 | Toronto, ON | M5L 1G3 | Canada | 416.366.6811 If you do not wish to receive emails from Toronto Region Board of Trade, unsubscribe or update your preferences.