08:50 IIC Welcome
Lynn Robinson became Director General of the International Institute of Communications (IIC), in March 2020.Lynn is an experienced senior director and trustee / non exec-director, having held key senior leadership positions in the technology, built environment, regulation, accreditation and dental industries. She has extensive experience of professional membership bodies working within the full spectrum including, Regulatory bodies, Industry associations and Chambers of Commerce. Lynn is a well-known and established ambassador in these areas having led on many strategic programmes to aid engagement, growth, retention, change management, stakeholder and political engagement.
09:00 Keynote
Jeanne Pratt is currently Interim Commissioner of Competition of Canada. In this role, she leads the Competition Bureau's work across all competition law enforcement and promotion programs. Prior to starting her acting role in December 2025, Jeanne was Senior Deputy Commissioner of the Mergers and Monopolistic Practices Branch at the Canadian Competition Bureau. She oversaw 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 Competition Bureau, Jeanne was a lawyer who practiced exclusively in the area of competition law, advising clients on all aspects of Canadian competition law and related litigation.
09:30 Panel
Privacy (& Bill C-36)
Moderator: Anja Karadeglija reports on tech policy in the Ottawa bureau of The Canadian Press, which includes covering the intersection of artificial intelligence and politics. She previously reported on Canadian politics and telecom, broadcasting and internet regulation at The National Post and The Wire Report.
Dr. Teresa Scassa is the Canada Research Chair in Information Law and Policy at the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law. Dr Scassa's work is often significantly interdisciplinary in approach. She is currently involved in projects that explore the governance of AI in health care, health data justice, privacy issues with publicly accessible data, data protection law reform in Canada, and AI regulation. Dr Scassa serves in a volunteer capacity on numerous advisory bodies, including the Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner's Strategic Advisory Council, Ontario's AI Expert Working Group, and the Ontario Health Data Council. She is also a board member of the Health Data Research Network. Dr Scassa is a member of the Centre for Law, Technology and Society and the Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics at the University of Ottawa. Over the course of her career, Dr Scassa has written widely in the areas of privacy law, the regulation of artificial intelligence, data governance and intellectual property law. In 2024 she was awarded the Piccasso Award in the category of Privacy Leader Academia/Thought Leader. Many of her published papers can be found on SSRN.com. Her blog on current issues in her field of expertise can be found at: http://www.teresascassa.ca or at https://teresascassa.substack.com/.
Chantal Bernier is Co-chair of Dentons' Global Privacy and Cybersecurity Group as well as a member of the Canadian Privacy and Cybersecurity practice group. She joined Dentons after nearly six years at the helm of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC). Her specialization and experience in public international law at the Department of Justice have brought her to expand her practice to matters of digital and AI sovereignty. She is also Chair of Statistics Canada Advisory Council on Ethics and Modernization of Microdata Access, Member of the Standards Council of Canada Steering Committee on AI and Data Governance, and Privacy Practitioner in Residence at the Centre for Law, Technology and Society of the Faculty of Law of the University of Ottawa.
Kris Klein, CIPP/C, CIPM, FIP and Westin Fellow, has more than two and half decades of public and private sector experience in the federal regulatory arena in Canada, and is one of Canada's leading advisors on privacy, data and AI governance, information security and access to information.
Prior to starting Canada's first boutique law firm that specialized in this industry, Kris litigated and counseled extensively on federal regulatory law with a pre-eminent national firm, and, subsequently, for the Canada's Department of Justice. Before leaving public service, he advised the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. In that role Kris counseled on legal, policy and strategic issues, including on the handling of high-profile and sensitive cases. He negotiated and settled complaints with private and public sector organizations facing scrutiny over privacy compliance issues. Kris also represented the Commissioner and her office publicly before Parliamentary committees, as a conference speaker, and before the media.
10:30 Short Track
Ethical and Accountable AI
Susan Lindsay is Counsel at the Law Commission of Ontario where she leads the AI Regulation and Human Rights project and the Intimate Images and Deep Fakes project. Susie created the LCO's joint initiative on AI and Human Rights with the Ontario Human Rights Commission and Canadian Human Rights Commission. As part of this initiative, Susie led the design of a human rights AI assessment tool for developers, adopters and administrators of AI systems to identify, assess, minimize or avoid discrimination throughout the lifecycle of an AI system. Susie is the principal author of the LCO's report "Accountable AI". This report explores the relationship between trustworthy AI and legal accountability, and the strategies or reforms needed to promote meaningful legal accountability for AI decision-making. Before joining the Commission, Susie spent twelve years practising litigation. Susie is a Fulbright Scholar, has a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School and was a fellow at the Berkman Klein Centre for Internet & Society at Harvard University.
10:45 Short Track
Algorithmic Pricing (& Bill C-36)
Vass Bednar runs the Canadian Shield Institute. She writes for The Globe and Mail, The Walrus, and The Toronto Star.
11:15 Panel
Key Communications Law Court Cases Review
Brandon Kain is a partner at McCarthy Tétrault LLP, where he is the head of its National Appellate Litigation Group. His practice focuses on appellate litigation, commercial disputes, regulatory law and class actions.
Brandon has acted in 70 appeals, including 30 appeals in the Supreme Court of Canada. He frequently represents parties in regulated industries on judicial reviews and administrative appeals, where he has particular experience with broadcasting and telecommunications disputes. Brandon has acted in over 10 appeals from the CRTC to the Federal Court of Appeal, including as lead counsel, along with the judicial review of a Cabinet decision in the Federal Court. He successfully challenged the CRTC's order prohibiting the simultaneous substitution of Canadian and American television commercials for the Super Bowl before the Supreme Court of Canada and successfully challenged the validity of the CRTC's Wholesale Code before the Federal Court of Appeal. As well, Brandon has successfully defended CRTC decisions at the Federal Court of Appeal which: ordered mandatory dispute resolution in an undue preference dispute between broadcasting undertakings; invoked the standstill rule in a dispute over the negotiation of broadcasting affiliation agreements; and increased the wholesale rates that facilities-based telecommunications carriers may charge to competing Internet services providers.
Brandon is also an adjunct professor at Western University Faculty of Law and the Henry N.R. Jackman Faculty of Law University of Toronto, where he teaches Advanced Contracts, Economic Torts and Good Faith in Contract Law. He is the author of Good Faith in Canadian Contract Law (Toronto: LexisNexis Canada, 2024), a two-volume text that was awarded first place in the 2025 Walter Owen Book Prize competition by The Canadian Foundation for Legal Research. His publications have been cited in over 20 judicial decisions, including by the Supreme Court of Canada and the United Kingdom Supreme Court.
Paul Burbank is a Partner at Fasken, practicing in the firm's Technology, Media and Telecommunications group.
Paul advises communications, technology and digital services companies on complex regulatory, commercial and public policy matters across Canada. A significant portion of his practice focuses on communications regulation. He advises telecommunications service providers, broadcasters, satellite operators, connectivity providers, trade associations, radio equipment vendors and digital platform companies on the legal and regulatory frameworks governing communications networks and services. His work includes matters relating to licensing and authorization requirements, ownership and control, market access, enforcement, dispute resolution, broadcasting and telecommunications policy, and proceedings before the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), and other federal agencies. He also advises on international telecommunications and digital infrastructure projects.
Paul has also contributed to Fasken's communications law litigation and appellate advocacy efforts, supporting matters before the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada involving significant telecommunications and broadcasting issues.
In addition to his regulatory practice, Paul advises public and private sector organizations on technology transactions and related regulatory matters, including outsourcing, cloud and SaaS arrangements, software licensing, managed services, consumer-facing terms and policies, cybersecurity, privacy and anti-spam compliance.
Stephanie Weiner is a Partner at Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP. Bringing extensive government, academic, and private-sector experience, Stephanie advises clients on complex litigation, regulatory, policy, and compliance matters involving telecommunications, broadband, spectrum, emerging technology, energy, and administrative law.
Stephanie has held senior legal and policy roles across the federal government. As Chief Counsel for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), she led legal efforts supporting major federal broadband and wireless supply chain investments and advised on artificial intelligence, internet governance, children's online safety, and spectrum policy. She also served as Senior Legal Advisor to the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and as Senior Legal Advisor to the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Energy.t
Stephanie's experience also spans academia, private practice, and the technology sector. Before joining WBK, she served as a Senior Research Fellow at the Georgetown Institute for Technology Law and Policy and as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center. Previously, as a law firm partner, she represented technology and energy clients in appellate litigation before the U.S. Courts of Appeals and in regulatory and administrative matters before federal agencies. Earlier in her career, she served as Deputy General Counsel at Neustar, Inc. Stephanie began her legal career clerking for Judge David S. Tatel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and Judge Milton I. Shadur of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
12:15 Lunch Keynote
Canada’s Digital Twin
Stephan Fai is a full professor at the School of Architecture and Urbanism, Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. He holds a professional undergraduate degree in architecture (Carleton 1990) and a M.A. and PhD in Religious Studies (Ottawa 1996; 2006). He has served as the acting director of the school of architecture (2002–2004), director (2004–2005), associate director of graduate programs (2006–2010), and co-chair of the PhD program (2012-2025). Professor Fai is cross appointed to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Institute for Comparative Studies in Literature, Art and Culture, and the multidisciplinary Master of Human-Computer Interaction. He has been the director of the Carleton Immersive Media Studio (CIMS) since 2007. CIMS is a multidisciplinary research unit that addresses theoretical and applied research questions related to the integration of digital technologies in the architecture, engineering, construction, owner operator (AECOO) and heritage industries.
Lara Chow serves as Associate Director of the Carleton Immersive Media Studio (CIMS), where she leads cutting-edge research at the intersection of architecture and digital technology. She has successfully directed multiple research teams on high-profile projects, including the Centre Block BIM, Library of Parliament BIM, and the development of CDT—an open-source, browser-based digital twin platform. Lara earned both her Bachelor of Architectural Studies and Master of Architecture from Carleton University.
13:30 Panel
Cybersecurity: How AI is Changing the Cybersecurity Landscape
Charles Finlay is a recognized cybersecurity and technology policy leader. He is the Founding Executive Director of Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Toronto Metropolitan University — Canada's premier hub for cyber training, commercial innovation, applied research, public education, and policy development. He also teaches Cybersecurity Global Contexts, where he situates current cybersecurity challenges in historical and international contexts. With a background in journalism, law, and politics, Finlay previously served as Chief of Staff for Ontario's Minister of Economic Development, practiced law at BMO and Torys LLP, worked as a technology researcher at Forrester, and was a business journalist for The Globe and Mail and Canadian Business.
Jennifer Quaid is the Executive Director of the Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange (CCTX), which now includes the Canadian Anti-Scam Coalition. The CCTX is Canada's preeminent private sector organization for cross-sector collaboration, enabling cyber resilience and preparedness in its members. The Canadian Anti-Scam Coalition enables participating organizations across all sectors to collaborate, to share information to get ahead of the growth of scams and cyber enabled crimes in Canada. Jennifer is responsible for advancing the mission and purpose of the organization and delivering value to the membership. Under her leadership the organization has grown to 200+ members, offering new services and areas for collaboration. It has also developed partnerships with other organizations and government agencies across the cyber eco-system.
While at the CCTX Jennifer has authored numerous articles and op-eds on multiple areas of cyber security, governance and regulation, she is a frequent speaker on issues of both cyber security and fraud prevention and has spoken before Committees of both the House of Commons and Senate of Canada as an expert witness.
Prior to the CCTX, Jennifer was the Director of People and Operations at Gryphon Secure where she led the integration of technical teams in Finland, Canada and the US.
With extensive experience in the tech sector and with membership-based organizations, Jennifer excels at creating an environment that fosters collaboration and service.
Jennifer has 30 years of experience in Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom.
Dominic Arseneault leads the product organization for CIRA's Cybersecurity & DNS services, building upon the organization's world-class DNS infrastructure to deliver managed security services and threat intelligence to Canadians and the global internet community.
With 12+ years in cybersecurity and product leadership, Dom has led teams across SOC operations, advisory services, and security platform development. Prior to joining CIRA, he was Director of Concierge Security and Director of Product at Arctic Wolf, where he built a security investigation and case management platform, scaled the proactive security team, and redefined the service delivery model for the advisory service.
14:30 Short Track
Non-Terrestrial Networks
Dr. Halim Yanikomeroglu is a Chancellor's Professor at Carleton University, and the Founding Director of the Carleton-NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) Lab. Dr. Yanikomeroglu has made significant contributions to multiple generations of mobile networks. He is among a select group of researchers recognized for substantial and visionary contributions across all four layers of non-terrestrial networks (NTN): terrestrial, aerial (UAVs), near-space (high-altitude platform stations, HAPS), and space (satellite) networks. He co-leads the "NTN for Accelerating Canada's Ubiquitous Connectivity and Digital Future (NTN-CAN)" project, which has a budget of CAD 13.5 million.
Dr. Yanikomeroglu is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Engineering Institute of Canada (EIC), the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE), the Wireless World Research Forum (WWRF), and the International Academy of Artificial Intelligence Sciences (AAIS). He has co-authored 775 peer-reviewed papers. He is also an inventor of 43 granted patents, many of which have resulted in impactful technology transfer. At Carleton, he has supervised or hosted approximately 190 postgraduate researchers. Several of his former team members have gone on to become professors in Canada, the United States, Europe, and other parts of the world. He delivers approximately 25 invited seminars, keynote addresses, and panel presentations each year.
Dr. Yanikomeroglu has held numerous leadership roles within the professional community. He has served as Steering Committee Chair, General Chair, and Technical Program Chair of several major international conferences, and has also served on the editorial boards of multiple leading journals and magazines.
Dr. Yanikomeroglu has received numerous awards in recognition of his research, teaching, and professional service. His most recent honors include the 2026 Canadian Academy of Engineering President's Award and the 2026 IEEE Canada R.A. Fessenden Award and Silver Medal. He holds a PhD degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Toronto.
14:45 Short Track
Lawful Access (& Bill C-22)
Stephen Zolf is Co-Leader of the Aird & Berlis Communications and Media and the Competition and Foreign Investment Groups. He advises clients operating in the communications and digital media sector in areas including the legislative and regulatory framework governing foreign streaming services in Canada and the provision of telecommunications services in Canada. As a principal in the Competition/Antitrust Group, Stephen regularly advises clients on mergers and acquisitions and competition compliance matters under the Competition Act and on foreign investment review under the Investment Canada Act. His expertise encompasses international trade regulation and sanctions. Stephen is currently Co-Chair of the Firm's Sports, Media & Entertainment Group.Stephen is recognized as an industry expert in communications and media law. He represents domestic and international clients on Canada's media regulatory framework, including contribution rules under the Online Streaming Act, Canadian content rules, tax credits, programming rights and copyright. Stephen also advises clients on the CRTC's regulatory framework for the provision of telecommunications services and on Industry Canada wireless spectrum licensing matters.Stephen has experience before many administrative tribunals and agencies, including the CRTC, the Canadian Copyright Board, the Competition Bureau and Industry Canada. He has also acted as regulatory/legal counsel in a number of major high profile Canadian media/telecom transactions. Stephen has strong communication skills and a personable approach, and publishes and speaks frequently on regulatory law and policy.He has been consistently recognized as a leading practitioner of communications and media law by Chambers and Partners, Lexpert, Best Lawyers and Legal Media Group. Stephen was the Telecommunications Contributor to Legal Alert (Carswell) for over 20 years.Before becoming a lawyer, Stephen worked as an economist and policy advisor for the Canadian government in the area of competition policy, regulatory reform and telecommunications.
15:15 Short Track
Data Centres – Problems and Solutions
Dr. Miriam Aczel is an Affiliate with the California Institute for Energy and Environment and CITRIS Climate at UC Berkeley, and an Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College London. Her research focuses on energy and environmental policy, with recent work examining the energy, water, carbon and land footprints of artificial intelligence and data centres. She previously served as a Researcher at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), where she was the lead author of the 2026 report Environmental Cost of Artificial Intelligence: Carbon, Water and Land Footprints. More broadly, her research focuses on energy systems, community decarbonization, environmental justice, and the environmental impacts of emerging technologies. She holds an MSc in Environmental Technology and a PhD in Environmental Research from Imperial College London, and a BA from McGill University.
15:30 Short Track
Regulation of Sports Betting Advertising (& Bill S-211)
The Honourable Marty Deacon was appointed to the Senate of Canada on February 15, 2018.
Prior to serving in the Senate, Senator Deacon completed a 35-year career in Education. As an Educator with a Master of Education (Western University) she taught (Physics, Science, Physical & Health Education) in Secondary Schools (Waterloo Region District School Board), at two Universities (University of Toronto, Western University), was a consultant, and an Administrator at the Elementary and Secondary School level. Senator Deacon finished her career in Education as Superintendent. Following this career, Senator Deacon consulted across sectors with a focus on organizational excellence.
Senator Deacon, while raising two daughters (Kristine and Kailee) with husband Bruce, also volunteered extensively in her community and internationally. She has garnered international respect in sport and education. This work began when Deacon served as an Apprentice Coach for the 1994 Commonwealth Games. Over the past 24 years Deacon has coached, led or served at 15 Olympic, Commonwealth and Pan Am Games. Her highest international opportunity was leading Team Canada (Chef de Mission) at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.
Senator Deacon served as a Director on the Canadian Olympic Committee, Commonwealth Games Canada, Ontario Excellence Leadership Centre and the Grand River Jazz Society. Recently, at the Victoria Forum (hosted by UVic and the Senate of Canada), Marty continued to meet with Commonwealth leaders to complete a declaration developed by leaders in the Commonwealth that addresses reconciliation through sport.
Senator Deacon is most passionate about the physical and mental well-being of all Canadians. She is an advocate for the future of women and young girls and children worldwide. She has mentored and supported leaders in developing countries with a belief that sport, the arts and education can build better communities, one community at a time. She believes in the power of sport to build and unite strong communities and Canadians.
Senator Deacon is dedicated to ensuring organizations can thrive and function at optimal levels. She has assisted with developing governance and policy that allows this to happen in a meaningful, purposeful and respectful way. Senator Deacon uses all her skills, experiences to leverage and ensure an inclusive, inviting meaningful connection for all Canadians. All perspectives need to be heard and understood. Senator Deacon understands the importance of taking risks, participating in courageous conversations and learning every day.
Senator Deacon has been recognized through a variety of awards including: The Women of Distinction and Lifetime Achievement Award (YWCA), Waterloo Region, The International Olympic Committee, Education and Youth Award, the Jules Nisse "Playground to Podium" award, the Queen Diamond Jubilee Medal, Induction in the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame and the Cambridge Hall of Fame.
In Senate, Senator Deacon has supported and challenged legislation while introducing a Private Member's Bill intended to pull back the advertising of gambling. She also sits on the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee (AEFA) and Chair on Security and Defence (SECD) Committee.
Senator Deacon enjoys time with family and friends, exploring the world as a global citizen, hiking, cycling, yoga, quiet reading and music.
15:45 Panel
Advertising and the Regulation of Prediction Markets
Moderator: Meera Raman is a personal finance reporter for The Globe and Mail's Report on Business, based in Toronto.
Her reporting explores the ways money shapes people's lives, from Canada's "boring business" boom to the rise of prediction markets and the blurring lines between investing and gambling.
In addition to her reporting, Meera writes Retire Rich, a weekly newsletter that helps readers navigate the investing and financial decisions that shape their futures.
Rachel Wasserman is the founder of Wasserman Business Law and previously worked at two of Canada's most prestigious law firms. Rachel began her career in marketing for global consumer goods companies and has spent time working in investment banking. Rachel is an advocate for small and medium-sized businesses and creating a more sustainable and robust economy that works for all. She is also a fellow at the Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project and Social Capital Partners.
Catherine De Guisti is the Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Product Legal at Wealthsimple, where she leads the team responsible for providing strategic legal and regulatory advice for all of Wealthsimple's products. Before joining Wealthsimple, Catherine served as in-house counsel at TMX Group, advising on securities regulatory and corporate issues for TMX Group's exchange and equity clearing operations. She began her career as an associate at Torys LLP, specializing in public corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions. Catherine holds degrees from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and Western University and is a member of the Law Society of Ontario.
Jean-Paul Bureaud is Executive Director of FAIR Canada, an independent Canadian charity that advances the interests of retail investors. A lawyer and financial regulatory leader with three decades of experience, he leads FAIR Canada's strategy, operations and engagement with governments, regulators and the public on investor protection and fair treatment in financial services. Before joining FAIR Canada, Jean-Paul advised governments and regulators on capital markets and international standards as a financial sector expert with the World Bank Group. He previously spent 20 years at the Ontario Securities Commission in legal, policy and senior leadership roles, including on its Executive Management Team. He also chaired an IOSCO committee responsible for maintaining the core global standards for securities regulation. Jean-Paul is a director of the Canadian Foundation for Financial Planning and serves on advisory bodies for the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada and the Toronto Centre for Global Leadership in Financial Supervision. Canadian media regularly seek his commentary on investor protection and financial regulation.
Kevin Desjardins is the President and CEO of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB), representing Canada's private radio and television stations and services.
An accomplished association leader and advocate, Kevin has extensive experience in federal public policy, government relations, communications and association management. As President and CEO of the CAB, he works with broadcasters, government and regulators on the major policy and regulatory issues shaping the future of Canada's broadcasting system, including the sustainability of Canadian news and local media. He regularly represents Canada's private broadcasters before parliamentary committees, the CRTC and other government and regulatory bodies.
Prior to joining the CAB, Kevin served in senior public affairs roles with the Canadian Dental Association, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada and the Canadian Conference of the Arts. He also served for six years on the Board of Directors of the Government Relations Institute of Canada.
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