RailCAN25
Connect with Industry Leaders at Canada’s Premier Rail Conference
Join top industry executives, policymakers, and government officials in the heart of Canada’s capital for a can’t-miss event focused on the future of rail. This national conference and industry showcase will feature in-depth discussions on the critical issues shaping rail in Canada—from its role in driving economic growth and supporting supply chains, to advancements in passenger and commuter safety, innovation, and technology. Gain valuable insights and engage in meaningful dialogue that’s helping to define the future of rail.
The Industry Showcase will feature cutting-edge products, services, and technologies that are shaping the future of rail. It’s a unique opportunity to connect with leading suppliers and innovators from across the sector. Details on exhibitor opportunities and sponsorship packages can be found below.
When:
November 26-27, 2025
Location:
Rogers Centre Ottawa (formerly Shaw Centre), 55 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON
Hotel Information:
The Railway Association of Canada has preferred rates at the following hotels:
ALT Hotel (15-minute walk)
185 Slater Street, Ottawa, ON [ Rate: $204/night ]
To book a room, click here
Westin Hotel (beside the Rogers Centre)
11 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON [ Rate: $305/night ]
To book a room, click here
Our Platinum Sponsors
Our Gold Sponsors
Draft Agenda
November 26-27, 2025Canada Hall 3, Rogers Centre Ottawa (formerly Shaw Centre), 55 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON
| DAY 1 | November 26 |
|---|---|
| Times | Session |
08:00 – 09:00 | Registration and breakfast in exhibit space |
09:00 – 09:15 | Welcome Eric Harvey, President and CEO, Railway Association of Canada |
09:15 – 10:00 | State of the Canadian Economy: Rail’s Impact and What’s Ahead Professor Trevor Tombe, Professor of Economics, University of Calgary |
10:00 – 10:30 | Break in exhibit space |
10:30 – 11:15 | Labour Disruptions and Work Stoppages: Building Toward Stability Professor Rafael Gomez, Director, Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources, University of Toronto |
11:15 – 12:15 | Building Effective Partnerships: Tools and Approaches for Indigenous Engagement As Indigenous participation in major projects continues to grow, this session focuses on how organizations can move beyond consultation to meaningful collaboration. Hear from speakers who will share proven approaches to partnership and introduce insights into a new Indigenous engagement toolkit designed to help members apply these principles in practice. Thomas Benjoe, Founding Partner, OneHoop and Founding Partner & CEO, FLOWING RIVER CAPITAL Marian Ngo, President and Managing Partner, Vallar Partners |
12:15 – 13:30 | Lunch in exhibit space Keynote presentation by The Honourable James Moore, P.C., M.A. |
13:30 – 14:30 | Railways and Resilience: Navigating Economic Headwinds Tony Hatch, Senior Transportation Analyst, ABH Consulting |
14:30 – 15:30 | Moving Economies: Supply Chains, Growth, and Investment in Canada Explore how bold solutions and smarter policies can strengthen supply chains, accelerate investment, and modernize Canada’s approach to labour and infrastructure. Moderator: Eric Harvey, President and CEO, Railway Association of Canada Scott Ross, Executive Director, Canadian Federation of Agriculture Isabelle Des Chênes, Executive VP, Chemistry Industry Association of Canada Paul Hébert, Vice President, Communications, The Mining Association of Canada David Adams, President, Global Automakers of Canada |
15:30 – 16:00 | Break in exhibit space |
16:00 – 16:45 | Political Overview Bruce Anderson, Chief Strategy Officer, Partner, Co-Founder, spark*advocacy |
16:45 | Closing remarks Eric Harvey, President and CEO, Railway Association of Canada |
17:30 – 20:00 | Awards Ceremony – Queen St. Fare, 170 Queen St., Ottawa ON |
| DAY 2 | November 27 |
|---|---|
| Times | Session |
08:00 – 09:00 | Registration and breakfast in exhibit space |
09:00 – 09:05 | Welcome Eric Harvey, President and CEO, Railway Association of Canada |
09:05 – 10:05 | Safety Culture Dr. Mark Fleming, Professor, St. Mary’s University |
10:05 – 11:05 | Innovation and technology Moderator: Ben Chursinoff, Manager, Policy, Environment and Programs, Railway Association of Canada Kelly Keith, Chief Engineering – Capital Planning, Logistics, Technology and Track Standards, CN Jason Pierosara, Business Development Officer, National Research Council Canada James Mutcher, Director, Mechanical & Equipment, Cando Rail & Terminals |
11:05 – 11:35 | Break in exhibit space |
11:35 – 12:05 | Operation Lifesaver Chris Day, National Director, Operation Lifesaver Canada |
12:05 – 13:15 | Lunch in exhibit space |
13:15 – 14:15 | Keeping Riders Safe: A Commitment to Passenger and Commuter Rail Safety Moderator: Michael Barfoot, Senior Director, Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Railway Association of Canada Janna Dewar, Director, Cybersecurity & Architecture, VIA Rail Canada Kira Cailes, Director Safety, Risk & Compliance, Rocky Mountaineer Elena Kroupa, Director of IT Security, Metrolinx |
14:15 – 15:15 | Showcasing Rail Adaptation to Extreme Weather Events Moderator: Steve McCauley, Senior Director, Pollution Probe Dr. Quentin Chiotti, Principal, QPC Consulting Matt Kretch, Chief, Rail and Aviation RD&D, Innovation Centre, Transport Canada and Bharath Rajendran, Engineering Officer, Rail RD&D, Innovation Centre, Transport Canada |
15:15 – 15:45 | Break in exhibit space |
15:45 – 16:45 | Health and Safety Moderator: Michael Barfoot, Senior Director, Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Railway Association of Canada Dr. Ahmed Elmezughi, Chief Medical Officer, CN Dr. George Lambros, Chief Medical Officer, CPKC |
16:45 | Closing remarks Eric Harvey, President and CEO, Railway Association of Canada |
Speakers
Meet our incredible lineup of speakers and panelists.
Professor Trevor Tombe
Trevor Tombe is a Professor of Economics at the University of Calgary and Director of Fiscal and Economic Policy at The School of Public Policy. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and the MEI, a Fellow at the Public Policy Forum, and co-director of Finances of the Nation.
Professor Rafael Gomez
Rafael Gomez is a Full Professor of Employment Relations in Human Resources at the University of Toronto. Many of you may know Rafael from his many publications. Others may have seen or heard him in the media as he has been a frequent guest on radio, TV and other media.
Thomas Benjoe
Thomas Benjoe is an Indigenous Business Leader and Entrepreneur from Muscowpetung First Nation. He is currently a Founding Partner & CEO of Flowing River Capital, an Indigenous Private Equity Firm, and Founding Partner at OneHoop, an Indigenous Advisory firm based in Saskatchewan.
Marian Ngo
Marian is a problem-solver and strategic implementer who has successfully delivered major projects, programs, initiatives, and policies.
Tony Hatch
Anthony b. Hatch was honored by being named the 2019 North American Rail Shippers association (NARS) “person of the year”.
Tony has been a senior transportation analyst on wall street for over thirty years, starting at major financial institutions (Salomon brothers; Argus, PaineWebber, NatWest markets) prior to starting his independent analyst/consultancy at the turn of the century.
Scott Ross
Scott Ross has been the Executive Director of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture since 2022. Prior to that Scott served as CFA’s Assistant Executive Director and Director of Farm Policy, where he covered a wide variety of agricultural issues.
Isabelle Des Chênes
Isabelle Des Chênes joined CIAC in November 2017 and is the focal point for policy development and advocacy on policies affecting chemistry and plastics in Canada related to chemicals policy and health, climate change and air quality, transportation economics and regulatory issues, and business investment and competitiveness.
Paul Hébert
Paul is responsible for corporate communications, issues management, media relations, social media, publications, and annual advertising campaigns. Paul works with MAC’s policy experts, members, stakeholders and partners to develop and implement communications plans, strategies and activities to support the entire breadth of the MAC’s objectives.
David Adams
David Adams has more than 35 years of experience in the Canadian automotive industry. He brings a unique perspective to the industry being the only individual to have served in executive roles with both of Canada’s leading automotive industry associations.
Bruce Anderson
Bruce Anderson has been one of Canada’s leading market and opinion researchers for more than 30 years, and a leading commentator, and counsellor, on current events and political affairs in Canada.
Dr. Mark Fleming
Dr. Mark Fleming is a Professor of Psychology at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax and, from 2013 to 2018, served as the CN Professor of Safety Culture, the first appointment of its kind. He leads SMU’s Safety Culture Research Group, where his team develops practical, evidence-based tools that help organizations strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of their safety management systems.
Jason Pierosara
Jason Pierosara serves is a senior Manager of Business Development for the National Research Council of Canada’s Resilient Ground Transportation program, where he leads efforts to establish unique and effective research collaborations that advance rail technology for NRC’s clients and Canada’s transportation landscape. Since joining NRC in 2010, Jason has held various management positions, with a strong focus on client engagement, earning awards for teamwork and account development in the process.
James Mutcher
James has more than 15 years of mechanical experience in the rail industry. As the Director of Mechanical & Equipment for Cando Rail & Terminals, James ensures Cando’s locomotive and equipment fleet provides exceptional service to new and existing customers.
Chris Day
Chris has served as National Director of Operation Lifesaver Canada since January 2024. His vast experience in the public affairs space includes counseling CEOs, Crown ministers, and other senior leaders. Chris has been recognized as a transformative leader in senior government and C-suite roles.
Janna Dewar
Janna Dewar is a cybersecurity leader with 20 years of experience in technology and cybersecurity. Her career in cybersecurity began at McGill University in the IT Security Team, addressing computer threats and supporting key cybersecurity platforms. Known for her strategic vision and commitment to innovation, Janna emphasizes best practices, risk-based decision-making, and clear communication to ensure operational resilience against evolving cyber threats.
Kira Cailes
Kira Cailes brings over 25 years of experience in safety and risk management. She began her career in the ski industry, holding leadership roles in operations before moving into risk management. At Whistler Blackcomb, Kira served on the Senior Leadership Team, overseeing guest and employee safety, incident investigations, and compliance with numerous regulatory bodies.
Elena Kroupa
Elena Kroupa is the Director of IT Security at Metrolinx, the Ontario government agency responsible for planning, integrating, and operating regional transit across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Since 2021, she has led the organization’s cybersecurity program, overseeing Security Governance, Risk & Compliance, Cybersecurity Architecture, and the Cybersecurity PMO—advancing cyber resilience across Metrolinx’s IT and OT environments and supporting its long-term transportation mandate.
Quentin Chiotti
Dr. Quentin Chiotti is an independent consultant with over 30 years of experience in the field of environmental risk and has a long track record of collaborative research, engagement, implementation and action. Through his extensive education, experience and employment history, Dr. Chiotti is considered as a thought leader and subject matter expert on climate risk and resiliency.
Bharath Rajendran
Bharath is an engineer with the Innovation Centre’s Rail and Aviation RD&D team. He has been working at Transport Canada in research and development since 2024, focusing on rail projects. Prior to joining TC, he completed his studies at Concordia University in Montreal, where he conducted research on developing condition assessment and prediction models for railway tracks.
Dr. Ahmed Elmezughi
A general physician by training with a strong focus on and expertise in occupational medicine. He holds a designation of Associate of Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine.
Served as a Reg Force medical officer with the Canadian Military and as Medical Director and Officer for various Oil & Gas companies. Expertise in Workplace management of drug and alcohol programs and served as Medical Review Officer of Drug alcohol testing programs.
Dr. George Lambros
Chief Medical Officer and Corporate Physician CPKC
Co-Chair Medical Advisory Group of the Railway Association of Canada.
James Moore
James Moore is a public policy adviser at the global firm Edelman and a corporate director. He previously served as Canada’s Minister of Industry, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Secretary of State for the Asia Pacific Gateway and Minister for the 2010 Olympics over a five-term, 15-year career as a Member of Parliament.
Registration
Online registration is now closed. On-site registration will be available.
Cancellation policy:
All registration, sponsor and exhibit fees are non-refundable. Should you need to cancel your registration, sponsorship or exhibit booth, a credit in the amount of said fee (less a $50 administrative fee) will be issued to you for a future annual RailCAN event. If RAC cancels or postpones RailCAN25, you will receive a full credit for your registration for a future RailCAN event.
There is no credit given for cancellations that occur within 14 days of the event.
Exhibitor information:
Please click here to view the exhibitor brochure and complete the form to reserve your booth.
Sponsorships:
Please click here to explore our sponsorship opportunities and secure your sponsorship package.