20 Mar, 2012

Gridlock Part II: the question of private sector funding and public transit

Gridlock Part II: the question of private sector funding and public transit

Toronto, ON/March 20, 2012 – In the second of a three-part speaker series, the Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance (IMFG) presents Moving Our Region: Transportation for the Future, at the Munk School of Global Affairs on March 26. Supported by Metrolinx, the second event will take a closer look at the role of the private sector in supporting transportation infrastructure development.

Moving Our Region: Transportation for the Future Speakers Series

March 26, 2012

Session 2: Move It: Private Sector and Public Transit: How Private Sector Participation Inspired Innovation and Helped Deliver the Canada Line Rapid Transit Project in Vancouver

Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto
Vivian and David Campbell Conference Facility
1 Devonshire Place
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Jane Bird will examine the relationship between government and the private sector and their respective roles in developing and operating transportation infrastructure. As part of her presentation, she will discuss how private sector participation in the development of the 19 km Canada Line in Vancouver inspired innovation and delivered the project on time and on budget. She will discuss the opportunities and challenges of engaging in public-private partnerships and assess the role the private sector can play in building transportation infrastructure and operating transportation services.

Guest Speaker: Jane Bird, President and CEO, Columbia Power Corporation

Prior to joining Columbia Power Corp., Jane Bird was the Chief Executive Officer of Canada Line Rapid Transit Inc. In her capacity as CEO, she was responsible for the management and implementation of the Canada Line, a $2 billion, 19 km rapid transit line connecting downtown Vancouver with Richmond and the Vancouver International Airport. Prior to her involvement with Canada Line, Ms. Bird was responsible for negotiations on behalf of the City of Vancouver with the Province of British Columbia for the Millennium Line rapid transit extension. Ms. Bird currently sits as a Director on the boards of Global Container Terminals Inc. and Simon Fraser University Community Corporation. She is also a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors and in 2009 she was awarded the Vancouver Board of Trade Spirit of Vancouver Outstanding Leadership Award.

Moderator: Doug Turnbull, Deputy Chairman, TD Securities

As Deputy Chairman of TD Securities, Doug Turnbull is responsible for executive coverage of sovereign, super-sovereign agencies, provincial, crown corporation, and quasi-government clients worldwide. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Turnbull was Managing Director, Global Head of Government Relations. He is also a member of Metrolinx’s Board of Directors. Mr. Turnbull has acted for government, corporate, infrastructure, and public sector clients on numerous public and private market transactions. In addition, he has advised and spoken publicly on various topics related to capital markets, debt management, credit ratings, provincial budgets, infrastructure financings, and privatizations.

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About IMFG

The Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance (IMFG), directed by Enid Slack, focuses on the finance and governance issues faced by large cities and city-regions in Canada and abroad and develops solutions to their problems. It is the only institute in Canada that focuses specifically on municipal finance issues and on large cities and city-regions. IMFG conducts original, independent research on cities in Canada and around the world; promotes high-level discussion among Canada’s government, academic, corporate, and community leaders through conferences and roundtables; supports graduate and post-graduate students to build Canada’s cadre of municipal finance and governance experts; and hosts visiting scholars to share perspectives from other cities. Research, presentations, and webcasts can be found at the website, https://imfg.org/.

 

For more information or to book an interview with Jane Bird, please contact:

Andrea Ellison
416-762-3672
andrea.ellison@rogers.com

 

Dr. Aaron Moore
a.moore@utoronto.ca