EnviroCentre’s Annual Symposium
Connecting the
Dots on Transit.
March 28 | 9:30am – 3:00pm
National Arts Centre, Canada Room
1 Elgin Street Ottawa, ON K1P 5W1
Every year, EnviroCentre’s Symposium brings together residents, businesses, organizations, and decision-makers to explore practical solutions to pressing climate challenges. This year, we’re Connecting the Dots on Transit—and we want you to be part of the conversation.
A great transit system isn’t just about getting around; it’s the backbone of a thriving, inclusive, and resilient city. It makes communities accessible, boosts local economies, and gives everyone the freedom to move safely and sustainably.
To make that happen in Ottawa, we need bold ideas, fresh perspectives, and real collaboration.
That’s why we’re convening leaders, innovators, and community voices to spark a new conversation around transit, and to explore bold pathways towards a better-connected future.
Join us on Friday, March 28, for a full day of conversation and inspiration, featuring:
- Keynote presentations from transit and climate leaders
- Panels that highlight innovative ideas and practical solutions
- Interactive discussions to reimagine Ottawa’s transit future: We will ask for your ideas when you register.
- Networking opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals
Enjoy a low-carbon (vegetarian) lunch, along with coffee, tea, and snacks available throughout the day.
The cost for participating is $65 (if you are also joining us for the Keynote Talk with Anna Zivarts, the cost for attending both events is $75).
If you are interested in learning, sharing your perspective or meeting others who are interested in transit in Ottawa, this event is for you!
A big thank you to our sponsors
Agenda
9:30 – 10:00 AM
Networking and registration
10:00 – 10:20 AM
Welcome and introduction to the day
10:20 – 10:30 AM
Opening remarks by Renée Amilcar, General Manager of OC Transpo
10:30 – 11:10 AM
Keynote by Anna Zivarts followed by a Q&A session
11:10 AM – 12:00 PM
Community-led discussion tables
12:00 – 12:45 PM
Lunch – Sponsored by the Ottawa Climate Action Fund (OCAF). A low carbon, vegetarian and vegan lunch will be provided. Remarks by OCAF.
12:45 – 1:30 PM
Panel 1:
Innovative Approaches to Increasing Funding and Ridership
Panelists:
Emily Becker is currently a Project Manager and New England Sustainable Mobility Lead within AECOM’s Transportation Planning group, overseeing Transportation Demand Management (TDM) and Transportation Planning projects in New England and Canada. Her work blends the principals of TDM and Transportation Planning to deliver holistic and impactful projects for her clients. In 2023, Emily was honoured with the Association for Commuter Transportation’s 40 Under 40 award. This award recognises individuals with exemplary accomplishments, leadership, and contributions to TDM. She is an avid cyclist and rural transit user.
Kari Glynes Elliott lives and works in Ottawa and commutes by public transit. She is a co-founder and board member of the Ottawa Transit Riders, an advocacy group for better public transit that seeks to be the “voice” of transit riders. Ottawa Transit Riders staffs tables at events all over the city and holds forums for transit riders to talk about their experiences.
Cassie Smith is the Transportation Demand Management Strategic Lead at EnviroCentre. EnviroCentre is a leading regional provider of practical initiatives that reduce emissions and environmental impact in our communities. With 42% of Ottawa’s emissions coming from the transportation sector, EnviroCentre focuses on shifting towards transit, active transportation, electric vehicles and micro-mobility. She will discuss funding transit as a climate solution and how transit can be integrated with other modes to reduce emissions.
Moderator:
Glen Gower is the City Councillor for Stittsville – Ward 6 and the chair of the City of Ottawa’s Transit Committee. He was elected as councillor in 2018 and 2022. Twice nominated for the Roger Griffiths Memorial Citizen of the Year, he has served in a leadership role for several community associations and boards including the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre (WOCRC), Heritage Ottawa, the Stittsville Village Association, and the Fairwinds-Poole Creek Community Association. He maintains an OC Transpo Dashboard updated monthly with the latest data at https://www.glengower.ca/octranspo/.
1:35 – 2:20 PM
Panel 2:
Deploying Data Pilots to Ignite Change
Panelists:
Michelle Babiuk is a planning leader with experience in transportation and infrastructure planning, design, implementation and operations. She is currently TransLink’s Senior Manager of Transit Planning where she leads team developing plans for transit service, fleet and infrastructure. This includes planning for the conventional system of buses, trains and passenger ferries, for paratransit and for service to First Nations reserves and treaty lands. She has consistently brought to this work her experience as a daily transit user and cyclist, and her passion for improving people’s experiences walking, cycling, taking transit and living in transit oriented neighbourhoods
Dan Hendry is the co-founder and driving force behind the Get on the Bus movement, driven by Small Change Fund. A passionate advocate for public transportation and youth empowerment, Dan has spent over a decade promoting public transportation options and engaging young people in their communities. Dan’s work on the Kingston Transit High School Bus Pass program inspired the Get on the Bus movement, and his dedication and leadership have been instrumental in its success.
Moderator:
Sheryl-Ann Simpson is an Associate Professor at Carleton University in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. Her research and teaching are informed by an interest in the ways in which states and communities interact in place. She is the co-author of the research report “Public Transit and Equity-Deserving Groups: Understanding Lived Experiences” with Orly Linovski and Heather Dorries.
2:20 – 2:50 PM
Discussing solutions together
2:50 – 3:00 PM
Wrap up