PEO Western Region Technical Symposium

Opening Keynote Speaker 

A senior executive, engineer and leader with a distinguished career in the private and public sectors, including serving as the Minister of Transport in the Government of Canada. As a Cabinet Minister, Parliamentary Secretary and Member of Parliament, Omar worked on and delivered key initiatives that advanced Canada’s economic prosperity, security, and competitiveness. 

Omar holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Toronto Metropolitan University and an MBA from York University. Prior to running for office, Omar worked in different roles in the private sector including business development, quality assurance and operations with companies like GE and Ainsworth. Omar is currently the VP for Public Infrastructure with Bechtel Canada 

Topic: The future of transportation infrastructure 

Omar will be exploring the future of transportation infrastructure in Ontario. As former minister of Transport, he will present the future plans for highway infrastructure and sustainable methods of transportation for the next generation.

Breakout Session Speaker 

Alex has a Master’s degree in Engineering Project Management, and is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt. He is a Project Management Professional (PMP), a Certified Agile SCRUM Master (SMC), an Environmental Professional (EP), a Prosci Certified Change Practitioner (PCCP), and a Circular Economy Specialist (CES). 

Alex has over 33 years of quality and operational experience. He consults for Keurig Dr Pepper, Novartis, Montreal Children`s Hospital, Region of Peel, amongst others. Prior to consulting, Alex Boussetta was in management role at Bombardier, Rolls Royce, and Blackberry. 

Alex is the Program Leader for Operational Excellence at the McGill Executive Institute that encompasses AI and machine learning, Lean Six Sigma, Agile, and other transformational approaches. 

He holds a VIP award from General Electric, a Five Star Award from BlackBerry, and McGill Dean’s Service Award for Outstanding Contribution. His book, "Achieving Excellence," published in 2024, became a best seller in the business category on Amazon. 

Topic: AI and Large Language Models applications in healthcare 

From patient-centered care and virtual care to contact-free, home-based patient monitoring systems, advancements in technology and artificial intelligence are transforming accessibility and overall healthcare performance. Predictive health systems are increasingly being utilized to assess cancer risks and understand the effects of lifestyle choices on longevity. 

This presentation will provide an overview of the current landscape and discuss developments anticipated in the medium term. Additionally, emerging AI-related standards will be outlined, emphasizing the growing importance of effective risk management. The future is now. 

In this presentation, you will learn 

• What are the emerging technologies and practices in healthcare? 
• What role do engineers play in realizing these innovations? 
• How will engineers contribute to technology risk management?

Breakout Session Speaker 

Bilal Sherazi, P.Eng., FEC, is a Professional Engineer with 13 years of consulting experience in water, wastewater, and civil infrastructure. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from McMaster University and leads a multidisciplinary team specializing in the design and delivery of watermain, sewer, and water treatment infrastructure projects. Throughout his career, Bilal has served as a Project Manager, Design Engineer, and Contract Administrator, gaining extensive experience in both open-cut and trenchless construction methods, including micro-tunneling, horizontal directional drilling, and CIPP lining. His portfolio includes projects in complex environments such as high-traffic and space-constrained areas, watercourse and railway crossings, environmentally sensitive and utility-dense corridors, as well as within facilities with complex operational constraints. 

Topic: The Urban Squeeze: How Traffic, Utilities, and Public Expectations Shape Water Infrastructure Projects 

This presentation examines the challenges of upgrading water systems in congested urban corridors while minimizing construction impact. With limited space, aging utilities, and constant traffic demands, engineers must balance constructability with operational continuity. This session highlights how these competing pressures influence design decisions, construction staging, and risk management. It explores how to deliver projects that meet both technical and community expectations

Breakout Session Speaker 

Mitchell Rohrer is an Account Executive for HVAC Equipment at Johnson Controls, based in Hamilton, Ontario. He primarily covers the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and supports regions across Canada. Mitchell has been with Johnson Controls for over 10 years, bringing extensive experience in applications involving commercial and industrial HVAC equipment including YORK air handling units, chillers, heat pumps and commercial packaged equipment. 

He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario and an active volunteer with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Hamilton chapter, where he has also served as a past chapter president. Mitchell holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering & Management degree from McMaster University. 

Topic: Decarbonizing Building Thermal Systems and Electrification of Heating 

In this presentation, Mitchell will explore the importance of decarbonizing building thermal systems through the electrification of heating, focusing on the application of heat pump technologies, small and large. The goal is to provide an overview of emissions due to building operation in Ontario, the decarbonization landscape, and explain why building designs are opting for heat pump technology instead of fuel-burning technologies for their heating needs. By better understanding and applying heat pump technology, buildings can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Breakout Session Speaker

Peter Carr works on the radical impact of information technology on organizations and society and our response to it. He is the author and instructor of the University of Waterloo’s Watspeed certificate program in Digital Transformation which is delivered online, globally. He is also the author of the book, The Engineer’s Guide to Digital Transformation (2025), which is available from Engineering.com. Peter is an Associate Professor in the Department of Management Science and Engineering, in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo. 

He is the author and instructor of the award winning University of Waterloo Watspeed Digital Transformation online certificate program. He has authored course materials, simulations and case studies and recorded over 200 video interviews that are available on his Youtube channel and websites. His monthly articles on Engineering.com provide advice to practitioners. 

Peter has conducted over 25 projects in information technology's application in humanitarian development over the past 20 years with international NGOs. 

Topic: Challenges of Digital Transformation Projects 

Most organizations recognize that substantial technological change is necessary to survive in the digital age and yet most digital transformation projects fail. This session describes the most common contributors to failure and provides an assessment tool (developed for the University of Waterloo Watspeed Digital Transformation Certificate Program) that can be used to assess your project vulnerability and plan your response to it. 

Peter provides guidance on and support for the effective application of technology in organizations and works to understand and influence the impact that information technology is having in society.

Breakout Session Speaker

John Stephenson is the founder and president of Cambrium, an engineering firm specializing primarily in bridge engineering related services.  He has more than 30 years experience in the bridge engineering field, including design consulting, construction engineering and public sector project management.  His portfolio includes bridges of every major type for clients/owners ranging from municipalities to national ministries in both Canada and abroad.  John has presented and/or published papers at conferences and publications in Canada, North America, India, New Zealand and Japan.

John is a registered Professional Engineer in Ontario, British Columbia (non-practicing), and Michigan.  He holds a Bachelor of Engineering & Management (summa cum laude) and a Masters degree in Structural (Seismic) Engineering from McMaster University.  He is currently completing an Honours degree in Linguistics at Western University. 

Topic: Bridge Safety and Lessons from Collapses and Failures - Facts vs. Fiction

This presentation will examine the drivers of collapses and failures of bridges in recent times.  We will explore the manner in which bridges are inspected and whether these methods provide any assurance against major failure.  We will question whether jurisdictions have responded appropriately to failures with meaningful changes in policy or methodology.  We will also examine the claims of proponents of new technologies such as embedded sensors, machine learning and AI, and endeavor to separate facts from fluff.

Breakout Session Speaker 

Costa Kapsis is an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo. A building scientist and educator, he specializes in sustainable building design, focusing on energy efficiency, conservation, and solar energy in buildings and communities. His recent work includes building-integrated photovoltaics, surrogate energy models, and the electrification and climate resilience of cities. At the University of Waterloo, he co-leads the Climate Resilient and Intelligent Buildings (CRIB) research group, and he serves as an associate editor for the ASCE Journal of Architectural Engineering. 

Topic: Sparking the Energy Transition: Powering the Shift to All-Electric Buildings

This presentation introduces disruptive technologies that can accelerate the transition to fully electric, low-carbon buildings. It connects the promise of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and electric vehicles (EVs), as flexible, distributed energy resources, with the growing role of machine learning (ML) surrogate models that make high-performance design, retrofit analysis, and operational optimization faster and more scalable. Grounded in real-world application, the talk highlights how these tools can improve performance, resilience, and cost effectiveness while reducing emissions. A case study of the Evolv1 carbon-neutral building will illustrate how these approaches translate from concept to implementation.

Breakout Session Speaker

Nash Martis serves as a Principal at Stantec in Toronto, where he leads the electrical engineering practice with a deep-seated passion for the discipline and its multifaceted impact on the businesses and communities he works with. Nash is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of each project, from conceptualization through planning and design, to construction reviews and commissioning. 

Nash's extensive experience encompasses mission-critical applications in data centers, transportation, and water/wastewater installations, in addition to institutional, commercial, and industrial projects. Together with his team, Nash collaborates closely with public and private sector clients, forming multidisciplinary architectural and engineering teams to complete projects that are sustainable, safe, and reliable. His successful outcomes are characterized by a focus on longevity, scalability, and ease of use. 

Topic: Challenges of AI Data Center Deployments to the Existing Electrical Infrastructure 

As data centers transition to liquid-cooled systems to accommodate the significantly higher power densities associated with AI deployments, the impact on electrical infrastructure is considerable. This challenge is compounded by the need to align with broader electrification initiatives as companies aim for greener, more sustainable operations. Nash Martis will explore how the requirements of liquid cooling have put a strain on existing power distribution systems, including both utility and backup systems, and have increased the burden on the facility’s Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE). The discussion will cover strategies for managing PUE and optimizing energy efficiency during this transition, along with insights into future scalability and long-term planning for electrical needs.

Breakout Session Speaker 

Nav Jassi is a global growth leader, author, speaker, coach, and executive engineering professional with over two decades of experience at the intersection of modern technology, emotional intelligence, human potential, and spiritual principles. 

He challenges conventional thinking in engineering and leadership by shifting the conversation from short-term optimization to long-term stewardship of people, systems, and the planet. 

Nav has led global initiatives and high-performing teams in the tech industry, applying systems thinking and strategic precision to complex challenges. His ability to integrate this engineering mindset with deep emotional and psychological awareness gives him a uniquely holistic approach to growth and leadership.

Topic: The Future of Engineering Leadership: Building Leaders Who Think in Decades, Not Quarters 

Nav is the founder of Mind Your Growth™, a transformational framework that blends ancient wisdom, neuroscience, quantum energetics, and psychological alignment to help individuals and organizations grow from within—naturally, sustainably, and soulfully. Through this platform, he has impacted over 20,000 people worldwide, helping them shift from survival mode into lives of clarity, coherence, and conscious expansion. As a keynote speaker, executive coach, and transformation guide, Nav creates powerful spaces where growth isn’t just taught, it’s embodied. His work doesn’t just inspire change; it brings effortless growth in career, relationships, physical, mental and financial areas of life.

Breakout Session Speaker

Weina Chong is the Director of regulatory affairs, Bruce C at Bruce Power. She leads the exploration of new nuclear opportunities at Bruce Power and is responsible for the permitting and licensing activities for the proposed Bruce C project. 

With over 15 years of dedicated experience in the nuclear industry, she has seamlessly transitioned through diverse leadership roles at Bruce Power, encompassing engineering, strategic support, project management and construction, as well as supply chain, and business development. 

Weina has a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Waterloo and a Masters in Engineering in advanced design and manufacturing from the University of Toronto. She is also pursuing an executive MBA through the Western Ivey Business school. Weina is a strategic leader, who loves to solve problems and is passionate in promoting women and girls in STEM. Outside of work, Weina is also on the Women in Nuclear leading team for the Bruce Chapter supporting education and career development in girls and young women within the nuclear industry. 

Topic: Nuclear Power Generation and The Impact Assessment of Bruce C 

This presentation will provide an overview of Bruce Power’s current operations, including nuclear power generation, isotope production, and the broader energy demand/supply context, while outlining the company’s future ambitions through the proposed Bruce C project. It will highlight progress on the new build project and emphasize on the federally integrated impact assessment process, focusing on potential project impact on the environment, society, economy, and health, as well as impact on Indigenous peoples.

Speaker/Panelist

Mario F. Arenas is a Metallurgical/Material Engineer with MSc. and PhD. degrees from the University of Alabama.  Mario is a licensed professional engineer in Ontario. He has over 25 years of engineering experience in the metallurgical sector, having served in the Academia and industrial settings. Currently, he is the manager of the Metallurgical Department of Element Materials Technology in Cambridge, ON. Throughout his career, he has been exposed to all aspects of metal processing from mining to industrial production.

Panel:
Mario will share his expertise in Critical Minerals and its Importance for the Energy Transition
There is a worldwide interest to decarbonize our industrial activities in an effort to mitigate the effects of climate change. This involves the use of green technologies to replace the traditional energy matrix based on hydrocarbon resources.  Renewable energy sources such as solar plants, wind farms, and the electrification of the transportation all require the use of critical minerals. Most industrialized countries such as Canada have identified a list of minerals that must be produced or acquired through a reliable supply chain in order to meet their future energy needs. As panelist, Mario will provide an overview of the critical minerals supply, along with their specific uses and the challenges faced to start mines, produce minerals and refine them in a world with geopolitical tensions. 
 

Closing Keynote Speaker

Brad Duguid joined the Association of Major Power Consumers in Ontario (AMPCO) in the fall of 2024 and serves as President. 

Brad retired from public office in 2018 following a distinguished 30-year career in municipal and provincial politics. He served in multiple senior Cabinet roles, including Minister of Energy, Economic Development, Labour, Infrastructure, Research and Innovation, Training, Colleges and Universities, and Aboriginal Affairs. Prior to Queen’s Park, he was a City Councillor in Scarborough and Toronto for nine years. 

As Minister of Energy, Brad implemented the Industrial Conservation Initiative, a cornerstone policy that continues to reduce electricity costs for large industrial consumers while lowering system-wide costs. He also authored Ontario’s first comprehensive Long-Term Energy Plan. His leadership strengthened partnerships with Indigenous communities across Ontario, and as Minister of Economic Development, he helped modernize Ontario’s economic strategy for the global economy, including preserving MaRS, the province’s flagship innovation hub. 

As President of AMPCO, Brad is focused on ensuring Ontario’s large industrial electricity consumers have access to affordable, reliable power to remain competitive. He also continues to serve as Senior Counsel at Sussex Strategy Group.

Topic: The Survival of Ontario Industry 

In his closing keynote speech, Brad will discuss the competitiveness of Ontario's industrial sector, and its peril as a result of spiking industrial electricity prices. He will outline the cause and magnitude of increasing industrial electricity prices and some of the measures that need to be considered to mitigate this threat to the competitive viability of Ontario's industrial base during these challenging times.

Attendees are also invited to select from 3 panel discussions, where a moderator will host a panel of 4 guest speakers. Each panel discussion will also provide time for Q&A with the audience.

Selecting the Panel discussion is a great way to hear from multiple speakers during 1 (or all 3!) break-out session.

Each break-out session panel is designed around one of the three symposium themes;

Panel 1: Tomorrow's Infrastructure

Panelists: Omar Alghabra, Peter Carr, John Stephenson, Nav Jassi

Panel 2: Emerging technology

Panelists: Alex Boussetta, Bilal Sherazi, Nash Martis, Weina Chong

Panel 3: Sustainability and Energy

Mitchell Rohrer, Costa Kapsis, Brad Duguid, Mario Arenas