IISD, Balsillie talk sustainability policy at Toronto event

TORONTO—January 30, 2014—At an IISD event last night, Jim Balsillie argued that Canada must embrace the idea that sustainable development and healthy economic growth are compatible and move policy forward on that basis.

Balsillie delivered keynote remarks at a special International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) event at the Gardiner Museum on Wednesday, Jan. 29. His speech, entitled “Making Sustainability Good Business” also made a clear case for protection and advancement of intellectual property rights as a means of spurring innovation, particularly in the environmental and clean technology sectors.

The IISD-organized special dinner event brought together 100 members of Toronto’s business and sustainability communities for the Balsillie address, as well as an update on the institute’s global and Canadian initiatives. IISD president Scott Vaughan closed the evening with an overview of recent activities and impact.
 
Jim Balsillie is co-founder and former co-CEO of Research in Motion (BlackBerry), and founder and current chair of the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), an international governance think tank.
 
For more information please contact Joel Trenaman, Director, Communications and Publishing, at jtrenaman@iisd.ca or +1 204 958 7731.

Jim Balsillie spoke to 100 members of Toronto's business and sustainability communities.

IISD President Scott Vaughan and Distinguished Fellow Maurice Strong.

IISD board vice-chair Michael Vukets, CIGI Chair Jim Balsillie and IISD President Scott Vaughan.

IISD's Jo-Ellen Parry and Maggie Gorman Velez of IDRC.

IISD President Scott Vaughan, Gail Asper and IISD Senior Fellow Dr. Michael Paterson.

IISD VP Janice Gair, Jessica Boyle of Delphi Group and Jane Pagel, OCWA.

IISD VP Mark Halle, board member Alan Young and VP William Glanville.

IISD VP Janice Gair and Senior Fellow Dr. Michael Paterson.

Blair Feltmate, University of Waterloo; Bob Oliver, Pollution Probe; and Tom Ewart, Co-operators.

IISD board member Andrea Moffat, IISD President Scott Vaughan and Julia Langer, Toronto Atmospheric Fund.

IISD Bioeconomy Team Leader Matthew McCandless with Frank Kennedy and Anne Neary of the Ontario government.

Brendan Guy, Jacob Scherr of NRDC, with IISD VP Janice Gair.

IISD board Canadian vice-chair Michael Vukets introduces Jim Balsillie.

IISD VP Business Development Hank Venema and board member Alan Young.

Neil Desai, Chief of Staff to the Minister of International Cooperation (on right).

Greg Kiessling, Executive Chairman, Bullfrog Power Inc. (on right).

Natalia Moudrak (on left) speaks with other attendees.

IISD staff members Matthew McCandless, Dimple Roy, Melissa Harris, Jo-Ellen Parry and Hank Venema.

Guests included IISD board member Vicky Sharpe, Elizabeth Dowdeswell O.C., Gordon and Pat McBean and Ontario infrastructure and transportation minister Glen Murray.

Event guests mingle before dinner.

The Gardiner Museum was a perfect venue for the occasion.

Lively discussions set a great tone for the night.

Guests listening to Scott Vaughan describe the work of IISD.