OWMA, September 28 – Chris Ballard, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, has been invited to address attendees at the Canadian Waste to Resource Conference (CWRC), taking place on October 25-26 at the Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls, ON.
Appointed to his new role on July 31, 2017, Ballard is one of several prominent people that have either been invited or are confirmed to speak at this year’s CWRC.
The native of King City, ON is tasked with leading Ontario's fight against climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and overseeing the province's transition to a low-carbon economy.
“We are extremely honoured to have so many high-profile and influential people speaking at this year’s event,” said Michele Goulding, Conference Manager and Ontario Waste Management Association’s Director Finance and Member services. “We have also extended invitations to other notable individuals, including Mr. Ballard.”
Ballard was first elected to the Ontario legislature in 2014 as the MPP for Newmarket-Aurora.
Previously, he was Minister of Housing and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy. Prior to that post, he was Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, and to the Minister of Government and Consumer Services.
Ballard has also served as a town councillor for Aurora, where he was Chair of the Economic Development Advisory Committee and of the Parks and Recreation Committee.
As a councillor, his focus was on developing a complete community and facilitating residents’ access to municipal government.
Ballard began his career as a journalist, starting with the Aurora Banner and Newmarket Era before moving on to daily journalism. He worked in public affairs for the Scarborough Board of Education and launched a public affairs company over 25 years ago. Ballard was president of the Public Affairs Association of Canada and was made an honourary Lifetime Member for his work and dedication.
He worked on behalf of Ontario consumers with both the Consumers' Association of Canada, where he was Executive Director of the Ontario group, and as a founding board member of the Consumers Council of Canada.
Ballard also has a first-hand understanding of Indigenous issues, having spent several years working for Dene and Gwich’in organizations in northern Canada.
For more on this year’s CWRC Program, including the extensive list of influential speakers, visit http://www.cw2rc.ca/cpages/program