Amy Block
Governance Modernization IRL: Field Notes for the Brave
October 6 | 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Amy will moderate a panel of regulatory leaders from the health, legal and education sectors. Together, they will explore the realities of governance modernization and share lessons learned from regulatory amalgamations, legislative transitions and organization-led reform initiatives. In addition, the session will examine how regulators can build support for change, navigate political and organizational dynamics, and implement reforms that strengthen oversight, accountability and public confidence.
Ben Kates
A Question of Character: Licensing, Integrity, and the Public Interest
October 6 | 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Ben joins a cross-sector panel examining the role of character requirements in professional licensing and registration decisions. Using the Ontario Court of Appeal's decision in Law Society of Ontario v. AA as a focal point, panelists will discuss how regulators assess character, integrity and suitability for practice. They will also explore the relationship between character requirements and the public interest, as well as emerging approaches to evaluating applicants while maintaining public confidence in regulatory systems.
Debra McKenna
A (Not) Modest Proposal: The Rule of Law in an Age of Populism (Regulatory Edition)
October 7 | 3:18 p.m. - 3:25 p.m.
As part of a PechaKucha-style presentation, Debra will examine the rule of law as a foundational principle of Canada's regulatory and constitutional framework. Specifically, she will discuss challenges posed by growing populist movements and their impact on regulatory authority. Further, the session will highlight the importance of maintaining public confidence in regulatory institutions and the critical role regulators play in safeguarding the rule of law while serving the public interest.
