Description:

Business casual attire

This year’s Opening Plenary Session will begin with welcome remarks from conference dignitaries and transition to a panel discussion offering diverse perspectives on the 2025 Conference theme, “Building a Sustainable Transportation Legacy.” Sarah Wells, Executive Director of TAC, will serve as the moderator, and the panel will comprise transportation leaders from federal, provincial, and municipal governments:

• • Frédéric Pellerin , Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable (Québec)
  Frédéric holds a degree in geological engineering and a master’s degree focused on the recycling of road materials. He is the Assistant Deputy Minister for Engineering and Infrastructure at the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable du Québec, as well as the Canada–Québec First Delegate to the World Road Association (PIARC). A member of the board of directors of TAC and part of its Chief Engineers’ Council, he has over 20 years of experience in road infrastructure project management, contract management, and major road projects.


• • Stephanie Hébert , Transport Canada
  Stephanie was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister, Programs Group, at Transport Canada in Ottawa in July of 2021. With over 25 years in public service, she was an ADM at Employment and Social Development Canada, and held executive roles with Service Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat, and Canadian Heritage. Her leadership spans communications, stakeholder relations, federal–provincial affairs, service transformation, and program delivery. Stephanie holds a BA from Carleton University, a Master’s in Professional Communication from Royal Roads University, and certificates in Public Sector Leadership and Governance.


• • Lon LaClaire , City of Vancouver
  As the General Manager of Engineering Services at the City of Vancouver, Lon oversees 2,200 staff and $800M in annual operating and capital budgets. Passionate about “city building”, he leads the design, construction, and maintenance of public infrastructure and directs planning and regulatory functions across the city’s largest department to deliver key services, including transportation, water, sewers, waste management, and district energy. With over 20 years in the Transportation Division, Lon previously served as Director of Transportation. He holds degrees from Concordia University and the University of Calgary in engineering.

Together, the panel will explore what it means to build a sustainable legacy, highlight local and national initiatives, and reflect on how governments can collaborate more effectively to advance shared transportation priorities. The discussion will include an opportunity for the audience to ask questions.

This event will be recorded and made available to registered delegates after the conference.