Brian Jean was sworn in as the Minister of Energy and Minerals on June 9, 2023. He previously served as the Minister of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development. Prior to his service as an elected official at the provincial level, Mr. Jean was a Member of Parliament from 2004 to 2014 where he served as the Parliamentary Secretary to 3 different Ministers of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. He has also previously dedicated 11 years to private legal practice as partner at a large Northern Alberta law firm, primarily as a litigator, and owned several successful small businesses. Mr. Jean holds a Bachelor of Laws as well as a Bachelor of Science and a Masters in Business Administration. Brian Jean was first elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Fort McMurray-Conklin May 5, 2015, and as the Member for Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche on March 16, 2022 and was re-elected on May 29, 2023.
René Legacy was first elected as MLA on September 14, 2020, in his riding of Bathurst West-Beresford and was re-elected in October 2024 in the redrawn riding of Bathurst. On November 4, 2024, he was sworn in as the Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance and Treasury Board, and Minister responsible for energy. Born and raised in the City of Bathurst, Rene Legacy built a successful career in the financial industry spanning a period of over 25 years, mostly comprised of executive roles with the Caisse populaires acadiènnes, then later named UNI Coopération Financière. Over those same years, Mr. Legacy has been an active community member in many leadership roles. Having the privilege of serving on many boards such as the Northern New Brunswick Airport Authority as president, Enterprise Chaleur as president, Conseil Canadien de la Coopération as Vice president, Conseil Économique du Nouveau Brunswick, ANBL as Audit Chair and more recently as chair of the Chaleur Regional Hospital Foundation $5M capital campaign. He was also instrumental in the revival of Bathurst Hospitality Days serving as president for many years and has been a strong advocate for early childhood literacy at a provincial level. His proudest accomplishment is having raised three successful sons, Christopher, Brandon and Stephen with his wife Brenda.
The Hon. Stephen F. Lecce is the Minister of Energy and Electrification for the Province of Ontario and the Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for King-Vaughan. As the Minister of Energy and Electrification, Stephen is dedicated to keeping energy costs down for residents and businesses across Ontario while building a reliable and affordable electricity system that is among the cleanest in the world. Notably, Ontario stands as the first jurisdiction in the G7 to build a grid-scale, small modular reactor (SMR). This innovative technology will play a vital role in powering economic growth and increasing electrification across the province. In his mission to expand the electricity resources to meet future demands, Stephen engages with leaders from Ontario's world-class energy sector and partners, including Indigenous communities, local distribution companies, transmission companies, and energy agencies. Stephen's efforts will further leverage Ontario's clean energy advantage, ensuring the province is poised to support historic investments while meeting the energy needs of tomorrow. Stephen's political journey began in his hometown of Vaughan, where he actively participated in the 1999 election of the late MPP Al Palladini. Since then, he has served in various influential roles, including as the Chief Spokesperson for former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Deputy Government House Leader, and Minister of Education. A committed community leader, Stephen has devoted over half his life to public service. He continues to support the people of King-Vaughan as MPP and remains involved as the former First Vice President of the National Congress of Italian Canadians, an active member of the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce, and the former Youth Education Chair of Vaughan’s Royal Canadian Legion (Mackenzie Branch 414). Living in Vaughan, where he grew up, Stephen stays actively engaged in his community, ensuring that Ontario's energy future is bright and sustainable.
Tony has had a long and distinguished career in politics, law, and business spanning four decades. Tony served as a Member of Parliament from 2006 to 2019 and a member of the provincial legislature in Ontario from 1995 to 2003. At the federal level, Tony held senior portfolios in Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Cabinet, including Minister of Health, Minister of Industry and President of the Treasury Board. Among the many mandates given to him by the Prime Minister, he was tasked with initiating the cost reductions and business transformations that allowed for balancing the federal budget, and he negotiated the deal with Chrysler, GM, auto sector unions, and the US Government, which helped save the domestic auto sector in 2013. He also helped to fashion the first National Pandemic Plan and helped to establish the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and the Mental Health Commission. As Industry Minister, he initiated Canada’s Digital Strategy and later Canada’s open data strategy as part of the worldwide Open Government Partnership. Before federal politics, Tony Clement served in the cabinets of Ontario Premiers Mike Harris and Ernie Eves, where he was Minister of Transportation, Minister of the Environment, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Since leaving elected office in 2019, Tony has engaged with several entrepreneurial projects, led IT startup companies, and served on various IT and healthcare boards while providing strategic advice to clients nationally and internationally. He also served as Pierre Polievre’s fundraising director during the 2022 leadership campaign and was subsequently appointed to the Conservative Party’s fundraising committee. Today, Tony works internationally, with strong connections in the USA, UK, Europe, South America, Asia, and India. He is a trained lawyer who enjoys analyzing and supporting clients with strategic advice from legal, geopolitical, and financial perspectives. Tony hosts the daily television program “Boom and Bust” on The News Forum, focusing on business, the economy, tech and national security. He also co-hosts his regular podcast, “And Another Thing Podcast,” and hosts a monthly radio program. Tony Clement lives in Muskoka, Ontario, with his wife Lynne, a lawyer and successful author. They have three adult children.
Amir Vexler is president and chief executive officer of Centrus Energy Corp. He also serves on the company’s board of directors. Mr. Vexler has extensive experience in the nuclear fuel industry and a strong background in manufacturing, engineering services, commercial operations, and business development. Prior to joining Centrus, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Orano USA, overseeing Orano’s U.S. sales of nuclear fuel, decommissioning services, used nuclear fuel management, and medical isotopes as well as engineering and technology services for the federal government. Previously, Mr. Vexler spent 20 years at General Electric Company, where he served in a number of leadership positions, including Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, and Chief Operating Officer of Global Nuclear Fuels (GNF), a joint venture of GE and Hitachi. GNF is a global provider of nuclear fuel and related services. He earned a BASc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto and an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Mr. Engdahl has over a decade of exploration and project development experience, including community initiatives within the mining sector. Prior to joining NexGen in 201, he was employed by Claude Resources Inc. where he played an integral role in the initial expansion and delineation of the Santoy Gap gold deposit for what is now SSR Mining’s richest gold deposit located in Saskatchewan. As NexGen’s Vice-President Community, Mr. Engdahl played an integral role in the successful negotiation and execution of industry leading Benefit Agreements between NexGen and First Nations local to the Rook I Project. Mr. Engdahl began his career managing exploration programs for Search Minerals Inc. where, in 2011, his team was awarded the Explorer/Prospector of the Year Award for Newfoundland and Labrador, by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, Newfoundland and Labrador Branch. Mr. Engdahl was born and continues to reside in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He completed his undergraduate in geology from the University of Saskatchewan.
Christian POLAK graduated from the Nancy Engineering School of Geology (“ENSG”) as a Geologist Engineer in 1986 and is Senior Advisor at ORANO Mining in Strategy & Business Development. He joined the AREVA (now ORANO) in 2004, Manager Responsible for Front-End sales to Northern American utilities. Transferred in December 2006, to the newly formed Business Development and Strategy unit within AREVA’s mining business group. In particular Christian focuses on junior to mid-size mining companies and State Agencies with early stage mining project, to evaluate the Uranium resources potential out of ORANO Mining. Elected as the Chairman of the Uranium Group (Red Book) at the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) in Vienna. Prior to joining ORANO, Christian worked from Switzerland in Rare and Critical Metals (Exploration, Production and Trading)
Dale is the Director, Government Relations for Cameco Corporation. He has worked the majority of his career on energy and environment related topics in both the public and private sectors. His career began in the federal civil service in Canada where he provided strategic advice on energy, climate and nuclear safety policy issues at both Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC). Dale has also spent time in the private sector with ConocoPhillips Canada where he worked on innovation program design, climate and environmental issues.
Pierre Gratton was appointed President and CEO of the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) on June 1, 2011. Based in Ottawa, MAC is the national organization for the Canadian mining industry. Its members are engaged in mineral exploration, mining, smelting, refining and semi- fabrication. Prior to his appointment to MAC, Pierre was President and CEO of the Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC). From 1999-2008, Mr. Gratton served as Vice President, Sustainable Development and Public Affairs for the Mining Association of Canada (MAC). In this capacity, he was instrumental in the development of Towards Sustainable Mining, MAC’s flagship program that is gaining international recognition and adoption. In 2005-06, Mr. Gratton was honoured as a Distinguished Lecturer for the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM). Mr. Gratton is First Vice-President of the Interamerican Mining Society (SIM – Sociedad Interamericana de Mineria), former Chair of the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame, Co-chair of the Green Mining Initiative Advisory Committee and sits on the Board of Ottawa’s Thirteen Strings Chamber Orchestra. Mr. Gratton holds an M.A. degree in political science, a B.A. from McGill University, and a third- degree black belt.
As President of Westinghouse Canada, John leads the company’s strategic growth across its full suite of nuclear products and services in the Canadian market. A recognized leader in the energy sector, John previously served as President & CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA), where he was the industry’s voice both nationally and globally. Before that, he led the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) and held executive roles, including Senior Vice President at Empower Energies, a global integrator of advanced energy systems. John has served on the boards of major corporate and community organizations, including one of Canada’s largest electric utilities. He was also Canada’s Designate to the International Energy Agency’s Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (IEA-PVSP).
Michael provides practical advice to clients on key environmental, Indigenous and strategic aspects of developing, permitting and constructing energy, infrastructure, mining and real estate projects. He guides clients in their negotiations with Indigenous peoples and regulatory agencies, especially to resolve impasses, to advance complex, multi-party negotiations and to develop strong, mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous peoples. He also provides counsel on consultation and accommodation obligations as well as the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous peoples. Michael often crafts a practical, successful resolution to disputes whether acting as counsel, mediator or facilitator. His dispute resolution practice includes approval hearings, civil litigation (especially with respect to contamination), mediation, negotiation and regulatory prosecutions and other proceedings, including with respect to the Environmental Protection Act, Ontario Water Resources Act, Pesticides Act, Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, Fisheries Act and Nuclear Safety and Control Act. As part of Michael’s active transactional practice, he regularly assists buyers, sellers, lenders, borrowers, underwriters and investors through all the environmental and Indigenous aspects of transactions, from the design and coordination of deal-specific liability assessments, through the negotiation of agreements and in handling closing and post-closing details. For existing operations in a wide range of sectors, Michael provides regulatory advice on a broad range of environmental, health and safety issues, including with respect to environmental assessments and other vital permits, including for electricity generation and transmission, water, wastewater, transportation, waste, mine and remediation/closure projects inspections; investigations; liability assessments; climate change; contaminated sites; air, renewable energy, sewage and other approvals. He also advises on the transportation, import and export of dangerous goods, nuclear substances, hazardous products and wastes.
Norm, as he is known by his friends and colleagues, built his extensive knowledge base on an early technical and regulatory foundation, leading to key C-Suite Nuclear Industry Executive roles. Norm’s distinguished career in the energy field has included extensive experience in both the commercial operation, and the regulation of, large Canadian nuclear generation facilities. His significant knowledge and extensive experience have been recognized by the Government of Canada with his ‘Governor General in Council’ appointment as a member to the National Research Council, regarded as Canada’s premier science and engineering institution. Norm has previously served as President & Chief Executive Officer at ARC Clean Energy Canada Inc., a Small Modular Reactor technology vendor. Before these roles, Norm served in key Nuclear Industry Leadership roles such as the Executive Vice President & Chief Nuclear Officer at Bruce Power, which is the only privately owned nuclear operator in Canada, and at that time, was the largest nuclear generating site in the world. Additionally, Norm served in senior leadership roles at the Hydro Quebec Gentilly-2 nuclear generating station and at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. Early in his career, Norm fulfilled several key roles at the New Brunswick Point Lepreau Generating Station, including holding a license to operate the nuclear facility. Internationally, Norm spent time assisting the World Association of Nuclear Operators. Norm’s distinguished career in the energy field has included significant experience in both the commercial operation, and the regulation of, large Canadian nuclear generation facilities, as well as supporting several Small Modular Nuclear Reactor (SMNR) technology and deployment approaches and reviews, including industrial SMNR integration strategies for large energy corporations. Currently, through ION Nuclear Consulting Limited, Norm provides Canadian and International clients with extensive knowledge and experience to support the design, development and successful implementation of various proven strategies and approaches to enhance performance, support business opportunities and assist Investors, Banks and Executive Teams with critical decision making.
Pam Schwann is the President of the Saskatchewan Mining Association (SMA), representing companies that are engaged in the safe and responsible exploration, development and production of minerals within Saskatchewan. Pam has a wealth of experience building relationships and understanding amongst exploration and mining companies, suppliers, communities and governments to advance a safe, sustainable and globally competitive exploration and mining industry in Saskatchewan that benefits all residents of the province, Canada and the world. Pam has a Bachelor of Science, Honours – Geology from the University of Regina and a Master of Science from Carleton University in Ottawa. She is a registered Professional Geoscientist with APEGS. In 2022 she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition of significant contributions to Saskatchewan’s business community.
Tracy Primeau began her career in 1990 at the Ontario Power Generation Pickering Nuclear Generating Station as a Nuclear Operator in Training and was qualified as a Nuclear Operator at Pickering A in 1992. Three years later, she moved home to Kincardine and became a qualified Nuclear Operator at Bruce A, progressing to Authorized Nuclear Operator and eventually to Shift Manager in 2010. She is one of the few women (and the only Indigenous one) to become a CNSC licensed operator at Bruce Power (the first at Bruce A) and the only female Shift Manager to work her way up from the shop floor. Ms. Primeau is also a mentor and role model to many men and women in the energy sector, often sharing insights from her nuclear career at conferences, professional development events and other initiatives. She offers insights on diversity, women in STEM and Indigenous relationship building through her company Agile Bear. Tracy is a proud member of the Nipissing First Nation and was a founding member of the Ontario Hydro Native Circle in 1992 and was the first Chair of the Bruce Power Native Circle, a position she held for many years. She strives to use the Seven Grandfather Teachings in her leadership every day. Raising her two boys with her husband Dave, Tracy has always been active in her community. Tracy currently serves on the Board of Directors for Women in Nuclear Canada, Ontario Power Generation, Ingenium, United College Board of Governors and the University of Waterloo. Within her community, she actively strives to establish creative and lasting solutions for the systemic hurdles faced by Indigenous populations. Among her many aspirations is the global expansion of clean energy, with a special focus on extending its benefits to remote Indigenous communities across Canada and equity partnerships on the path to economic reconciliation.
Jamie Fairchild is the Nuclear Energy Agency’s Uranium and Nuclear Fuel Analyst. He has more than 20 years of experience in the uranium exploration, mining, and nuclear energy sectors. Prior to joining the Agency, he was responsible for managing Canada’s uranium and nuclear fuel portfolio for Natural Resources Canada. During that time, he led Canada’s multi- lateral nuclear fuel collaboration efforts and represented Canada as their delegate to the joint NEA/IAEA Uranium Group, including as Vice-Chair. Jamie has also served as Chair of the Bureau for the IAEA’s Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage during which time he led efforts to operationalize the treaty.
