In 2022, the Canadian aerospace industry contributed over $27B in GDP and close to 212,000 jobs to the Canadian economy, an increase of 14,400 jobs from the previous year. Canada is the only country that ranked in the top 5 across civil flight simulator, engine, and aircraft sub- segments in 2022.* With growth and interest, how will the ever-evolving aviation industry rise to the challenges of climate change?
Join Canadian Club Toronto on October 5 for a dynamic conversation on the decarbonization of the aerospace industry with industry leaders across sectors including Deborah Flint, CEO of Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), Benoît Schultz, CEO of Airbus Canada and Valerie Durand, Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Sustainability at Air Canada. Moderated by Anthony Norejko, President and CEO of the Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA), the panel will discuss the aviation industry’s zero-emission targets and associated challenges and highlight some of the industry’s current trends and opportunities for the future of aeronautics in Canada.
*Canada’s Aerospace Industry Figures 2022 by AIAC
For virtual attendees, please note that the live stream will begin at approximately 12:40pm ET & the link will be provided closer to the event date*
Valérie Durand
Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Sustainability, Air Canada
Valérie Durand is Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Sustainability for Air Canada. In this role, she is official spokesperson for Investor Relations, leads Air Canada’s philanthropy, environmental and social impact strategies, including through the Air Canada Foundation (a registered, not-for-profit charity which focuses on the well-being of children and youth). She also leads the Linguistic Action Plan implementation and the Linguistic Solutions team. She is responsible for the communication, integration and promotion of Air Canada’s sustainability efforts, and all aspects of Corporate and ESG reporting. Prior to this role, Valérie was Senior Counsel, Commercial & Legal Services Director. She was active in the general management of the Air Canada Legal Department and was responsible for supporting and championing the effective and efficient delivery of best-in-class legal services to Air Canada and subsidiary client groups, on matters of strategic importance to Air Canada. Before joining Air Canada in 2007, Valérie held other legal counsel positions in the energy and construction industry, and worked as a flight attendant with Air Canada. Valérie holds a Civil Law degree from the Université de Montréal and has been a member of the Quebec Bar since 2003. She holds a Global Competent Boards Designation (GCB.D), is an active philanthropic board member, and the proud mother of two girls, aged 10 and 5.
Deborah Flint
President & Chief Executive Officer Greater Toronto Airports Authority
Deborah Flint is a vision-driven, Canadian-born business leader with over 25 years of experience in the international aviation industry. Ms. Flint is the President and CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), operator of Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada’s largest airport and the sixth-most connected airport in the world.
Pearson is a recognized innovator in health and science innovation and is strategically focused on sustainability and building the airport of the future.
Ms. Flint has a track record of spearheading airport infrastructure and transformation, including the BART Airport Rail Connector Project; and as the Chief Executive Officer of Los Angeles World Airports (LAX, VNY), Flint implemented a $14 billion airport modernization plan, including securing the largest public works contracts in the city’s history. Flint initiated the construction of the program now, halfway completed including a rail system, the largest rental car facility in the US, and modernization of almost every terminal.
Ms. Flint is a Director of the Airports Council International World Governing Board, and the Toronto Region Board of Trade. She formerly served as a Director on the Federal Reserve Bank (San Francisco Branch), and as Chair of the National Academy of Science’s Airport Cooperative Research Program. She is a proud recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from Toronto Metropolitan University.
Benoît Schultz
Chief Executive Officer, Airbus Canada
Benoît Schultz was appointed Chief Executive Officer, Airbus Canada, effective 1st September 2021.
Mr. Schultz joined Airbus in 2002, first in Engineering, where he contributed to the transnational integration of the Airbus Design Office. He then held different leadership positions in Finance before joining Airbus Procurement in 2012.
In 2015 he became Vice President Procurement Seats and Electronics and contributed to the A350 XWB Programme ramp-up.
In September 2016, he was appointed Senior Vice President Procurement Systems, Equipment and Services. In 2018, his responsibility was extended to include the strategic and commercial procurement of the A220 aircraft systems, a mission he retained until his nomination as the head of Airbus Canada in Mirabel, Quebec.
Prior to joining Airbus, Mr. Schultz started as a systems engineer for the Aeroconseil Group, supporting the Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft families. He then moved to Fairchild Dornier in Germany, where he served as a programme manager and cost controller on the 328, 328JET and 728JET programmes.
Mr. Schultz holds a degree in Engineering from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Constructions Aéronautiques (ENSICA) and received a postgraduate degree (DEA) in Economics of Transportation, Aeronautics and Space in Toulouse, France.
Benoît Schultz, 50, was born in Strasbourg, France. He moved to Montreal in August 2021 with his wife and youngest son to take up his new role as CEO of Airbus Canada.
Anthony Norejko
President and CEO of the Canadian Business Aviation Association
Anthony Norejko was named the president and CEO of the Canadian Business Aviation Association in August 2018.
Previously, Anthony held the position of Vice-President Strategy and Operations for the Northern Region at FirstService Residential. He was also Vice-President of the Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA). With 11 years’ professional experience at Walmart, he worked as a pilot and managed aviation operations. His professional career began as a pilot instructor.
Anthony holds an aviation degree from Okanagan College and an MBA from York University.
