The Empire Club of Canada
Hybrid
Thursday, October 1, 2026
On the path to energy security and economic sovereignty, the choices Canada makes in this decade will shape our prosperity, environment, and competitiveness for generations to come.
We are entering a once-in-a-generation build-out of energy infrastructure—from nuclear generation and grid modernization to transmission, storage, and cleaner fuels—that will define whether Canada secures long-term energy independence, unlocks new “green collar” jobs, and competes globally, or misses a historic window of opportunity.
On October 1, the Empire Club of Canada convenes leaders from across the energy ecosystem to ask: how should Canada position itself as a clean energy superpower while keeping power reliable, affordable, and aligned with our climate commitments?
James Scongack, Chair of the Green Ribbon Panel and a leading voice in Canada’s nuclear and clean energy sector, will deliver a keynote entitled One Canada, Built Together: United to Secure Our Energy Future, outlining a bold vision for a “One Canada” approach to energy and clean technology.
Following his address, a fireside conversation moderated by Alan Carter, Municipal Affairs Reporter at City TV, will feature Megan Telford, President & Chief Executive Officer, Hydro One, Victoria Mancinelli, Director of Public Relations, Marketing and Strategic Partnerships at LiUNA, and John MacQuarrie, President, Commercial Operations at BWXT Canada.
This discussion will explore how utilities, organized labour, and the nuclear supply chain are working with governments and Indigenous partners to build bigger, better, more affordably, and faster through workforce strategies, permitting reform, Indigenous partnerships, supply-chain capacity, and affordability for households and businesses.
This event is an opportunity for labour, industry, governments, and Indigenous partners to engage with the work of the Green Ribbon Panel—highlighting made-in-Canada
James Scongack is the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at Bruce Power. In this role James leads a wide-range of operational and capital project execution services at one of the World’s largest operating nuclear facilities and Canada’s largest private-sector electricity infrastructure project in addition to enterprise transformation, strategy, procurement and business development.
During his over 22 years of service at Bruce Power, he’s served in a number of diverse leadership and operational roles including as an Executive Vice-President since 2018, the Vice-President of the Bruce B Generating Station where he was responsible for the dayto-day safe, reliable operations and project integration at the facility consisting of four largescale CANDU nuclear reactors and as the company’s Vice-President of Environment & Corporate Affairs.
James has provided leadership in a number of large-scale commercial transactions and agreements including the 2015 agreement with the Province of Ontario, Bruce Power’s Owners (OMERS Pension Plan, TC Energy, Power Workers’ Union & Society of United Professionals) extending the life of the facility to 2064 through a $20 Billion investment program.
James serves as Chair of the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO), Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council and the Nuclear Innovation Institute. He also serves as a Provincial appointee as a Director on the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO). He’s previously served on the Board of Life Labs, Canada’s Largest community lab service provider and on the Boards of the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada and Easter Seals Ontario.
James has been recognized by the Globe and Mail Report on Business Best Executive Awards and awarded both the King Charles III Coronation Medal and Platinum Jubilee Award in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 70th Anniversary on the Throne for his leadership. He’s also a recipient of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 by Caldwell/Bloomberg.
James has an Executive MBA from London’s Ivey Business School and a Chartered Director through McMaster’s DeGroote Business School. James holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Guelph College of Management and Economics in Leadership and a BA (Hons) and has completed Master’s-level Project Management certification through York University’s Schulich Business School. He is also a graduate of the US-based Institute of Nuclear Power Operations Senior Plant Management Program
Megan Telford serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hydro One, Ontario’s largest electricity transmission and distribution provider. Prior to her appointment as President and CEO, Ms. Telford served as the company’s Chief Operating Officer, where she was responsible for Safety, Operations, Customer Experience and Capital Portfolio Delivery, as well as Enterprise Strategy, Growth and System Planning.
Since joining Hydro One in 2020, Ms. Telford has held several executive leadership roles across the organization, including accountability for Safety, Human Resources, System Planning, Indigenous Relations, Corporate Affairs, Customer Experience and Energy Transition and Grid Modernization. This breadth of experience has contributed to strengthening operational performance, advancing strategic priorities and positioning the company for long-term growth.
Before joining Hydro One, Ms. Telford held progressively senior leadership roles at TD Bank from 2007 to 2020. Earlier in her career, she practiced labour and employment law at a national law firm and served as a Law Clerk at the Federal Court of Appeal.
Ms. Telford has served on the Board of Directors for Export Development Canada and the Electricity Distributors Association. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Relations from McMaster University, a Master of Industrial Relations and Juris Doctor from Queen’s University and an ICD.D from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
John MacQuarrie is president of the Commercial Operations division of BWX Technologies, Inc (BWXT). He directs the business operations of the nuclear power business of BWXT.
BWXT has over 60 years of expertise in engineering, manufacturing, and servicing critical nuclear components, fuel and equipment for the nuclear power industry.
With over 30 years of nuclear industry experience, Mr. MacQuarrie’s career includes 27 years with BWXT. Previously, Mr. MacQuarrie served in various operational and business development leadership roles within
BWXT.
Mr. MacQuarrie holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees of applied science in mechanical engineering from the University of Toronto. A former Chair of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA), Mr. MacQuarrie is a board member with the Nuclear Innovation Institute
Victoria Mancinelli is the Director of Government Relations, Communications, Marketing and Strategic Partnerships for the Labourers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA), one of the largest and most influential unions in North America representing over 160 000 men and women who build and power Canada forward.
A recognized leader in communications, advocacy, labour relations, and community advancement, Victoria has built a reputation for driving meaningful change at the intersection of workforce development, public policy, economic growth, and social impact. Through strategic communications, government engagement, media relations, branding, and public affairs, she champions the interests of unionized workers and their families while advancing policies that strengthen safe, resilient, and inclusive communities.
Working alongside government officials, industry leaders, policymakers, and community organizations across Canada, Victoria has played a leading role in advancing skilled trades careers, strengthening workforce development initiatives, advocating for women and underrepresented groups, and supporting nation-building infrastructure and economic development projects.
Her leadership and contributions have earned widespread recognition, including being named one of Hamilton’s Top 40 Under 40, a Distinguished Fellow by Mohawk College, and one of the Top 10 Women of Influence in Construction. She is also the recipient of numerous honours, including the Italian National Congress Ordine di Merito Award, the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Spirit of Hope Award, the Israel Cancer Research Woman of Impact Award, the Kurt and Edith Rothschild Humanitarian Award, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her leadership, advocacy, and service to community and country.
Deeply committed to public service and social advocacy, Victoria serves on numerous boards and leadership initiatives focused on economic opportunity, equity, workforce development, safety, and community empowerment. Her involvement includes the Ontario Task Force for Women and the Economy, Chair of the LiUNA Women in Trades Department, LiUNA Indigenous Relations initiatives, United Way Women’s Committee, A Coalition for a Better Future, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation, The Green Ribbon Panel, and several additional organizations dedicated to advancing social and economic progress.
A passionate advocate against gender-based violence and human trafficking, Victoria has received multiple recognitions for her leadership and activism, including the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award and the CIBPA Woman of the Year Award. In 2022, Interval House Hamilton, unveiled the Victoria & Friends Emergency Shelter in her honour, providing critical support and safe housing for women and children fleeing violence, abuse, and trafficking.
Victoria holds degrees from the University of Toronto and Humber College and brings together academic expertise with extensive experience in strategic communications, public relations, advocacy, and leadership.
Alan Carter’s award-winning storytelling has been seen by audiences across the country – from his days in B.C. and Alberta, to his decades informing Torontonians as an anchor and reporter. His knowledge of Toronto and the GTA runs deep, growing up in Burlington and graduating from TMU. Whether it’s holding those in power to account at City Hall or Queen’s Park, Alan’s brand of journalism is based on trust, accuracy and fairness.
