The Empire Club of Canada
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
On March 25, 2025 – join the Empire Club of Canada in welcoming Deborah Flint, President and CEO of Toronto Pearson, as she delivers a keynote address on how the airport is helping to shape our region’s future — by enhancing connectivity, driving innovation, and job creation – as well as fueling economic benefits across Ontario and Canada. Toronto Pearson Airport is investing in a multi-billion-dollar capital plan called LIFT (Long-term Investment in Facilities and Terminals). It will modernize Canada’s largest airport over the next decade.
Following the remarks, a panel discussion will take place featuring industry leaders from aviation and industrial real estate. The panel will feature Craig Landry, Executive Vice President and COO of Air Canada; Blair Wolk, President of Orlando Corporation; and John Stackhouse, Senior Vice President of the Office of the CEO at RBC, as the moderator. Together, they will explore how Pearson’s transformation will help unlock new opportunities for businesses and the workforce and contribute to a more secure future.
Convening partners around the airport
Toronto is experiencing unprecedented growth, with the Greater Toronto Area’s population surpassing 7 million after adding a record 269,000 people (3.9%) between 2023 and 2024. Key to this growth is the Pearson Economic Zone. Anchored by Toronto Pearson Airport, the infrastructure, aviation, logistics and manufacturing taking place within the Zone is key contributor to Canada’s economy.
This is a must-attend event for business leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders seeking to co-create at pace and scale, with and around Canada’s global connectivity hub.
*The content presented is free of charge but please note that the Empire Club of Canada retains copyright. Neither the speeches themselves nor any part of their content may be used for any purpose other than personal interest or research without the explicit permission of the Empire Club of Canada.*
*Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the speakers or panelists are those of the speakers or panelists and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official views and opinions, policy or position held by The Empire Club of Canada.*
John Stackhouse heads RBC’s Economics and Thought Leadership group, leading the organization’s work on economic, technological and social issues. He also heads the new RBC Climate Action Institute, which aims to inform and inspire Canadians on pathways to net zero. John is an internationally recognized author and speaker on a range of issues and events. Previously, he was editor-in-chief of the Globe and Mail and editor of Report on Business. He also serves as a senior fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute and the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto. John has written four books and co-authored four others. His latest, Planet Canada: How Our Expats Are Shaping the Future, explores the untapped resource of the millions of Canadians who don’t live here but exert their influence from afar.
Deborah Flint is a vision-driven business leader with over 25 years of experience in the international aviation industry.
At the helm of Toronto Pearson, Canada’s largest airport, Flint is creating a world-class passenger experience and sustainably building the airport of the future through Pearson LIFT, a multi-billion-dollar transformative capital plan.
Ms. Flint has a track record of spearheading airport infrastructure and capital transformation. As the CEO of Los Angeles World Airports (LAX, VNY), Flint initiated a $14 billion airport modernization to serve over 90 million annual passengers at LAX and VNY, one of the busiest general aviation airports in the world.
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 San Francisco Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank Board.
Craig Landry was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer in January 2019. In this role, Craig has oversight for all aspects of safe, reliable and efficient operations throughout Air Canada’s worldwide network, with responsibility for Airports, Flight Operations, In-Flight Service, System Operations Control, Maintenance and Engineering, International Operations, Crew Planning and Scheduling, Contact Centres and Customer Relations, and Regional Express Carriers.
Craig was previously President of Air Canada Vacations and Air Canada Rouge, and Senior Vice President, Revenue Optimization. He has held several executive roles at Air Canada with responsibility for various aspects of the airline’s commercial group, including Revenue Management, Global Sales and Product Distribution, Marketing, and eCommerce. He previously held executive roles at the loyalty and data analytics company, Aeroplan (Aimia).
Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Craig holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Music, both from McGill University in Montreal.
Blair is a real estate professional with more than 25 years of experience in real estate planning and development, construction and strategic asset management.
Since joining Orlando Corporation in 2004, Blair has been involved in land acquisitions and development approvals of over 1500 acres of land and seen the company grow from 30 million square feet to over 45 million square feet of industrial and commercial properties. In his current role as President, Blair is responsible for the day to day management and operations of the company’s portfolio of industrial and commercial properties. Prior to his start with the company, Blair held various roles with Wittington Properties, Aecon Utilities and Morrison Hershfield Consulting Engineers. Blair has been a guest lecturer at the Schulich School of Business at York University and has also served on the board of the Building Industry & Land Development Association (BILD).
Blair is a Professional Engineer and has earned an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University.
