The Empire Club of Canada
Hybrid
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 Michael Rousseau, President and CEO 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.
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.
Michael Rousseau was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada in February 2021. He had served since January 2019 as Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, adding oversight over several significant corporate initiatives and businesses, including Air Canada Rouge, to his continuing responsibilities for the airline’s overall financial strategic direction and related functions since 2007 when he became Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In these prior roles, Mr. Rousseau played a significant and highly strategic role in Air Canada’s successful transformation over more than a decade.
Prior to Air Canada, Mr. Rousseau held executive positions, including that of President, at Canada’s largest diversified general merchandise retailer, Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC). He also held senior executive financial positions at other large, international corporations, including Moore Corporation, Silcorp Limited, and the UCS Group (a division of Imasco Limited). Mr. Rousseau has been a director of several public companies. He is also a member of the Board of Governors of the International Air Transport Association.
A graduate of York University, Mr. Rousseau has been a member of the Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants since 1983. He holds the FCA and FCPA designations, conferred by CPA Ontario in recognition of his professional achievements and contributions. He was named Canada’s CFO of the Year™ for 2017 by Financial Executives International Canada, PwC Canada and Robert Half.
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.
