Northern Ontario Mining Showcase
Speaker Series
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Official Opening | The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Northern Ontario Mining Showcase Official Opening
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Official opening of the Northern Ontario Mining Showcase (NOMS) at PDAC 2026 by the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for FedNor. With 112 exhibitors, NOMS is the largest exhibit at PDAC, showcasing the depth, innovation, and economic strength of Northern Ontario’s mining supply and services sector.
Monday, March 2, 2026
Special Announcement
Join us at the NOMS pavilion
10:00am - 12:00pm
A special announcement to be presented at the NOMS pavilion.
Roula ThomasIntellectual Property Ontario
12:15pm - 12:45pm
Intellectual Property Funding & Supports for Ontario Innovations
An overview of funding programs and support services available to help Ontario innovators protect, manage, and commercialize their intellectual property.
Panel | Global Affairs Canada
Exploring Export Opportunities with the TCS
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Moderator
Steven Basadur (Trade Commissioner for Mining, Ontario)
Panelists
Alejandro D’Agostino (Argentina)
Alexander Watson (Germany)
Gonzalo Munoz (Chile)
Daniel Arsenault (Commercial Counsellor at the Canadian Embassy in Pakistan)
The panel will feature Trade Commissioners specializing in mining and representing foreign markets of interest to Ontario mining suppliers, sharing insights on market trends and emerging opportunities in their respective regions.
Panel | FedNor
Interprovincial Trade: What’s Next?
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Moderator
Minister Patty Hajdu
Panelists
Minister Vic Fedeli (MEDJCT)
Derek Teevan (Vice President community & Environment, West Red Lake Gold Mines)
Ryan Montpellier (Executive Director, MIHR)
Mariana Pinheiro Harvey (General Manager, Macassa Mine, Agnico Eagle Mines)
Canada’s mining supply and services sector works across provincial borders, yet barriers still slow the movement of people, goods, and services. This panel will explore progress on interprovincial trade, labour mobility, and what changes could unlock new opportunities for suppliers operating across Canada.
Fireside Chat | Haileybury School of Mines
Revitalization of Haileybury School of Mines and Mining Engineering Technology
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Moderator
Jamie Johnston (Dean of Apprenticeship, Trades, Technology and Mining)
Panelists
Tony Makuch (CEO, Discovery Silver)
Pierre Julien (Executive Vice President, Global Origination and North America, DRA Global)
Greg Romain (Mining Consultant)
The Haileybury School of Mines, with over a century of excellence in mining education, is undergoing a strategic revitalization to meet the evolving needs of the global mining industry. This initiative honours the legacy of Haileybury School of Mines while positioning Northern College as a leader in modern, sustainable, and inclusive mining education.
Paul WigmoreCambrian College Applied Research
4:00pm - 4:15pm
From Concept to Deployment: Advanced EV Testing and Applied Research
Explore how Cambrian’s Vale EV Lab accelerates mining electrification through advanced testing infrastructure, applied research, and industry partnerships. Learn how Cambrian College applied research and development bridges the gap from concept to prototype to deployment, driving innovation for zero-emission fleets and sustainable mining solutions.
Tuesday, March 3, 2025
Natalia Rogacki
Sierra Mercer
Ontario Centre for Innovation
10:30am - 10:45am
Funding & Support for Ontario SMEs: How OCI Programs
Overview of Ontario Centre of Innovation programs supporting Ontario SMEs, including the Critical Industrial Technologies (CIT) initiative and the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN). Learn how these programs help de-risk innovation, accelerate technology development, and support commercialization across sectors such as mining, construction, agri-food, advanced manufacturing, and mobility.
Panel | Cementation Canada Inc
Experience Required: Rethinking Talent Development in Mining
11:00am - 12:00pm
Moderator
Patrick Hudd (Corporate Manager, International, Cementation Canada Inc.)
Panelists
Joe Bell (Manager of Training and Recruitment, Cementation Canada)
Stephanie LaBelle (Strategic Leader Connecting Communities and Industry, Civita)
Jamie Johnston (Dean of Trades, Technology and Apprenticeship and Mining, Northern College)
Ryan Montpellier (Executive Director at MiHR Council)
The mining industry faces a generational workforce challenge as retirements and skills shortages collide with experience-heavy hiring expectations. This panel explores how owners and contractors can balance delivery risk with intentionally building the next generation of talent.
Panel | MineConnect
Beyond Mining: Defence Diversification Opportunities for Suppliers
12:00pm - 1:15pm
Moderator
Fran Hanover (EDO, NORD Pilot Project)
Panelists
Ravi Singh (Director General of Defence Industry, Department of National Defence)
Kimberley Van Vliet (CONVERGX, NIAG-Allied Command Transformation Unit)
Cameron Gray (Sector Manager for Advanced Manufacturing, OCI)
Robert Dimitrieff (CEO, Patriot Forge Co.)
Daryl Adams (CEO, RufDiamond)
Mining supply and service companies have strong alignment with defence sector needs. This panel will explore how suppliers can enter the defence supply chain, what prime contractors are looking for, and the programs available to support diversification into new markets.
Panel | CEMI + Vector Institute
Canada's AI Advantage
1:15pm - 2:15pm
Moderator
Kyle McCall (Director, Commercialization Service, CEMI)
Panelists
Warren Ali (Director, Industry Development, VECTOR Institute)
Dr. Chao Yu (Founder and CEO, LOOPX)
Mo Shahsavari (GeoXtra)
Ryan Payne (Assets Executive, Cementation)
Delivered in partnership with the Vector Institute, CEMI will host a panel on Canada’s AI advantage, highlighting the country’s global leadership in AI and the opportunities for mining service and solution providers to tap into leading research and talent.
Panel | Mushkegowuk Council
Indigenous Values for Participation in Projects
2:15pm - 3:15pm
Moderator
James Tegler (Environmental Coordinator, Mushkegowuk Council)
Panelists
Chief Peter Wesley (Moose Cree First Nation)
Chief Bruce Archibald (Taykwa Tagamou Cree First Nation)
Lawrence Martin (Lands and Resources Director, Mushkegowuk Council)
A facilitated discussion with Chiefs on mining projects planned or underway, sharing authentic Indigenous perspectives on today’s mining developments.
Photo | Northern Ontario Mining Showcase
Women of PDAC - Photo Opportunity
4:00pm - 4:30pm
Location
NOMS Pavilion
Join us at the NOMS pavilion for a Women of PDAC photo opportunity, located next to the A-frame.
