In its latest business outlook survey, the Bank of Canada noted “continued weakness in housing related activity in some regions.” Has the stress test introduced last year contributed to this weakness, or tempered the risk of a housing melt-down and over-indebtedness?  Join us as our distinguished panelists discuss these and other pressing issues in the Canadian housing market.

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Speakers:

Evan Siddall, President & CEO, Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation

Since joining CMHC in 2014, Evan and his 2,000 colleagues have transformed the company into a high-performing, innovative, and ambitious organization.  CMHC’s aspiration is that by 2030, everyone has a house they can afford, and that meets their needs.  The company has restored federal leadership in housing via Canada’s first-ever National Housing Strategy, a $55 billion, 10-year initiative- to be enshrined in legislation- that promotes the dignity of housing for years to come.Evan first came to public service at the Bank of Canada in 2010 following a career with some of the world’s largest investment banking firms. Evan is outspoken on housing policy matters; he is also passionate about growing leaders, and the merits of both workforce diversity and mental health.

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Benjamin Tal, Deputy Chief Economist, World Markets, CIBC

Benjamin Tal is responsible for analyzing economic developments and their implications for North American fixed income, equity, foreign exchange and commodities markets. He also acts in an advisory capacity to bank officers on issues related to wealth management, household/corporate credit and risk.Benjamin Tal – Deputy Chief Economist, World Markets, CIBCWell-known for his ground-breaking published research on topics such as labour market dynamics, real estate, credit markets, international trade and business economic conditions, Benjamin not only contributes to the conversation but frequently sets the agenda. He is a member of the Economic Committee of The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, The Economic Development Committee of the Toronto Board of Trade, sits on the board of Governors of Junior Achievement of Central Ontario, and is a board member of Toronto Finance International.

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GRI Featured Speaker – Sonia Baxendale, President & CEO

Sonia currently is a member of the boards of Laurentian Bank, Foresters Financial, Royal Sun Alliance, Hospital for SickKids Foundation, and Toronto Artscape Inc.Sonia was previously President of CIBC Retail Markets. She led the Retail and Wealth Management businesses from 2005 to 2011. From 1992 to 2011, she played a key role in developing strategy and direction for CIBC and held various leadership roles including Senior Executive Vice-President, CIBC Wealth Management, Executive Vice-President, Asset Management, Card Products and Collections, and Executive Vice-President of Global Private Banking and Investment Management Services.

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