Downsview is no longer just a part of Toronto’s past, it’s about to define the city’s future. In this episode, Derek Goring, CEO of Northcrest Developments and Chair of the Business Council of Toronto’s Climate and Energy Transition Council, joins Giles Gherson to reveal how the YZD project will transform 370 acres of land into seven new, complete communities. Hear how Northcrest is creating a connected, climate-smart, and vibrant destination with space for thousands of residents and jobs, and a new vision for sustainable urban living.

As Toronto City Council prepares to debate the Board's Congestion Action Plan, business leaders are urging immediate action. In this episode, Sal Iacono, President and CEO of Cadillac Fairview and a member of the Board’s Congestion Governing Council, shares real-world examples of how gridlock is hurting business and why waiting to act is no longer an option.

The TTC’s interim CEO, Greg Percy, joins our President and CEO Giles Gherson to talk about how we restore public confidence, build a stronger customer experience, and rethink the financial model that powers our city’s transit. This episode was recorded during the Board's 10th Annual Transportation Symposium: From Gridlock to Growth.

What takes a supercomputer 7 million years, Christian Weedbrook’s Toronto-based quantum computer did in just two minutes.

Christian Weedbrook, CEO and founder of Xanadu, sits down to explain quantum computing in plain English and why it matters for industries like health care and clean tech, what makes Toronto a global hub for talent, and why this moment is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Canada to lead. 

Canada is a leader in AI research, but are we applying that technology to boost our own industries? Greta Cutulenco, CEO and co-founder of Acerta Analytics, joins us to discuss how we need to do a better job using AI to transform this country’s manufacturing sector. This episode is being released shortly after International Women’s Day, highlighting a trailblazer shaping our economy. As a female founder in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Greta shares her perspective on leadership, breaking barriers, and building a global tech company. 

Canada is facing a new trade war, and businesses are bracing for uncertainty. How can we defend our economic interests, secure investment, and navigate the unpredictability of U.S. trade policies? In this episode, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, joins Toronto’s business leaders for a frank conversation on the future of trade, the impact of tariffs, and what Canadian businesses must do to stay competitive.  

From electrification to Industry 4.0, Ontario’s manufacturing sector is undergoing a seismic shift. Frank Voss, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, shares how innovation in technology, workforce development, and global partnerships is reshaping the industry.  This conversation was recorded during the Board's Manufacturing Symposium in October. 

Toronto’s gridlock has reached crisis levels. To get our region moving again, the Board is preparing to release a bold Congestion Action Plan. John Kiru, Executive Director of the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas, joins our President and CEO, Giles Gherson to discuss how better coordination, smarter policies, and decisive action can finally get Toronto moving. 

Ontario’s advanced manufacturing sector is skyrocketing, with $50 billion in investments driving innovation in EVs, green steel, and aerospace. MDA Space CEO Mike Greenley discusses how technologies like robotics, 3D printing, and augmented reality are reshaping manufacturing—and how these advancements are paving the way for a new industrial frontier in space.

Toronto is at a financial crossroads. Councillor Shelley Carroll, Budget Chief for the city, joins the Board to discuss tackling the city’s $1.8 billion budget shortfall. From structural fiscal challenges to the need for predictable funding and smarter spending, hear how Toronto can rebuild its financial foundation and ensure a thriving future.

Canada’s productivity crisis is catching up to us. Giles Gherson and Jon Ramscar, CEO of CBRE Canada, unpack why the Toronto region is falling behind and what it will take to turn things around. From unlocking employment lands to cutting red tape, discover actionable solutions to boost economic growth and reclaim our competitive edge.

Toronto Talks is a new podcast from the Toronto Region Board of Trade bringing the voice of our business community directly to your ears.
 
Each episode will feature a conversation about how innovation is reshaping industries, how CEOs are addressing productivity challenges, and why Toronto is poised to grow across key sectors of our economy.
 
Toronto Talks will cover the issues that matter most to our members and the broader business community - from congestion, to productivity, to manufacturing, and more! Subscribe today and listen to the conversations driving our region forward.

Visit our website to learn more about the Board's events, advocacy initiatives, and new reports: https://bot.com/home