Date: February 27, 2026
Location: uOttawa campus, Alex Trebek Alumni Hall – Watch the recording of this event here
Session summary:
The Smart Prosperity Institute (SPI) was pleased to host our 2026 Economics and Environmental Policy Research Network (EEPRN) Symposium at the University of Ottawa. This year’s edition was aptly titled: "New Research for Uncertain Times."
Here at SPI, we think a lot about how to navigate uncertainty—from policy volatility to data scarcity and beyond. In an increasingly unpredictable world, we believe more than ever in the power and importance of good research to inform better decisions.
Returning after several years, the Symposium brought together researchers, students and policymakers interested in emerging environmental-economics policy priorities.
The full-day event featured insightful presentations from professors and graduate students from across Canada whose cutting-edge research was funded by the EEPRN. Derek Hermanutz, Director General, Economic Analysis Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Stephanie Cairns, Senior Director, Strategic Policy, Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (uVic) also hosted a high-level armchair policy discussion reflecting the day’s titular theme.
Participants had the opportunity to ask questions, share reflections and network with their peers.
Presenters and sessions:
Click on a presentation’s title for the corresponding slide deck. The day's full agenda is available here.
Circular economy policy: Insights from across Canada
- Nubi Afolasade, uOttawa – Building a circular and low-carbon construction industry
- Katharine Mullock, uOttawa – Insights from a circular economy policy inventory for Canada
Climate policy: Entity-level outcomes
- Dr. Amr ElAlfy and Tia Driver, uWaterloo – Assessing Canadian firms' readiness for climate disclosure
- Dr. Felix Fosu, Queens – The external impact of green energy policy: Evidence from imported inputs at Canadian firm level
- Anil Gogebakan, uCalgary – Energy efficiency and productivity in Canada
A just energy transition: The role of policy
- Piper French, SFU – Critical justice: Indigenous Peoples and critical mineral development
- Sarah Ozog, SFU – Reconciliation and decarbonization policy integration: Opportunities in the Haida Gwaii energy transition
Speakers:
- Host: Marena Winstanley, Managing Director, Smart Prosperity Institute
- Opening remarks: Dr. Geoff McCarney, Executive Director, Smart Prosperity Institute and Director, Institute of the Environment, uOttawa
- Opening remarks and discussant: Derek Hermanutz, Director General, Economic Analysis Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Keynote and discussant: Stephanie Cairns, Senior Director, Strategy and Foresight, Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (uVic) – From side stage to main stage: recasting climate policy to step into the spotlight.
If you have questions about this event or want to learn more about this work, please contact events@smartprosperity.ca. You can also stay up to date on all SPI events and research activities by subscribing to our monthly newsletter.
This project was undertaken with the financial support of Environment and Climate Change Canada.
