2018 ABLE Financial Empowerment conference : Full Schedule

The ABLE Financial Empowerment Conference is a national biannual conference for all stakeholders interested in fostering financial empowerment for people who live on low incomes.

1:30pm PDT

Prototyping solutions to increase Canada Learning Bond take-up

The Canada Education Savings Program is working with the Department’s Innovation Lab to understand the experience of families as they make decisions whether to save for post-secondary education and how they save. This workshop will work hands on with prototypes to increase Canada Learning Bond take-up. In this workshop, participants will help validate, challenge and improve these concepts.

Speakers

Teresa Bellefontaine

Design Project Lead, Employment and Social Development Canada, Innovation Lab

As Design Project Lead at the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) Innovation Lab, Teresa brings experience in lab methodology and approaches, including design thinking, complexity theory, systems thinking, foresight and collaborative group facilitation techniques. Her... Read More →

Monica Soliman

Research Advisor, Employment and Social Development Canada

As a Research Advisor at the ESDC Innovation Lab, Monica works on leveraging behavioural science and design thinking methods to improve programs and service delivery for Canadians. In her work, she uses a mix of qualitative and quantitative research methods and data analysis techniques... Read More →

Monday May 7, 2018 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
President Ballroom B

Pre-Conference

1:30pm PDT

What is financial empowerment? Financial empowerment 101

A session for practitioners that are new to the world of financial empowerment and hoping to learn from the champions of this work on: what it is, how they define it, and why they think it's critical to their practice.

Moderators

John Stephenson

Manager, Program Delivery & Integration, Prosper Canada

John M. Stephenson is a program manager at Prosper Canada where he leads the Financial Empowerment Champions national initiative. John has developed a network of service providers across Canada, supporting their frontline work with marginalized communities. Prior to coming to Prosper... Read More →

Speakers

Dean Estrella

Financial Literacy Manager, Momentum

Dean Estrella is the Financial Literacy Department Manager at Momentum, a change-making organization based in Calgary, AB that combines social and economic strategies to reduce poverty. He is a dedicated social worker with a strong focus on partnering with low-income individuals and... Read More →

Karina Hurtado

Community investment Specialist, United Way of the Alberta Capital Region

Karina Hurtado holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics. She has spent over 19 years working in the social sector both in Canada as well as overseas in countries such as Peru, Bolivia and Cuba. Her life’s work and passion is focused on the areas of poverty reduction, community... Read More →

Steve Vanderherberg

Director of Strategic Initiatives, WoodGreen Community Services

Steve Vanderherberg is WoodGreen’s Director of Strategic Initiatives. In his role, Steve oversees WoodGreen’s Financial Empowerment program, which provides financial supports for low income individuals including running one of the largest free income tax clinics in Toronto... Read More →

Monday May 7, 2018 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
President Ballroom A

Pre-Conference

3:00pm PDT

Networking break

Monday May 7, 2018 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Prefunction Ballroom

Break Networking Activity Pre-Conference

3:30pm PDT

Applying the behaviour change framework to financial empowerment

In this interactive workshop, service providers will learn and apply the Behaviour Change Framework (BCF) adapted from Bridgeable. The BCF can be used by teams that develop and implement programs to generate ideas that can address or leverage client behaviours in order to reach your program’s ideal goal.

Speakers

Philippe Raphael

Research and Evaluation Officer, Prosper Canada

Philippe Raphael is a Research and Evaluation Officer at Prosper Canada and has over five years of experience conducting research and program evaluations in universities and community organizations. His current work focuses on understanding the impact of financial empowerment services... Read More →

Ayesha Umme-Jihad

Research and Evaluation Officer, Prosper Canada

Ayesha Umme-Jihad is a social justice scholar and researcher, motivated by inquiry, analysis, and the empowerment of others. She is passionate about social justice issues, understanding power and privilege in Canadian society, and upholding anti-racism and anti-oppression values.Currently... Read More →

Monday May 7, 2018 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT
President Ballroom A

Pre-Conference

3:30pm PDT

Resources for working with Indigenous Peoples

Learn about tailored models, tools and training that can support you to deliver financial wellness programs with Indigenous communities.

Speakers

Nene Kraneveldt

Owner, Imagination FX

Nene Kraneveldt is a community development specialist who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the research and projects she undertakes. A member of the Hupacasath Nation (one of the 14 Nuu-chah-nulth Nations), Nene has worked with First Nations, Aboriginal organizations... Read More →

Monday May 7, 2018 3:30pm - 5:00pm PDT
President Ballroom B

Pre-Conference

5:30pm PDT

Networking dinner with Dean Estrella

Network informally over dinner with leaders from our field who want to continue the conversation. Dean Estrella from Momentum is hosting a dinner at Richmond Sushi about integrating financial empowerment programming at an organizational level. Note this is a pay your own way opportunity.

Monday May 7, 2018 5:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
TBA

Networking Activity

5:30pm PDT

Networking dinner with Jane Rooney

Limited Capacity full

Network informally over dinner with leaders from our field who want to continue the conversation. Jane Rooney, Canada's Financial Literacy Leader from the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada will host a dinner at Earls about supporting Indigenous Peoples' financial literacy. Note this is a pay your own way opportunity.

Monday May 7, 2018 5:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
TBA

Networking Activity

5:30pm PDT

Networking dinner with John Stephenson

Network informally over dinner with leaders from our field who want to continue the conversation. John Stephenson from Prosper Canada is hosting a dinner at Earls about advocating for policy change in a financial empowerment context. Note this is a pay your own way opportunity.

Monday May 7, 2018 5:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
TBA

Networking Activity

5:30pm PDT

Networking dinner with Murray Baker

Network informally over dinner with leaders from our field who want to continue the conversation. Murray Baker from Family Services of Greater Vancouver is hosting a dinner at Felicos about what policy enhancements and empowerment supports, are necessary to facilitate low-income Canadians saving for retirement. Note this a pay your own way opportunity.

Monday May 7, 2018 5:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
TBA

Networking Activity

6:30am PDT

Self-care activity

Meet Caroline Munshaw from Prosper Canada in the hotel lobby at 6:30 a.m. for a walk in the area around the hotel. Don't forget your walking shoes!

Tuesday May 8, 2018 6:30am - 7:30am PDT
TBA

Self-Care

7:30am PDT

Breakfast

Tuesday May 8, 2018 7:30am - 8:30am PDT
Prefunction Ballroom

Break

8:30am PDT

Musqueam welcome

Join us for a traditional Indigenous opening ceremony and a welcoming address.

Speakers

Kwes' Kwestin

Elder, Musqueam Indian Band

Tuesday May 8, 2018 8:30am - 9:10am PDT
President Ballroom

Plenary

9:10am PDT

Introduction: Setting the stage

Hear opening remarks introducing ABLE, financial empowerment, and the conference goals.

Tuesday May 8, 2018 9:10am - 9:40am PDT
President Ballroom

Plenary

9:40am PDT

Household financial health: Lessons from the U.S. Financial Diaries study

The U.S. Financial Diaries tracked the financial lives of 235 low- and moderate-income households over the course of a year, documenting emerging challenges to the financial well-being of 40% of American families. The co-author of this landmark study will share key insights from her research and a panel will reflect on what this means for how we understand and improve the financial well-being of people living with low incomes here in Canada.

Moderators

Elodie Young

Director Impact and Innovation, Prosper Canada

Elodie Young is the Director of Impact and Innovation at Prosper Canada. She joined in 2013 and is responsible for developing and evaluating new programs that build the financial security of Canadians living on a low income. Her work also includes mobilizing our community of practice... Read More →

Speakers

Jerry Buckland

Professor, Menno Simons College

Jerry Buckland is Professor of International Development Studies at Menno Simons College in Winnipeg, Canada. His research and teaching areas include research and evaluation methods, financial empowerment (micro-finance / financial inclusion / financial literacy), community-based... Read More →

Judy Duncan

Executive Director/Head Organizer, ACORN Canada

Judy Duncan founded ACORN Canada over 13 years ago in August 2004. Under her management the organization has now grown to over 113,000 members, 22 chapters and five offices across the country. Previously, Judy worked as a lead organizer for Washington ACORN for just over a year. Judy... Read More →

Rachel Schneider

co-author of The Financial Diaries and the Omidyar Network Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program, Aspen Institute FSP

Rachel Schneider is the co-author of The Financial Diaries: How American Families Cope in a World of Uncertainty. The Financial Diaries connects the findings of the ground-breaking U.S. Financial Diaries research project, which collected highly detailed data about how 235 households... Read More →

Tuesday May 8, 2018 9:40am - 10:30am PDT
President Ballroom

Plenary

10:30am PDT

Networking break

Tuesday May 8, 2018 10:30am - 11:00am PDT
Prefunction Ballroom

Break Networking Activity

11:00am PDT

Population focus - Financial well-being for Canada’s northern, rural and remote communities

Limited Capacity seats available

Financial empowerment services are literally few and far between in Canada’s northern, rural, and remote communities. Learn how organizations have mobilized creative solutions and new partnerships to bring financial education resources to communities that are among the hardest to reach.

Moderators

Jérémie Ryan

Director, Financial Literacy and Stakeholder Engagement, Financial Consumer Agency of Canada

Jérémie has had a long career in both the public and private sectors. After more than ten years working in the financial services industry, Jérémie joined the Compliance and Enforcement Branch of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) in 2004 where he was responsible... Read More →

Speakers

Stewart Anderson

Manager, Community Investment, Vancity

Stewart has worked in the financial services sector for over 25 years, and has a strong background in economic development, project finance, and corporate lending, as well as a keen awareness of the importance of relationship building. His clients have included Indigenous Social Service... Read More →

John Cockburn

Financial Empowerment Coordinator, Sudbury Community Service Centre

John is a Financial Empowerment Coordinator with the Sudbury Community Service Centre and Credit Counselling Sudbury. He has varied life experience, working in every field from 911 dispatch to credit counseling, which helps him connect with the people he helping on a personal level... Read More →

Jessica Gilray

Community Outreach Program Coordinator, Yukon Literacy Coalition

Jess is a certified teacher with an extensive background in social work. She has over 15 years of experience teaching and counselling adults and children from various cultural backgrounds and socio-economic situations. For over four years she has been working in the Yukon teaching... Read More →

Tuesday May 8, 2018 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
Cambie

Concurrent Session

11:00am PDT

Promising practice - Government financial empowerment trailblazers

Limited Capacity filling up

Innovative governments are embracing financial empowerment as a new way to build financial well-being in the communities they serve. Hear from leading edge municipal and provincial governments on how they’re using financial empowerment strategies, policies and programs to help people build their financial stability.

Moderators

Marlene Chiarotto

Director, Program Delivery and Integration, Prosper Canada

Using financial empowerment framework as a complementary approach to poverty reduction in Canada. Working with partners across all sectors to make sure everyone in Canada has access to the financial policies and programs that will support their financial wellbeing and inclusion. Marlene... Read More →

Speakers

Althea Arsenault

Manager Resource Development, Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation

Althea Arsenault is the Manager of Resource Development with the New Brunswick Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation (ESIC). Her responsibilities range from project management, policy and procedures, national Poverty Advisory Committee, finance, performance indicator statistics... Read More →

Tobias Novogrodsky

Director, Toronto Employment & Social Services, City of Toronto

Tobias Novogrodsky currently serves as a Director of the Toronto Employment & Social Services (TESS) division at the City of Toronto. In this role, Tobias leads the division's strategic planning, policy, and business intelligence functions. In a previous role with TESS between 2016... Read More →

Katie Walker

Community Development Social Worker, Citizen Services, The City of Edmonton

Katie is works with the City of Edmonton as a Community Building Social Worker in Financial Empowerment on a City Wide Basis. In the past, she has done a range of local community development work including supporting the Make Tax Time Pay Program, Financial Literacy Fairs, and RESP... Read More →

Tuesday May 8, 2018 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
Bridgeport

Concurrent Session

11:00am PDT

Promising practice - One-on-one financial help: Established and emerging models

Vulnerable Canadians have historically had few places they could turn for free, quality, unbiased, personal financial help, but this is starting to change. Learn more about different one-on-one financial help approaches that are supporting people to achieve their financial goals and improve their financial well-being.

Moderators

Ana Fremont

Manager, Program Delivery and Integration, Prosper Canada

Ana Fremont is a Program Manager at Prosper Canada. In her role, Ana leads the Ontario Financial Empowerment Champions Project and oversees a number of financial empowerment projects delivered in partnership with community groups, governments and the private sector to ensure that... Read More →

Speakers

Stacie Baker

Manager, Learner Financial Empowerment, Bow Valley College

Stacie holds a B. Ed Degree and brings with her 20+ years of experience working in post-secondary education. Her current role is managing Financial Aid and Financial Empowerment at Bow Valley College in Calgary, and she has been a member of the Calgary Financial Empowerment Collaborative... Read More →

Jose Jaime Guerrero

Clinical Counsellor and Financial Mentor, Family Services Greater Vancouver

Jose Jaime Guerrero works as a Clinical Counsellor and Financial Mentor for Family Services Greater Vancouver (FSGV). He guides people to understand their behaviour towards money and empower themselves to reach financial security. Jose blends his financial background with his clinical... Read More →

Tanya Raso

FEPS worker, Jane Finch Centre

Tanya is a Financial Empowerment Worker (FEPS) with the Jane Finch Centre. She is a graduate from the Assaulted Women and Children’s Counselor/Advocate Program and has completed training in Personal Finance. She has over 16 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector. Her... Read More →

Tuesday May 8, 2018 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
President Ballroom

Concurrent Session

11:00am PDT

Research - Income volatility: Why it matters, and what we can do about it

Limited Capacity filling up

More and more Canadians are engaged in precarious work, with incomes that fluctuate unpredictably month to month and few, if any, workplace benefits to help them weather life’s emergencies. Learn from American and Canadian experts how income volatility is impacting Canadians’ financial stability and what we can do about it.

Moderators

Rachel Schneider

co-author of The Financial Diaries and the Omidyar Network Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program, Aspen Institute FSP

Speakers

Rina DeGrazia

Vice President, Financial Education, TD Bank

Rina DeGrazia is the Vice President of Financial Education for the Canadian Personal Bank at TD Canada Trust. She is responsible for leading the future direction of financial literacy within the organization; helping to drive positive change for our employees, customers and communities... Read More →

Marie-Eve Dubé

Personal trainer / network marketer, H2oBody / M.E.Personla Training / GoodLife fitness

Marie-Eve Dube is passionate about well-being, health, fitness and business. She has found her calling in serving others, which she does by sharing health through movement, sweat, encouragement, hydration, breath, and lots of smiles and laughter. She works as a personal trainer and... Read More →

Dr. Jennifer Robson

Associate Professor (Political Management), Carleton University

Jennifer Robson is an Assistant Professor at Kroeger College, Carleton University where she teaches in both the graduate program in Political Management and the undergraduate program in public affairs and policy management. Her active research projects address tax policy, wealth inequality... Read More →

Tuesday May 8, 2018 11:00am - 12:30pm PDT
Richmond Room

Concurrent Session

12:30pm PDT

Networking lunch

Tuesday May 8, 2018 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Prefunction Ballroom

Break Networking Activity

1:30pm PDT

Evaluation - How do we reduce the pain and increase the gain?

Limited Capacity filling up

Evaluation can often feel like a necessary but unwelcome cost of our work, rather than a process to drive new insights into client needs and better ways to meet them. Join us for an engaging dialogue on why we evaluate programs, why it’s so hard in practice, and how we can do evaluation differently.

Moderators

Allison Meserve

Senior Manager, Research and Evaluation, Prosper Canada

Allison Meserve, Sr Manager-Research and Evaluation at Prosper Canada, is responsible for identifying key research and evaluation priorities, and leading innovative research initiatives for the financial empowerment field. She is on a continual learning journey to better understand... Read More →

Speakers

Reuben Ford

Research Director, Social Research And Demonstration Corporation

Reuben is a research director at the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation--a non-profit research organization with a two-part mission to help policy-makers and practitioners identify policies and programs that improve the well-being of all Canadians, with a special concern... Read More →

Steve Trites

Manager, Research and Policy, Financial Consumer Agency of Canada

Steve Trites is the Manager of Research and Policy at the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. His work directly supports the implementation of the National Strategy for Financial Literacy. He has considerable experience conducting, leading and enabling research and policy analysis... Read More →

Lynne Woolcott

Director of Community Response and Advocacy, West Neighbourhood House

Lynne Woolcott is the Director of Community Response and Advocacy at West Neighbourhood House, in Toronto. She is responsible for House-wide innovation and planning, community development and relations and the Financial Empowerment and Problem-Solving program (FEPS). Her professional... Read More →

Tuesday May 8, 2018 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Cambie

Concurrent Session

1:30pm PDT

Population focus - Financial well-being for newcomers and refugees

Limited Capacity seats available

Refugees and newcomers face unique challenges accessing financial information and services after their arrival in Canada. Learn about the innovative ways organizations are mobilizing financial empowerment approaches to help their clients build a stronger financial foundation for their new life.

Moderators

Mack Rogers

Executive Director, ABC Life Literacy Canada

Mack is the Executive Director of ABC Life Literacy Canada. Mack works with a remarkable team of educators, programmers, and communicators to develop and share literacy programs to communities across Canada. Mack has been developing educational programs for adults and children for... Read More →

Speakers

Mohammed Alsaleh

RSTP Trainer, Refugee Training Sponsorship Program

Mohammed Alsaleh is an International Keynote, TEDx Speaker, and the BC Refugee Sponsorship Trainer. After losing two cousins to cancer, Mohammed dreamt of becoming an oncologist. But like any other Syrian, life had other plans for him. During his final years of med school, he was... Read More →

Noemi Garcia

Manager of the Settlement Mobile Services, North York Community House

Noemi Garcia is the Manager of the Settlement Mobile Services at North York Community House (NYCH) in Toronto, Ontario. She came to Canada under the Refugee Program in the mid-80s and has over 25 years of experience working with refugees and new immigrants to Canada. She currently... Read More →

Amal Shire

Asset and Capacity Building Programs Manager, IRCOM

Amal Shire is a Somali born Canadian from Winnipeg, Manitoba. She came to Canada as a landed immigrant in 1997. Amal considers herself a global nomad at heart, having resided in over six countries including Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Pakistan and Switzerland. She obtained her... Read More →

Tuesday May 8, 2018 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Richmond Room

Concurrent Session

1:30pm PDT

Population focus - Indigenous Financial Wellness: A holistic framework

Financial wellness recognizes the important role of individuals, families, and community in the financial lives of Indigenous Peoples. Learn about the financial wellness framework and how communities and organizations are supporting Indigenous Peoples to make healthy financial decisions that build wellness for themselves and others.

Moderators

Simon Brascoupé

Vice President, Education and Training, AFOA Canada

Simon Brascoupé, Anishinabeg/Haudenausanee – Bear Clan is a member of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, Maniwaki, Quebec. He is the Vice President, Education and Training at AFOA Canada. Brascoupé is an Adjunct Research Professor at Carleton University and an Adjunct Professor... Read More →

Speakers

Jocelyn Bebamikawe

Employment and Training Officer, Wikwemikong Development Commission

Eddie Buli

Business and Education Development Officer, Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network Ltd

Eddie Buli is an Indigenous person of mixed heritages from a cane farm outside of Gordonvale, Far North Queensland. Eddie is the Business and Education Development Officer with the Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network (ICAN), and developer/facilitator of the Yarnin’ Money financial... Read More →

Rachelle Venne

CEO, Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women

Rachelle Venne of St. Albert, Alberta is the CEO of the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW). She has a wealth of experience in the non-profit, corporate and government sectors which results in the delivery of well-rounded, transparent and caring decisions. Under... Read More →

Tuesday May 8, 2018 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
President Ballroom

Concurrent Session

1:30pm PDT

Promising practice - High cost financial services: What's happening?

Limited Capacity filling up

Thousands of Canadians rely on high cost financial services each year, and new products seem to be appearing constantly. Join us in a discussion on what's driving these products, what kind of regulations are involved and the solutions needed from governments, the financial sector, and communities.

Moderators

Jerry Buckland

Professor, Menno Simons College

Speakers

Anna Cameron

Public Policy Coordinator, Momentum

Anna Cameron is the Public Policy Coordinator at Momentum, a community economic development organization based in Calgary. As part of Momentum’s Public Policy team, Anna works to build support for social and economic policies aimed at reducing poverty and increasing economic inclusion... Read More →

Judy Duncan

Executive Director/Head Organizer, ACORN Canada

John Stapleton

Innovation Fellow, Metcalf Foundation

John Stapleton is a writer, instructor and Innovations Fellow with the Metcalf Foundation. He worked for the Ontario Government for 28 years in the areas of social assistance policy and operations and was Research Director for the Task Force on Modernizing Income Security for Working-Age... Read More →

Tuesday May 8, 2018 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Bridgeport

Concurrent Session

3:00pm PDT

Networking break

Tuesday May 8, 2018 3:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Prefunction Ballroom

Break Networking Activity

3:30pm PDT

The 1 billion dollar opportunity

Over one billion dollars in government benefits goes unclaimed each year by eligible Canadians due to barriers that prevent them from tax filing and/or applying. Our panel explores why so many still can’t access the benefits they’re eligible for and offers some new ideas on what we and governments can do about it.

Moderators

Elizabeth Mulholland

Chief Executive Officer, Prosper Canada

Elizabeth Mulholland is the Chief Executive Officer of Prosper Canada, a national charity dedicated to expanding economic opportunity for Canadians living in poverty through program and policy innovation. Elizabeth joined Prosper Canada in 2011, after a 25-year policy career in the... Read More →

Speakers

Timothy Ames

Executive Director, Plan Institute

Tim is PLAN and Plan Institutes Executive Director; he manages both the leadership teams and the various initiatives of Plan Institute. Tim enjoys actively working with the board and partner organization’s that are key to our success. Tim’s business experience is matched only... Read More →

Simon Brascoupé

Vice President, Education and Training, AFOA Canada

Marie-Josée Gagné

Manager, Canada Revenue Agency

Marie-Josée Gagné is the Manager of the Outreach and Communications Section in the Benefit Programs Directorate at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The mandate of the outreach program is to ensure, through a client-centric approach, that Canada's vulnerable populations (Indigenous... Read More →

Steve Vanderherberg

Director of Strategic Initiatives, WoodGreen Community Services

Tuesday May 8, 2018 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
President Ballroom

Plenary

4:30pm PDT

Closing remarks

Tuesday May 8, 2018 4:30pm - 5:00pm PDT
President Ballroom

Plenary

5:00pm PDT

Reception

Tuesday May 8, 2018 5:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Prefunction Ballroom

Plenary

6:45am PDT

Self-care activity

Meet Althea Arsenault from New Brunswick Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation in the hotel lobby at 6:45 a.m. for a walk in the area around the hotel. Don't forget your walking shoes!

Wednesday May 9, 2018 6:45am - 7:45am PDT
TBA

Self-Care

7:45am PDT

Breakfast

Wednesday May 9, 2018 7:45am - 8:30am PDT
Prefunction Ballroom

Break

8:30am PDT

Reducing poverty in Canada: Federal action and opportunity

Hear what the federal government is doing to tackle poverty, how this is contributing to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, and about our progress toward Canada’s first federal Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Speakers

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos

Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Government of Canada

Jean-Yves Duclos was Director of the Department of Economics and a tenured professor at l’Université Laval. As a well-published author, conference speaker, and renowned economics expert, he was often asked to comment on current events in Quebec and Canada. In addition to his professorial... Read More →

Wednesday May 9, 2018 8:30am - 9:10am PDT
President Ballroom

Plenary

9:10am PDT

Reducing poverty in Canada: Basic income – the next frontier?

Basic income is a bold idea that is increasingly garnering attention, support – and criticism – from across the political spectrum. Learn more about basic income from a policy and lived experience perspective. What do we mean by a guaranteed basic income? What are its potential benefits and limitations? Could it move us closer to our goal of financial well-being for all?

Moderators

Nene Kraneveldt

Owner, Imagination FX

Speakers

Alana Baltzer

Chair, Hamilton Organizing for Poverty Elimination (HOPE)

Sheila Regehr

Chairperson, Basic Income Canada Network

Sheila Regehr is a founding member of the Basic Income Canada Network, and its Chairperson since 2014. She is also a former Executive Director of the National Council of Welfare, an independent advisory body to the federal government that published comparative reports on Canada’s... Read More →

830 1015 Reducing poverty in Canada pptx

Wednesday May 9, 2018 9:10am - 10:15am PDT
President Ballroom

Plenary

10:15am PDT

Networking break

Wednesday May 9, 2018 10:15am - 10:45am PDT
Prefunction Ballroom

Break Networking Activity

10:45am PDT

Population focus - Financial well-being for people living with disabilities

Limited Capacity seats available

For people living with disabilities, financial well-being involves their families, caregivers, and communities. Learn how organizations are providing holistic, tailored, and accessible supports to bridge service gaps, change institutional structures, and empower individuals to have a prosperous life.

Moderators

Timothy Ames

Executive Director, Plan Institute

Speakers

Evelyn Huntjens

Indigenous RDSP Navigator, BC Aboriginal Network on Disability Society

Evelyn Huntjens is a member of the Xeni Gwet’in – Tsilhqot’in People of the Nemiah Nation located in the heart of BC. Evelyn enjoys extensive experience working within the financial services industry as a financial planner. Evelyn’s main focus over her career has been to work... Read More →

Karen Lai

Accessibility & Inclusion Consultant, Karen Lai

Karen Lai works as an independent consultant to increase accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities. She holds a Masters of Arts in Human Kinetics where she examined the theories behind social inclusion of people with disabilities. She works with organizations, businesses... Read More →

Tom O'Dwyer

Lead Tax Advisor, Ability Tax & Trust Advisors

Wednesday May 9, 2018 10:45am - 12:15pm PDT
Cambie

Concurrent Session

10:45am PDT

Population focus - Financial well-being for youth-in-care transitioning to independence

Limited Capacity filling up

Youth-in-care face complex barriers arising from their lived experiences and generally become independent at a much younger age than other young Canadians. Hear a former youth-in-care’s powerful story and learn how organizations are empowering youth to build their money skills as they transition into adulthood.

Moderators

William Litchfield

Associate Vice-President, University Relations, Vancouver Island University

William is a connector, connecting community, industry, and government in support of Vancouver Island University as the Associate Vice-President, University Relations and Chief Advancement Officer. In addition, he serves as the Executive Director of the Vancouver Island University... Read More →

Speakers

Sheri Fata

Manager of Education and Support Services, Thunder Bay Counselling Centre

Sheri Fata has been the Manager of Education and Support Services with Thunder Bay Counselling since 2011. Prior to her work with Thunder Bay Counselling, Sheri worked in the financial sector for over twenty years, where she held an array of roles that supported the development of... Read More →

Maya Ramchandani

Candidate, Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs, University of British Columbia

Maya Ramchandani is a former youth in care, she was raised in inner-city foster homes in Toronto facilitated through the Children's Aid Society of Toronto agency. Maya is a candidate for the Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs program at the University of British Columbia... Read More →

Tia Schaefer

Peer Support Navigator, Tuition Waiver Program, Vancouver Island University

Wednesday May 9, 2018 10:45am - 12:15pm PDT
Bridgeport

Concurrent Session

10:45am PDT

Promising practice - Financial services innovation

Financial services can be complex to navigate and are rarely designed with vulnerable populations in mind. Hear about organizations that are innovating to deliver safer and more relevant products, and exploring new ways to enable customers/members to build their financial well-being.

Moderators

Aliza Gutman

Senior Director, The Center For Financial Services Innovation

Aliza is a Senior Director at CFSI, focusing on helping financial services providers develop strategies, products, and services to improve their customers’ financial health. She began her tenure at CFSI leading the Consumer Financial Health Study, a major research initiative aimed... Read More →

Speakers

Doug Pawson

Director, Social Business & Social Finance, Causeway Work Centre

Doug is the Director of Social Business & Social Finance at Causeway Work Centre, where he supports Causeway’s four social enterprises and three social finance programs. Collectively, these social enterprises employ 75 individuals with mental health challenges and other barriers... Read More →

Brendan Reimer

Strategic Partner, Values-Based Banking, Assiniboine Credit Union

Brendan is the Strategic Partner of Values-Based Banking at the Assiniboine Credit Union. As a member of the Executive Team, he works with leaders to integrate and embed the principles and practices of values-based banking into ACU’s policies, strategic goals and targets, culture... Read More →

Eva Wong

Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder, Borrowell

Eva is Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Borrowell, a financial technology company that helps Canadians make great decisions about credit. Through its free credit score monitoring, personal loans and bank partnerships, Borrowell empowers consumers to improve their financial... Read More →

Wednesday May 9, 2018 10:45am - 12:15pm PDT
President Ballroom

Concurrent Session

10:45am PDT

Research - Do we have the data and insights we need to tackle financial vulnerability?

Limited Capacity filling up

Canadians continue to borrow more and save less. Do we have the data we need to understand what is driving this behaviour and growing financial vulnerability? Come to a discussion on what it would take to better understand the forces that shape our financial lives and what we can do about it.

Moderators

Elizabeth Mulholland

Chief Executive Officer, Prosper Canada

Speakers

Andrea Harris

Vancity

Chantal Hicks

Research Manager, Social-Analysis and Modelling Division, Statistics Canada

Chantal Hicks is a Research Manager in the Social Analysis and Modelling Group at Statistics Canada. She currently leads the socio-economic microsimulation program at Statistics Canada. This program includes the Social Policy Simulation Database and Model (SPSD/M), a static microsimulation... Read More →

Dr. Jennifer Robson

Associate Professor (Political Management), Carleton University

Wednesday May 9, 2018 10:45am - 12:15pm PDT
Richmond Room

Concurrent Session

12:15pm PDT

Networking lunch

Wednesday May 9, 2018 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT
Prefunction Ballroom

Break Networking Activity

1:15pm PDT

Marketplace discussions

This interactive session allows participants to choose the conversation they wish to have with practitioners, policymakers, and funders. If you are attending the conference and want to apply for the chance to pitch your financial empowerment topic, resource or tool apply now. Deadline: March 29, 2018.

Wednesday May 9, 2018 1:15pm - 2:45pm PDT
President Ballroom

Plenary

2:45pm PDT

Networking break

Wednesday May 9, 2018 2:45pm - 3:15pm PDT
Prefunction Ballroom

Break Networking Activity

3:15pm PDT

Bold visions for building financial well-being for all

Improving the financial well-being of all Canadians remains a challenge, despite the work of so many dedicated organizations. Too often, frontline organizations are expected to solve ‘downstream’ problems created by ‘upstream’ policy, regulatory and institutional weaknesses. Hear from a panel of bold thinkers about their ideas on how to achieve transformative change in Canada.

Moderators

Adam Fair

Vice President, Strategy and Impact, Prosper Canada

Adam Fair is the Vice President of Strategy and Impact at Prosper Canada. Adam began his career in social development at Prosper Canada in 2007. He is responsible for leading the strategic and operational planning, and managing partnership development. Adam studied politics and economics... Read More →

Speakers

Carmen Daniels

Research & Communications, Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network Ltd

Carmen is a Cree Métis from Edmonton, Alberta, and has been living in Cairns, Australia for the past 16 years. She is the co-founder and researcher at the Indigenous Consumer Assistance Network (ICAN), which provides specialized financial counseling and financial capability (literacy... Read More →

Aliza Gutman

Senior Director, The Center For Financial Services Innovation

Hannah Moffatt

Population Health Equity Initiatives Leader, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority

Originally from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Hannah has made herself at home from coast to coast - in Montreal, QC, Vancouver, BC and Antigonish, NS and now in Winnipeg, MB. She has a B.Sc. in Environmental Health from McGill University and a Master of Public Health from Simon Fraser... Read More →

Wednesday May 9, 2018 3:15pm - 4:15pm PDT
President Ballroom

Plenary

4:15pm PDT

Closing remarks

Wednesday May 9, 2018 4:15pm - 4:30pm PDT
President Ballroom

Plenary

4:30pm PDT

Musqueam closing

Speakers

Kwes' Kwestin

Elder, Musqueam Indian Band

Wednesday May 9, 2018 4:30pm - 5:00pm PDT
President Ballroom

Plenary