National Buyer/Seller Forum

Strong Ontario delegation attends Alberta oil sands supply chain event

EDMONTON, March 12 to 15, 2007 -- Minister of Economic Development and Trade Sandra Pupatello led a delegation of more than 130 of Ontario’s best manufacturers to the National Buyer/Seller Forum in Edmonton – the foremost event for oil sands procurement.

• See news release: MINISTER PUPATELLO TO LEAD STRONG ONTARIO DELEGATION TO ALBERTA OIL SANDS SUPPLY CHAIN EVENT

Minister Pupatello speaks at an Ontario-Alberta reception attended by more than 250 representatives of energy sector companies and Ontario suppliers.  The Minister said Ontario manufacturers have the capacity, quality and innovation to be a value-added link in Alberta’s oil sands supply chain.

Minster Pupatello speaks with Doreen Cole (left), General Manager Business Strategy and Growth, Shell Canada, and John Millson, President and Founder of OilSands Development Inc. and former Mayor of Windsor.

Brent Stuart, Director Regional Affairs – Oil Sands, Suncor Energy, describes how Ontario companies can play a role in oil sands development.  For example, Reliance Motors in Stratford, Ontario supplies Suncor with heavy-duty electric motors for use in the company’s oil sands operations. 

The Minister with Brian McCready (left), Vice-President, Alberta and Saskatchewan Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters and Donald Oborowsky, President and CEO of Edmonton-based Waiward Steel Fabrication Ltd.

The Minister works closely with municipalities to attract jobs and investment to Ontario communities.  Local and regional representatives from across the province joined the delegation to showcase Ontario’s manufacturing strengths.  Here, the Minister is pictured with local economic development officials from the Niagara region.

Pictured from left to right: Brian York, Economic Development Officer, City of St. Catharines; Dan Degazio, Manager of Economic Development, City of Welland; Renato Romanin, Senior Economic Development Officer, Niagara Economic Development Corp.; Minister Pupatello; David Oakes, Director of Economic Development and Tourism Services, City of St. Catharines; Serge Felicetti, Director, Business Development, City of Niagara Falls; Claude Pilato, Vice-President Fort Erie Economic Development and Tourism.

Minister Pupatello and the oil sands team at the Ontario pavilion during the National Buyer/Seller Forum.

Pictured from left to right (MEDT unless specified): Sondra Meis, Senior Business Adviser, Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship; Valerie Poulin, Minister Pupatello’s Chief of Staff; Fernando Traficante, Director, Sector Competitiveness Branch; Minister Pupatello; George Mandrapilias, Team Leader, Office of Materials; David Bond, Manager, Manufacturing Sectors; Nicholas Wedgwood, Senior Adviser, Office of Materials; Geoffrey Green, Senior Business Adviser, Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship.