Speaker Bios
Hon. Gregor Robertson
Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Canada
He is one of a handful of Canadians who has served in all three levels of government, bringing decades of leadership in public service, on affordable housing, climate action, and regional economic growth. He was previously the 39th Mayor of Vancouver from 2008 to 2018, turning Vancouver into one the greenest, most livable cities in Canada - by investing in transit and cycling infrastructure, introducing modular housing to support unhoused residents, leading on co-ops, supportive housing, and starting the country's first successful empty homes tax that generates millions for affordability, while turning Vancouver into the world's first City of Reconciliation through transformative partnerships with the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleilwaututh First Nations. After serving as Mayor, he led climate diplomacy around the world as Global Ambassador for The Global Covenant of Mayors and Special Envoy for Cities in CHAMP. Robertson was previously a Member of the British Columbia Legislature from 2005-2008, as well as an organic farmer and the Co-Founder/CEO of Happy Planet, an organic food company.
Ana Bailão
Chief Executive Officer of Build Canada Homes
Ana Bailão is a prominent leader in housing policy and public affairs, with extensive experience in municipal government and a proven track record in advancing affordable and sustainable development. She has been instrumental in catalyzing public and private partnerships within the housing sector and has been driving innovative solutions to the housing challenges Canadians are facing.
Previously, Ana was the Head of Affordable Housing and Public Affairs for Dream Unlimited Corp. At Dream, Ana was responsible for advancing Dream's affordable housing strategy and development, strengthening partnerships with government and community stakeholders, and ensuring that development projects integrate long-term affordability and sustainability.
From 2010 to 2022, she served on Toronto City Council, including five years as Deputy Mayor. As Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee and during her time on the board of Toronto Community Housing, she led major initiatives to expand affordable housing, reform zoning, and launch programs like Housing Now and CreateTO.
Before entering public office, she held senior roles in the financial and technology sectors. She has served on numerous boards, including the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Artscape, Toronto Public Library, and Toronto Arts Council.
Ana immigrated to Canada from Portugal at the age of 15. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto.
Rick Hansen
Rick Hansen, C.C., O.B.C. is a Canadian icon who has dedicated his life to awakening the world to the potential of people with disabilities.
Rick is best known as the “Man In Motion” for undertaking an epic 26-month, 40,000 km journey around the world in his wheelchair. Rick is also a three-time world champion, nine-time Pan Am gold medalist, and six-time Paralympic medalist. He is the Founder of the Rick Hansen Foundation, an organization committed to inspire, create and deliver innovative solutions that accelerate a global movement to remove barriers to inclusion for people with disabilities. For over 35 years, RHF has worked to raise awareness, change attitudes, and remove barriers for people with disabilities through programs and initiatives such as its School Program and Accessibility Certification Program including accessibility training, ratings and improvement grants.
Valesa Faria
Senior Vice President, Partnership and Engagement and part of the Executive Team at Build Canada Homes
Valesa brings more than two decades of experience in the public and private sectors spanning development review, housing policy, affordable housing development, public-sector transformation, asset management and commercial leasing. Most recently, she served as the inaugural Executive Director of Development Review for the City of Toronto, where she successfully led the modernization of Toronto’s development review system – improving speed, predictability, and collaboration to get more affordable homes and complete communities, approved and built faster. Prior to that, she was the Director of the City of Toronto’s Housing Secretariat where she led system level policies and initiatives to scale up housing supply and preserve existing rental stock.
At Build Canada Homes, Valesa leads the organization’s front-facing development and partnership mandate - working with Indigenous partners, non-profit and private developers, financial institutions, manufacturers, and all orders of government to deploy capital and deliver affordable and supportive housing at scale. She also oversees Build Canda Homes’ strategy to advance modern methods of construction and strengthen Canadian supply chains.
Valesa brings a strong track record of effectively aligning governments, industry, non-profit and Indigenous organizations and communities, with a clear focus on affordability, service excellence and results.
Paul Halucha
Deputy Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
As Deputy Minister, Paul oversees the department's contribution to Canada's public infrastructure, housing and homelessness policy and programs by building partnerships, shaping policy, and delivering programs and services. This work helps address diverse community needs and fosters more inclusive and sustainable Canadian communities.
He most recently served as the Deputy Secretary to Cabinet on Clean Growth at the Privy Council Office and, concurrently, the Deputy Minister of Public Lands and Housing. Previous to that, he held the position of Associate Deputy Minister at Environment and Climate Change, and as Assistant Secretary to Cabinet for Economic and Regional Development Policy at the Privy Council Office, where he was also the Secretary for the Cabinet Committee on the Economy and the Environment.
Paul worked for many years at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada in such roles as: Assistant Deputy Minister of Industry Sector; Chief of Staff to the Deputy Minister; Deputy Director of the Investment Canada Act; and, Director General of Marketplace Framework Policies.
Jennifer Keesmaat
President & CEO, Collecdev Markee | CEO, The Keesmaat Group | Former Chief City Planner, City of Toronto
Jennifer Keesmaat is one of Canada’s leading urbanists and city-builders, recognized by Maclean’s, Toronto Life, and Canada’s Top Women of Influence for her impact on cities and housing.
As President and CEO of Collecdev Markee, Jennifer leads the development of sustainable, liveable communities across the Greater Toronto Area, advancing innovative approaches to housing delivery including purpose-built rental, affordable and co-operative housing, and modern methods of construction.
Previously, as Toronto’s Chief Planner, she championed an integrated approach to growth, housing, mobility, public space, and sustainability. She continues to shape housing policy nationally through her role on Canada’s National Housing Council and previously served on the National Housing Supply Task Force.
Jennifer has advised leading academic and public institutions in Canada and internationally and was named by Planetizen as one of the 100 Most Influential Urbanists of All Time.