CLF Toronto Materials Series: Concrete

To kick off CLF Toronto's summer Materials Series, please join us for this panel presentation and discussion on concrete and the work taking place in the industry to reduce carbon emissions and set us up for success on our path to a net zero carbon future. Our expert panelists bring unique and interconnected viewpoints and experiences to the discussion, with representation across concrete and cement associations as well as the manufacturer's experience.

Important Information

This event will take place in person at The Pit in the Architecture Building lobby at the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), and the presentation will also be available virtually via Zoom. The in-person event will take place from 6:00pm to 9:00pm and will include light refreshments and networking following the panel presentation and discussion. The virtual event will take place from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.

The Architecture Building is located at 325 Church St., Toronto, ON.

Our Panelists:

Bart Kanters, President, Ready Mixed Concrete Association of Ontario (Concrete Ontario)

Bart Kanters joined the RMCAO in 1999 and has progressed from technical engineer to engineering manager to his current role as president of Concrete Ontario. Prior to joining Concrete Ontario, Bart was a division manager of a concrete restoration company in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.

Bart’s experience with ready mixed concrete is as a civil engineer with the responsibility of addressing the technical concerns of both Ontario concrete industry and the local design community. He has a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from the University of Waterloo, an MBA from Heriot-Watt University in Scotland and is a registered engineer with the Professional Engineers of Ontario.

Lara Yousif, Product Development Manager, Lafarge Canada Inc.

Lara Yousif is the Product Development Manager for Lafarge Eastern Canada and has a deep passion for all things concrete. She has a background in Civil Engineering and within the past decade, Lara has held various positions within Lafarge’s organization including Research and Development, Sales, as well as, managing Logistics and Customer service for Lafarge’s biggest North American market.

In addition to her primary job, her recent involvement in concrete sustainability has inspired a new perspective in her professional and personal life. Combining this with her years of experience managing a fast-paced, high-demand Customer Service/Dispatch department, Lara is now putting her efforts towards collaborating with various stakeholders in the construction industry primarily focusing on the reduction of embodied carbon within cast-in-place concrete and working towards the ultimate goal of carbon-neutral building materials.

Adam Auer, President and CEO, Cement Association of Canada

Adam was appointed President and CEO of the Cement Association of Canada (CAC) in April 2022. Formerly Vice President of Sustainability, Adam has spent more than two decades working with public, private and non-profit institutions, leading policies and programs to support industrial decarbonization. As CAC’s President and CEO, Adam’s leadership is focused on ensuring the cement industry remains a competitive leader in Canada’s transition to a climate resilient net-zero economy. He also serves as a Director of the Athena Sustainable Materials Institute as well as on the Canadian Climate Institute’s Council of Advisors. Before joining the CAC in 2012, Adam managed Environment Canada’s Corporate Environmental Innovation initiative - a multi-stakeholder program to promote the business and financial case for corporate environmental leadership and the link between sustainability and an innovative and competitive economy. Adam holds a Masters' of Environmental Studies from York University and a Bachelor of Science in Ecology from the University of British Columbia.