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Top Glass panel discussion to examine European trade opportunities

Feb. 8, 2017 – In a new feature for Canada’s architectural glazing conference, Glass Canada editor Patrick Flannery will moderate a panel discussion explaining the recent Canada-European Union Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and its ramifications for Canadian glass fabricators and contractors considering export to Europe and import of European products. The discussion will look at the impact of the free trade agreement on tariffs and trade barriers to various European countries; the differences in glazing standards between North America and Europe; and business trends in European construction markets. Top Glass takes place April 20 at the International Centre in Missisauga, Ont.

Flannery will be joined by a panel of experts with deep experience in trade, glazing technology and European markets.

Riyaz Dattu, partner at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, advises multinational and domestic businesses on international trade policy and investment matters, international trade strategies and market-access concerns. On international trade regulations, he advises on all aspects of economic sanctions, export and import controls, national security, anti-bribery laws, government procurement, customs laws, transfer pricing and trade remedies such as anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard measures. Riyaz also acts as counsel in international trade and investment disputes involving the application of trade laws and regulations and the enforcement of treaties. He has acted as counsel from the time of the very earliest WTO disputes concerning Canada, and the first two investment arbitrations under Canada’s bilateral investment promotion and protection treaties. During his more than 25 years of practice, Riyaz has advised and represented leading businesses in a full range of industry sectors.

Yvon Chiasson, senior building science specialist, façade engineering, with Morrison Hershfield, has 32 years’ experience in the construction industry, including 12 years working in technical sales/R&D for manufacturers of building envelope systems and 20 years of consulting experience in new building design and existing building envelope restoration and performance failure investigation, assessment and rehabilitation. Yvon has managed projects for various commercial, high-rise, and institutional buildings, for both private and public sector clients. He specializes in cladding technologies with an emphasis on glazing technology (windows, window walls, curtain wall, and skylights), and in plant manufacture of unitized curtain wall systems and components.  He is active in the development of standards governing design and installation of fenestration systems in Canada, including CSA-A440.4-17 Fenestration Installation, CSA-A440.4-07 Window, Door and Skylight Installation, CSA-A440.6 High-Exposure Fenestration Installation (in progress). He has written articles for Façade Tectonics 2016 World Congress (Los Angeles), 8th Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology (Toronto) and The International Conference on Building Envelope Systems and Technologies (ICBEST) (Ottawa, 2001) among others.

Bruce Nicol, architect, with the high performance building team at Dow Corning, U.K., is an alumni of both the Welsh School of Architecture in Cardiff, and the Mackintosh School of Architecture in Glasgow, Bruce has specialized in façade systems with an emphasis on glass as a material and structural element. Many years spent within the glass industry has lead to involvement in a range of highly interesting and diverse projects around the world. This experience proved valuable when Arup Facades decided to set up their original glass group. Dow Corning provides a forum to extend the knowledge into innovations that further refine façade systems whilst promoting better and more efficient performances in all areas.

Registration for Top Glass is free and sessions are eligible for Ontario Association of Architects structured learning hours.

For more information
topglasscanada.com