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Exploring the Challenges of Canada’s Distressed Cannabis Market: A Conference in Toronto

 

The Canadian cannabis industry has faced numerous challenges in recent years, from market saturation to regulatory complexities. Recognizing the need for guidance and strategies to navigate these turbulent times, the Distressed Cannabis Conference will take place in Toronto on January 29, 2025. This half-day event, hosted by Insolvency Insider, is designed to provide insights and actionable advice for stakeholders grappling with financial and operational difficulties in the cannabis sector.

Event Overview
The conference will run from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM at the EY Tower located at 100 Adelaide Street West in Toronto. While the event is free for cannabis industry professionals, insolvency professionals can attend for a registration fee of approximately $300.

The agenda includes three key panels featuring experts from across the industry, as well as representatives from the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). These panels will focus on exploring industry challenges, sharing restructuring strategies, and discussing post-restructuring opportunities for businesses in the cannabis market.

Panel 1: High Stakes—The Cannabis Industry’s Current Market Landscape
Panelists:

  • Mauricio Zelaya, Partner and National Economics Leader, Ernst & Young
  • David Hyde, President, Hyde Advisory & Investments Inc.
  • David Goldstein, CEO, Stoke Inventory Partners Inc.

This panel will delve into the current issues plaguing the Canadian cannabis sector, including oversupply, price compression, shifting consumer preferences, and regulatory barriers. Industry experts will provide an in-depth analysis of how these challenges have led to a surge in bankruptcies and restructurings. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of the economic and operational pressures driving the industry's current state.

Panel 2: Turning Over a New Leaf—Restructuring Strategies and Executive Insights
Panelists:

  • Larry Ellis, Partner, Miller Thomson LLP
  • Karen Fung, Senior Manager, Ernst & Young
  • Howard Steinberg, CEO, Steinberg Advisory Corp.

Focusing on solutions, this panel will examine restructuring tools such as CCAA (Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act) and BIA (Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act) proceedings, while addressing the unique challenges of licensing, valuation, and compliance in the cannabis industry. Panelists will share case studies and provide strategies to help companies stabilize operations, optimize partnerships, and chart a path toward long-term success.

Panel 3: After the Restructure—Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Panelists:

  • Shawn Dym, Managing Director, York Plains Investment Corp.
  • Trevor Dayton, Chief Commercial Officer, Ontario Cannabis Store
  • Robert McKenzie-Kerr, Director, Canada Revenue Agency
  • Gwen Keating, Senior Advisor, Canada Revenue Agency

This fireside chat will explore the realities of rebuilding after restructuring. Attendees will gain insights into restoring trust, maintaining regulatory compliance, and addressing operational inefficiencies. Panelists from the CRA and OCS will provide their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing restructured cannabis businesses as they aim to rebuild and thrive in the evolving market.

Why Attend?
The Distressed Cannabis Conference offers a unique opportunity for stakeholders to gain valuable insights from experts, network with peers, and develop actionable strategies to tackle financial and operational challenges. Whether you're navigating financial distress or looking to understand the shifting landscape of the cannabis industry, this event promises to deliver key takeaways to help you succeed.

For more information and registration details, visit the official event page.