Cannabis insolvency conference comes to Toronto

January 13, 2025 | Staff

A cannabis conference focused on navigating Canada’s distressed cannabis market is coming to Toronto on January 29.

Insolvency Insider, an online publication focused on the Canadian market, is hosting a half-day conference from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The conference will include a handful of panels examining industry challenges and strategies for managing them.

Bankruptcies, insolvencies, and restructuring are becoming more common in Canada’s cannabis industry, even as new licences continue to come in every month.

The event is at the EY Tower at 100 Adelaide Street West. It is free for industry professionals and about $300 for insolvency professionals. Panels will feature experts from industry experts and executives, the OCS, and the CRA.

The three panels are:

High Stakes: The Cannabis Industry’s Current Market Landscape featuring Mauricio Zelaya (Ernst and Young ), David Hyde (Hyde Advisory), and David Goldstein (Stoke Inventory Partners)

This panel will provide an overview of the financial and operational challenges facing Canada’s cannabis industry, including oversupply, pricing pressures, regulatory hurdles, and shifting consumer demand. Industry executives and market analysts will share insights into how these factors have led to distress across the sector. Attendees will gain an understanding of the forces driving the current wave of insolvencies and business restructurings.

Turning Over a New Leaf: Restructuring Strategies and Executive Insights with Larry Ellis (Miller Thomson LLP), Karen Fung (Ernst & Young), and Howard Steinberg (Steinberg Advisory Corp)

This panel will combine the expertise of insolvency professionals and cannabis industry executives to explore practical strategies for navigating financial distress and operational challenges in the cannabis sector. Topics will include leveraging restructuring tools such as CCAA and BIA proceedings, addressing cannabis-specific licensing and asset valuation complexities, and stabilizing businesses through operational streamlining and strategic partnerships. Panelists will share real-world case studies and offer actionable advice on managing financial challenges, diversifying product lines, and preparing for long-term success in this evolving market.

After the Restructure: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead featuring Shawn Dym (York Plains Investment Corp.), Trevor Dayton (Ontario Cannabis Store), Robert McKenzie-Kerr (Canada Revenue Agency), and Gwen Keating (Canada Revenue Agency)

This fireside chat will explore life after a cannabis restructuring, featuring insights from an industry executive who has successfully navigated the process. Discussions will focus on rebuilding trust, managing compliance, and addressing operational pain points. Representatives from the Department of Justice, Canada Revenue Agency and the Ontario Cannabis Store will also share their thoughts so that attendees can gain a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities for businesses aiming to rebuild and thrive in the evolving cannabis market.

Featured image via Google Maps.