Our 2023 Executive Summit Series will feature ten sectors and explore how each contributes to our country’s economic success.

Our Executive Summit Series gives us the opportunity to take a deep dive into issues our political leaders need to consider to ensure public policies drive business success.

Each event will ignite insightful conversations with some of Canada’s most influential business leaders and government officials, as we strive to meet our biggest challenges: the future of people, technology, trade and climate. 

The Future of Canada’s Aviation Sector

September 25 | National Arts Centre | In-Person | 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET

Canada’s aviation industry has never been more challenged nor more critical to our future as it is today.

Join us at our upcoming Executive Summit Series event, where we will delve into challenges, opportunities and solutions that support a strong and resilient air transportation sector in Canada.

The Canadian aviation industry is facing unprecedented challenges yet holds crucial importance for Canada’s economic future. This year is pivotal, marked as one of the industry’s most critical in decades.

Amid intense competition, regional connectivity, financial strain, consumer dissatisfaction, labor issues and governmental influence, numerous issues demand a nationwide conversation.

Complimentary drinks and snacks will be provided.

Presenting Sponsors

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Cybersecurity

October 4 | Virtual | 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET

Cybersecurity is essential to ensuring the viability, operation and growth of the digital economy, and is key to furthering innovation and securing trust in our data-driven world.

Faced with a cybersecurity skills gap of some 4 million people globally, and an ever-increasing number of connected devices (67 billion endpoints and counting), the challenges and costs associated with securing our digitally enabled world are increasing.

This Executive Summit will focus on shaping a better future by exploring the changes needed in cooperation amongst the private and public sector and discussing the advocacy needed for policy and regulatory frameworks that promote security and economic growth.

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Food Supply

October 25 | Virtual

Canada has an abundance of the goods the world wants and needs.

As one of the largest global exporters of food and fertilizer, we have an opportunity to step up to meet the growing demand for Canada’s agri-food products. However, to seize this opportunity, we must center resource sectors such as agri-food in our national economic strategy and give them the tools they need to succeed.

This Executive Summit will explore a strategic vision for the agri-food sector and discuss policies that will facilitate access to expanding global markets, in particular through more efficient and reliable critical trade infrastructure.

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Life Sciences

November 7 | Ottawa, ON | Hybrid

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerability of Canada’s healthcare systems and demonstrated the central role that the life sciences sector plays in health and economic well-being.

It has also underlined the critical importance of building future resiliency based on continued strong collaboration within the ecosystem, a coherent approach to aligning cutting-edge research with the enhanced adoption of health innovations, interoperable health data infrastructure and a more robust, globally integrated manufacturing footprint and supply chain.

This Executive Summit will focus on what has been done and what still remains as priorities to strengthen pandemic preparedness and health system resilience, promote improved health outcomes for Canadian patients and foster a world-class life sciences ecosystem as a driver of jobs and growth.

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Green and Transition Finance

November 9 | Montreal, QC | Vogue Hotel Montreal Downtown, Curio Collection by Hilton | 1:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET

This summit will focus on immediate reforms that can be undertaken to guide the economy toward a more sustainable future.

Discussions at this event will address the central need to establish a credible taxonomy, as recommended by our Sustainable Finance Action Council. Additionally, participants will underscore the need to align climate disclosures with international standards, lest Canadian businesses and financial institutions find themselves left behind their international peers. Finally, the summit will examine small and medium-sized businesses’ needs for guidance, support and investment in order to navigate these reforms.

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Artificial Intelligence

November 22 | Ottawa, ON | Hybrid

AI has emerged as a transformative force, with applications in voice, facial recognition and interactive chat, among countless other deployments. And as AI increasingly becomes part of everyday life, organizations across sectors are examining the use of AI and its potential applications.

Because AI can present both opportunities and risks, there is curiosity and contention about what the future development and deployment of AI will look like. This is particularly true when it comes to the ethical implications of AI application, requiring organizations to have frameworks in place that inform the trustworthy and responsible use of AI.

This Executive Summit will take a closer look at ethical and responsible AI development and adoption, and put forward informed, actionable solutions to increase AI uptake with care, comfort and confidence.

Artificial Intelligence Panel Discussion

The panel will take a closer look at ethical and responsible AI development, deployment and adoption, as well as AI regulation, and put forward informed, actionable solutions to increase AI uptake with care, comfort and confidence.

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Past Executive Summits

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | May 3 | Virtual

Increasing diversity and inclusion is not only the right thing to do but the economic argument for it is clear, too. Diverse and inclusive companies perform better in decision-making, innovation, profitability, and employee engagement and productivity.

This Executive Summit will focus on the current state of diversity and inclusion in corporate Canada and the different ways through which the private sector is making progress and moving from awareness to action.

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Net-Zero | March 28 | Ottawa, ON | Hybrid

In March 2022, Environment and Climate Change Canada released its 2030 Emissions Reductions Plan. Since then, there have been continued policy and regulatory changes to reduce Canada’s carbon footprint – but are we on track to reach our emissions targets? This Executive Summit will examine Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reductions Plan one year after release and will provide private sector perspectives on Canada’s path to net-zero.

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The Canada – U.S. Roadmap | March 20 | Ottawa, ON | In-Person Only

At their February 2021 meeting, Prime Minister Trudeau and President Biden agreed on a “Roadmap for a Renewed Canada-U.S. Partnership,” which proposed a range of joint actions on trade, climate change, and global and regional security issues. As President Biden makes his first trip to Ottawa, has any progress been made in strengthening bilateral cooperation? Given shifting geopolitical contexts, renewed protectionist rhetoric in the U.S. and a turn to industrial policy, this Executive Summit will revisit the commitments made and consider what more can be done to bolster economic ties between our two countries.

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Critical Minerals | March 2 | Ottawa, ON | Hybrid

As global demand for critical minerals continues to increase, Canada has launched its first nationwide Critical Minerals Strategy. Canada has the opportunity to provide mineral inputs to international markets while at the same time sustaining its own domestic manufacturing and green energy sectors.

This Executive Summit will examine Canada’s strategy for developing its mineral resources and will provide private sector perspectives on the next steps in advancing Canada’s brand as a sustainable supplier of critical minerals.

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Thank You to Our Excellence Level Partners