Provincial Leaders to Discuss Internal Trade and Shared Priorities at Canadian Chamber Summit  

April 2, 2026

Share:

OTTAWA, ON — April 2, 2026 — At a time when Canadians are looking for practical progress on the issues that affect their daily lives, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is bringing provincial leaders together for a conversation grounded in a simple question: what can we agree on?  

Rather than focusing on differences, this discussion is intended to highlight areas of shared interest, and how governments, businesses and institutions can each do their part to move that work forward. 

Interprovincial trade rose to the top of Canada’s economic agenda in 2025, but progress depends on coordination and sustained effort. This conversation will focus on where there is alignment today — and how to build on it. 

As part of the Canadian Chamber’s Future of Business Summit, taking place April 20–21, 2026, at the Rogers Centre in Ottawa, the session will bring premiers together alongside a respected national journalist to explore how governments, businesses and institutions – across different sectors and parts of the country – can each play a role in strengthening Canada’s economic future. 

Taking the stage: 

• The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario  

• The Honourable Susan Holt, Premier of New Brunswick  

• The Honourable Rob Lantz, Premier of Prince Edward Island 

• The Honourable RJ Simpson, Premier of the Northwest Territories 

Moderated by Catherine Cullen, host of CBC’s The House and senior reporter in the Parliament Hill bureau, this discussion will focus on areas of common ground, including opportunities to reduce internal trade barriers and strengthen economic alignment. 

“Across the country, businesses, governments and communities are all working to find ways to collaborate — across sectors, regions and differences — because that’s what this moment calls for,” said Candace Laing, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “Canadians are feeling real economic pressure, and there is a shared responsibility to focus on what we can agree on and how we move that work forward.” 

This panel is part of a broader program featuring a diverse lineup of leaders shaping Canada’s economic and social landscape. Newly announced speakers include Natan Obed, President of ITK; François Poirier, President and CEO of TC Energy; and Coleen Volk, President and CEO of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. 

Previously announced speakers for the Summit include leaders from across business, media, policy, and the arts, reflecting the breadth of perspectives needed to advance Canada’s economic future. 

View the full list of speakers and the complete two‑day program on the event website here. 

The Future of Business Summit is supported by a growing group of leading corporations, reflecting its national reach and relevance to Canada’s business and civic communities.  

Sponsors and Partners: Amazon, Export Development Canada, Sage, Agnico Eagle, McKesson Canada, BDC, Business + Higher Education Roundtable, Desjardins, National Bank, Port of Vancouver, Power Corporation of Canada, PwC, Roche, GreenShield, Farm Credit Canada, Port of Montreal, and Air Canada (Community Access Partner), with Ontario Brain Institute supporting the Braindate Lounge, Netflix as food and beverage sponsor and Moderna as Wi-Fi Partner. 

CBC/Radio-Canada joins as National Media Partner. The Canadian Chamber is also proud to collaborate with Community Partners including the Ottawa Board of Trade, the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Canada Council for the Arts. 

Production Partner: Encore | Technology Partner: PheedLoop | Content Partner: ADN | Lanyard Partner: Vale

Opportunities to get involved remain available via the event webpage. 

About the Canadian Chamber of Commerce 

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is Canada’s largest and most activated business network — representing over 400 chambers of commerce and boards of trade and more than 200,000 businesses of all sizes, from all sectors of the economy and from every part of the country — working to create the conditions for our collective success. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is the undisputed champion and catalyst for the future of business success. From working with government on economy-friendly policy to providing services that inform commerce and enable trade, we give each of our members more of what they need to succeed: insight into markets, competitors and trends, influence over the decisions and policies that drive business success, and impact on business and economic performance. 

For Media Registration and Contact:

Shane Mackenzie 
Vice President, Media and Stakeholder Communications 
613.302.7683 
smackenzie@chamber.ca