Empire Club of Canada

At a time of heightened geopolitical tension and with the acknowledgment of diverse threats to our sovereignty and security, Canada is redefining what sovereignty means and how stakeholders can contribute to the defence of our great nation. In alignment with the Government of Canada’s command signal that Canada must defend its own sovereignty on its own terms, the Canadian Army is undergoing a gen...

Artificial intelligence is advancing at an unprecedented pace—reshaping industries, redefining work, transforming student learning, and accelerating global competition in real time. Jurisdictions that move quickly will lead; those that hesitate risk falling behind. Ontario is at a pivotal moment—and must act decisively. On  Friday, May 29, 2026 , the  Empire Club of Canada  convened a thought-prov...

Golf Canada’s story offers a compelling vision for the future of sport in Canada. With 6 million players, 70 million rounds played annually, and a diversified funding model built on corporate partnerships, major events, and foundation support—underscored by a shift from a “sport of invitation” toward greater accessibility—Golf Canada shows how strategic innovation can drive both growth and resilie...

Canada’s visitor and experience economy is breaking records. Toronto alone welcomed more than 28 million visitors last year, generating over $9 billion in spending across hotels, restaurants, venues, attractions, and neighbourhood main streets. At the heart of this growth is the experience economy: live music, major league sport, festivals, immersive events, and the cultural life of the city. Yet...

We are living through what is arguably the largest innovation in human history. Artificial intelligence is no longer just a productivity tool; it is everyday infrastructure. It is embedded in the operating system of business, governance, and daily life. But, what comes next? On  May 12, 2026,  The  Empire Club of Canada  hosted renowned U.S.-based AI engineer and educator  Harper Carroll  alongsid...

On  Tuesday May 12, The Empire Club of Canada hosted the Second Annual State of the Airport featuring  President and CEO of Toronto   Pearson Deborah Flint.   Deborah’s address reflected on the state of air travel at Canada’s gateway airport, and previewed how the airport is entering its next era that will be defined by change and growth across Pearson’s facilities, customer experiences, commercia...

Canada confronts a period of global volatility, shifting trade dynamics, and the challenge of sustaining long‑term growth in a rapidly changing world. Navigating these complexities requires clear fiscal leadership, strategic policy choices, and a steady commitment to economic resilience and shared prosperity. One week after the Government of Canada’s Spring Economic Statement, The  Empire Club of...

The shifting geopolitical landscape has created new imperatives for Canada’s prosperity — chief among them, effectively leveraging our abundant natural resources for strategic advantage. To compete globally, industry and government must work together to strengthen sectors that differentiate Canada in world markets and drive trade diversification. From gold and iron to critical minerals such as nic...

At this pivotal time for our country,  The Empire Club of Canada  is pleased to welcome  The Honourable Tim Hodgson,   Minister of Energy and Natural Resources,  for  “ One Year of Nation Building: Looking Back, Moving Forward”  a keynote address and fireside chat on April 24, 2026. One year after the election of Mark Carney’s government – and Minister Hodgson’s first time taking office – “ One Ye...

Millions of Canadians step into caregiving roles when the people they love begin to age or face serious health challenges. For many, this responsibility arrives not at a quiet stage of life, but in the midst of their most demanding years. In 2026, caregiving continues to fall disproportionately on women—particularly those in the sandwich generation, who are caring for young children while also sup...

Canada is at a pivotal moment—one that will define its energy future, economic security, and prosperity for generations. As electricity demand accelerates and global competition intensifies, Ontario must build an energy system that is strong, resilient, and independent. With its largescale nuclear generation, world leading medical isotope production, and thousands of skilled workers, Bruce Power a...

Timing is everything. Canada has what the world wants, from critical minerals and energy to advanced manufacturing, agri-food, technology, and talent. Yet, it is entering a more protectionist, volatile era of trade just as global demand for our resources, expertise, and innovation is accelerating. To future proof our economy, we must prove that we can move goods, ideas, and people reliably, predic...

Ontario stands at a crossroads: home to world-class AI research and a $16.5 billion technology ecosystem, yet facing an adoption gap that could undermine long-term competitiveness. In this Empire Club keynote and conversation, The Honourable Stephen Crawford—Ontario's Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement—joins Bob Courteau, Board Chair of Kinaxis, to map how AI is t...

The world has changed – as Ontario continues to navigate a period of global economic and geopolitical uncertainty, it is more important than ever to unleash our economy and continue to make Ontario the most competitive place in the G7 to invest, create jobs, and do business. On March 10, 2026 ,   The Empire Club of Canada  hosted  The Honourable Peter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario’s Minister of Finance  f...

Strategy, Resilience and Growth: Canada–EU Trade Next Steps under CETA Canada and the European Union are no longer just trading partners—they are strategic allies in a world where supply chains, security, and climate policy are increasingly intertwined and driven by shifting geopolitics. Two‑way trade in goods and services has surged to more than €123 billion (about $162 billion CAD) a year, a mor...

As global supply chains realign and competition intensifies, Africa and the Caribbean are emerging as critical partners for countries seeking growth, diversification, and access to rapidly expanding markets. Canada’s strengths in finance, natural resources, infrastructure, technology, and education position it to play a more ambitious role as an investor, exporter, and innovation partner across bo...

Ontario's electricity demand will grow 65% by 2050, driven by electrification, data centers, population growth, and industrial expansion. Can the province meet the challenge? At this Empire Club Energy Series event, three of Ontario's foremost energy leaders—Lesley Gallinger (IESO), Nicolle Butcher (OPG), and Michele Harradence (Enbridge Gas)—join moderator Dr. Monica Gattinger to address...

Canada's quantum leadership will not be decided in the lab. It will be decided by who can scale, secure, and deploy. At this Defence Series event, the Empire Club convened Lisa Lambert (CEO, Quantum Industry Canada), Lieutenant-General Darcy Molstad (Commander, Canadian Joint Forces Command), Francesco Bova (Rotman School of Management), and David Roy-Guay (CEO, SBQuantum) to address Canada&#3...

Ontario at a Crossroads: Competitiveness, Confidence & Growth in a New Global Reality   As Ontario enters 2026, businesses face new realities shaped by shifting trade dynamics, tariff pressures, and global competition. Amid modest signs of stabilization, confidence remains fragile, and leaders across sectors must look to strengthen resilience and secure long-term growth. Looming CUSMA renegoti...

Ontario is among several provinces grappling with soaring home prices, limited new construction, and a widening affordability gap that has pushed homeownership increasingly out of reach—especially for young Canadians. Housing starts are at multi-decade lows and for far too many people the dream of having a piece of Ontario they can call their own is slipping away. This crisis has been further inte...

Les Canadiens et Canadiennes vivent dans un monde où l’information est plus accessible que jamais. L’envers de la médaille, c’est que la population n’a jamais été aussi vulnérable à la mésinformation. En effet, les idées fausses se propagent à la vitesse de l’éclair, et le domaine des soins de santé est celui où les répercussions sont les plus importantes. La mésinformation ne touche pas seulement...

Canadians live in an era defined by unprecedented access to information – and equally unprecedented vulnerability to misinformation. False narratives can take root and spread at the speed of lightning and no sector is feeling the impact more severely than health care. Misinformation impacts not only individual Canadians driven to find online health solutions but increasingly impacts the government...

Canada is confronting a prolonged period of economic challenges, from global uncertainty to shifting trade alliances and tariffs. These pressures have tested the resilience of individuals and businesses — impacting purchasing power and investment confidence. Canadians rely on expert leadership at the Bank of Canada to navigate these complexities, from currency stability to monetary policy. On  Feb...

On  Wednesday, February 4, 2026 , the  Empire Club of Canada  will honour the  Toronto Blue Jays  with the 2025 Nation Builder Award at a special ceremony at the Toronto Metropolitan Convention Centre in downtown Toronto. Canada’s team will be celebrated for its extraordinary impact on national culture, community, and pride, with the award accepted on behalf of the organisation by  Mark Shapiro, P...

Canada stands at the threshold of a new economic era. For decades, high-speed rail has been a dream deferred—an aspiration studied, debated, and shelved. Now, with Alto’s bold new plan to connect Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montréal, Laval, Trois-Rivières, and Québec City, that dream is finally becoming reality. Beneath the tracks lies a national opportunity to modernize production, source Cana...