Empire Club of Canada

At a time of global uncertainty and changes in Canada’s relationship with the United States—our largest trading partner—the need for national unity has never been more urgent. As economic pressures, geopolitical shifts, and questions about Canada’s place in the world intensify, unity is once again at the forefront of Canadian public discourse in 2026. This Empire Nights event will take place at a...

Just weeks after Canada’s counter-tariffs on $27.6 billion in U.S. imports take effect, following the breakdown of Canada–United States trade negotiations and the imposition of new U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods, it is time to reflect. Canada is entering a consequential period for its trading relationship with the United States—one that calls for a clear-eyed assessment of the country’s economic i...

Housing affordability remains one of Canada’s most pressing challenges. Meeting it will require more than funding alone. It will require new partnerships, new approaches, and a renewed focus on delivery.  As Canada’s newest federal Crown corporation, BCH was established to help unlock affordable housing supply by activating public land, deploying flexible financing, supporting modern methods of co...

Ontario's electricity demand is forecast to grow 65 percent by 2050. Canada has built at this scale before. The question now is whether it can build again, quickly, affordably and together, across nuclear generation, transmission, storage and cleaner fuels. At One Canada, Built Together: United to Secure Our Energy Future, James Scongack, Chair of the Green Ribbon Panel and Chief Operating Off...

Toronto is entering another defining political moment. With the next mayoral race already taking shape, voters, city-builders, community leaders, and business voices are asking what kind of leadership Canada’s largest city needs now. From Queen’s Park to Parliament Hill, questions of affordability, infrastructure, immigration, wildfires, taxation, trade, and public trust are shaping political land...

In June 2026, the Government of Canada launched Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy: AI for All . It is a plan to move Canada from invention to impact by building the trust Canadians need, expanding opportunity for workers, students and businesses, and strengthening Canada’s ability to control its own technological future. On  September 25th,  please join the  Empire Club of Canada ...

Toronto is a world-class city too often caught between big ambitions and everyday frustrations. From housing affordability and transit reliability to public safety, culture, and inclusive growth, the questions facing the city are immediate, practical, and deeply personal. As Toronto prepares to choose its next mayor, those questions carry even greater urgency. Building on the spirit of the Toronto...

Cinema is entering a new frontier where algorithms sit alongside directors, producers and performers, quietly reshaping what stories are told and how they reach the world.  “ AI and the New Rules of Cinema: Experience, Economics & Ethics Behind the Camera”   brings together the people designing that next era of entertainment to ask what artificial intelligence really means for the audience exp...

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...