In Case you Missed it

In just a few short years, the world has changed dramatically. A pandemic, war in Europe, and the resurgence of authoritarian governments around the world now means that liberal democracy - and the post-war world order that brought peace and prosperity to so many - now faces its greatest threat in decades.

Canada stands in proud defence of liberal democracy, and the values it represents, but we are not immune to these threats. Join Canada’s Foreign Minister, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, for a discussion on the state of play on the world stage and how Canada is focusing its efforts to increase our resilience, build new coalitions, and lead in a fractured world.

Lilly Canada celebrates 85 years as an affiliate in 2023. This marks the final year of the Centennial commemoration honouring Lilly’s partnership with the University of Toronto that made insulin widely available one hundred years ago. As a part of Lilly Canada’s commemoration of this important milestone, a panel discussion including leaders from the patient advocacy, public health policy and industry sectors will focus on addressing an array of issues, and solutions, that will impact Canadians’ health in a new era of care.

With the development of Canada’s Sustainable Agriculture Strategy underway, industry leaders and government are building a path towards sustainable business solutions to reduce emission across the agriculture and agri-food sector. How can innovation and technology play a role in this strategy? What role is AI playing in the sector now and in the future to support sustainability outcomes? Join a panel of experts as they discuss ways in which the Government of Canada, provinces, territories, and industry leaders can work together to accelerate sustainability outcomes in agriculture through innovation. The panel will examine connectivity, precision agriculture, AI and agricultural management practices to reduce emissions and take a deeper look at five priorities agreed to in the Guelph Statement, with a focus on science, research, and innovation.

Join the Economic Club of Canada for a timely panel discussion with chief economists who will examine the current Canadian housing market crisis and the key drivers impacting the Canadian housing market. With inflation and interest rates still in flux, a low supply, and an increase in immigration how can we make things more affordable for younger Canadians? Our panel of experts will dive into topics such as these while examining which markets are seeing the largest impacts and what we can expect in the coming months.

Around the world, businesses large and small, unions and governments are in a race to reduce carbon emissions, seize extraordinary economic opportunities, and avoid the destructive impacts of climate change.

Global financial markets are driving this investment shift through their investment decisions. The smartest money, in search of long-term gains, is steering away from assets that will perform poorly in a low-carbon world.

It’s up to us as a country to make the smartest possible choices: Canada can choose to be a leader in this global economic shift - or it will pass us by.

This federal government has chosen to lead.

Our recent experience with the COVID-19 pandemic illustrated the integral link between the health of a population and its prosperity.

This keynote address from Canada’s Minister of Health will explore the nexus of a healthy community and of a strong economy and how health can be a driver of economic growth in a post-COVID, rapidly changing world.

The evolving geopolitical context, an aging population, climate change, the loss of biodiversity and emerging health threats like antimicrobial resistance are adding to the numerous health challenges we are facing. This keynote will outline how an improved and more resilient health system can be an economic and societal game changer.

Targeted investments focused on prevention, health equity, data, innovation, planning and improved health worker support lead to better overall health outcomes, which in turn promote economic growth by supporting Canada’s workforce and by boosting productivity.

Survey after survey shows Canadians' enthusiasm for electric vehicles (EVs), but what is the actual level of interest when EVs remain much more expensive than ICE vehicles? How deep is that level of enthusiasm from Canadians given that for the last five years more than 50% of Canadians have indicated on surveys, that their next vehicle will be electric? Are we past the early adopter stage or past the “tipping point” for EV adoption? Furthermore, is the supply chain and infrastructure model ready? Are Canadian municipalities ready with planning and zoning changes to accommodate bulk charging of EVs? Are cities investing in infrastructure to accommodate EVs without garages? Is the power grid ready? Our panel of industry leaders dove into these questions and more!

The national healthcare summit is a signature annual event hosted by The Economic Club of Canada, featuring policy makers, patient leaders and health system innovators industry executives, policy makers and key government officials in conversation to provide an in-depth look at the healthcare landscape in Canada as it pertains to the economy, innovation, and the health and wellbeing of our labour force. Health system leaders and stakeholders discussed timely topics, including rare disease policy, pandemic recovery, cancer care, innovative treatments, mental health solutions, and forward thinking healthcare that will prepare our system for the needs of the future. 

Join the Economic Club of Canada for a follow-up conversation with Peter Routledge from the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions who will weigh in on the rapidly changing economic landscape, and how Canada’s financial system is responding to the pace of change. Superintendent Peter Routledge will discuss the big issues facing OSFI in 2023, how these issues compared to those discussed in 2022 and how his organization is responding to these ever changing issues.

Our world is more interconnected than ever before and with advancements in technology come new security risks. Consumers are facing threats at every turn with bad actors and cybercriminals constantly developing new techniques for stealing personal and financial data. For most businesses, it’s not a question of if a data breach or fraud will occur, but when. This threat is existential for small businesses, as 60% of SMBs close within 6 months of a successful cyber-attack. We must arm Canadian businesses with the information, tools and training to protect their businesses in this digital era. Join a panel of experts as they discuss the innovative measures that are currently being taken to mitigate cybersecurity threats.

Ontario’s Minister of Finance, Peter Bethlenfalvy, joined us for a keynote speech and fireside chat on Ontario’s 2023 Budget; Building a Strong Ontario, the province’s plan to support people and businesses today, while laying a strong fiscal foundation for the future.