Canadian Chamber of Commerce Launches the Future of Business Summit

Press Release

January 29, 2026

A New National Platform to Redefine Business Leadership and Canada’s Path Forward

OTTAWA, ON – January 29, 2026 — At a moment of profound economic, social and geopolitical change, Canada’s business community faces a defining question: How will it lead what comes next? To meet that moment, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce today announced the launch of the Future of Business Summit, a new national gathering designed to reimagine business leadership, strengthen communities and help shape Canada’s future.

Taking place April 20–21, 2026, at the Rogers Centre in Ottawa, the Future of Business Summit will bring together leaders from the Canadian Chamber’s unparalleled network of corporations, chambers, and trade associations — alongside national business and political luminaries — to advance business building, community building and nation building across Canada.

“The Future of Business Summit marks a new chapter in how the Canadian Chamber brings business leaders together nationally,” said Candace Laing, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “When we create spaces for leaders from our entire society to think differently, earn each other’s trust and start working together, everyone gains from it. At a time when so much is being challenged and questioned, this is how our country can succeed.”

The Summit will bring together voices from across sectors, regions and generations, convening leaders from every corner of Canada for a national dialogue. The two-day program will feature bold, future-focused discussions with Canadian and international leaders, alongside opportunities for peer learning, business development and relationship building.

The First Round of Announced Speakers Includes:

The Honourable Bob Rae, Former Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations

Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Super Bowl LIV Champion and Entrepreneur

Alison Nankivell, President and CEO, Export Development Canada

Sean Boyd, Chair of the Board, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited

Cinzia Bazzo, Managing Director for Canada, Sage

Marie-Philippe Bouchard, President and CEO, CBC/Radio-Canada

Matina Stevis-Gridneff, Canada Bureau Chief, The New York Times

Michael Kovrig, Founder, StrategicEffects

Zita Cobb, Founder, Shorefast

Thomas Benjoe, CEO, Flowing River Capital

Cathy Thorpe, President and CEO, Nurse Next Door

Karen Greve Young, CEO, Futurpreneur

Simon Poulin, CEO and Co-Founder, Upside Drinks

Michelle Chawla, Director and CEO, Canada Council for the Arts

Sueling Ching, President and CEO, Ottawa Board of Trade

Bridgitte Anderson, President and CEO, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade

Nancy MacKay, Founder and CEO, MacKay CEO Forums

Michael Rubinoff, Artistic Director, The Musical Stage Company (Come From Away)

Tim Lucas, Head of North America and Head of Content & Learning Design, Hyper Island

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 include Amazon, Export Development Canada, Sage, Agnico Eagle, McKesson Canada and Air Canada. Opportunities to get involved remain available and can be explored through the event webpage.

CBC/Radio-Canada is the National Media Partner for this event, and the Canadian Chamber is proud to collaborate for this event with our Community Partners, the Ottawa Board of Trade, the Gatineau Chamber of Commerce and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

More information about the Future of Business Summit and additional speakers will be released ahead of the event.

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 business 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.

Media Contact and for Media Registration, please contact:

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

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