Canada's Productivity Summit
Driving Investment for Economic Growth and Prosperity
BMO Centre at Stampede Park | October 16-17, 2024
Calgary, AB
About the Summit
Canada’s Productivity Summit will gather experts from across the country to explore multiple aspects of our nation’s economic growth and productivity. Taking place on October 16-17, 2024, the summit will be hosted by the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy and take place at the BMO Centre in Calgary, Alberta.
Why attend?
Productivity is at the heart of any robust economy, underpinning long-term improvements in living standards, and it has far-reaching implications for almost all areas of public policy. There are countless factors that impact economic performance, but relatively little is known about the reasons for Canada’s recent challenges. Since 2015, real disposable income growth of Canadian families has been slower than any other eight-year period outside of the Great Depression or the 1990s recession. Explanations range from a lack of business innovation, lacklustre capital investment and interprovincial trade barriers, to inefficient features of our taxation and regulatory system. This summit will examine how we can invigorate growth and increase economic stability for the benefit of Canadians in the future.
Summit Highlights
Canada’s Productivity Summit will gather business and community leaders, economists, policymakers, scholars, and more from across the country. The objectives are to reach a comprehensive understanding of these issues, identify opportunities for improvement across a number of sectors, and craft actionable recommendations for policymakers.
The summit will delve into key topics that:
- Create an environment for policy innovations that raise economic growth across Canada
- Offset inflationary pressures, accelerate wage growth and address the ongoing affordability crisis
- Generate additional revenues to support spending on infrastructure, education, healthcare and social services
- Respond to upcoming structural challenges such as shifting demographics, climate change, innovation and technological change
- Identify what influence government policies and private decisions could have on our nation’s growth
- Resolve fiscal imbalances and reverse the trend towards higher deficits
BMO Centre at Stampede Park
1912 Flores LaDue Parade SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2W1
Canada’s Productivity Summit will be hosted at the newly expanded BMO Centre at Stampede park located in the Beltline District south of downtown Calgary. It is the largest convention centre in the city and the largest in Western Canada.
Summit Official Announcement
"This is about collaborating on the challenges our economy faces. Higher productivity means better jobs, bigger paycheques, more opportunities, and increased affordability, but Canada’s productivity growth has lagged our closest competitors. This summit will gather some of the best minds out there to better define this problem and propose solutions."
Hon. Nate Horner
President of Treasury Board and Finance, Government of Alberta
"Raising productivity means better equipment and tools for workers. It means more training and better, more efficient management practices. All of this together creates more value in our workdays. Prince Edward Island looks to improve our productivity, and we’re excited to work together with our provincial and territorial partners in a collective effort towards a stronger economy we will all benefit from."
Hon. Jill Burridge
Minister of Finance, Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island
Canada’s Productivity Summit is organized by the School of Public Policy, with the Government of Alberta as its presenting sponsor. The generous support received from the Government of Alberta emphasizes the importance the province places on raising economic growth, boosting incomes and living standards, and ensuring that funding our infrastructure and vital public services is managed sustainably into the future.
Featured Speakers
Hon. John Manley, P.C., O.C.
Chair, Jefferies Securities Inc., Former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada
Hon. Danielle Smith
Premier of Alberta, MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat
Christopher Ragan
Associate Professor of Macroeconomics and Public Policy, McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy
Ryan Greer
Vice President, Public Affairs and National Policy, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME)
Dwight Duncan, MBA, JD (Hons.)
Senior Advisor Investor Relations Canada, Bernstein, Litowitz, Berger and Grossman LLP (BLB&G)
George Efthimiopoulos
Director of Innovation & Research Programs, Ciena
Laura Jones
President and Chief Executive Officer, Business Council of BC.
Goldy Hyder
President and Chief Executive Officer, Business Council of Canada
Andrew Coyne
Columnist, The Globe and Mail
Tentative Schedule
Continue to check back as we frequently make updates to our program agenda for both days.
Day One
Foundations for Growth and Prosperity
October 16, 2024
8:30 - 18:00 MT (Mountain Time)
HYBRID denotes that the session will be live-streamed for online access conference pass holders
Our opening session sets the stage for two days of discussions, presentations and collaboration to find solutions to Canada's productivity challenge.
Speakers: Martha Hall Findlay (School of Public Policy); Edward McCauley (University of Calgary)
Respected economists and top business leaders discuss the critical need to boost Canada's productivity and what it will mean for economic growth, investment and our future prosperity.
Speakers: Chris Ragan (McGill University); Jean-Francois Perrault (Scotiabank); Michelle Alexopoulos (University of Toronto); Deb Yedlin (Calgary Chamber of Commerce); Tim Sargent (MLI)
The Business Council of Canada's Heather Scoffield leads a fireside chat with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on the threat declining productivity poses for all Canadians and the need for a pan-Canadian approach to address it.
Speaker: Danielle Smith (Premier of Alberta) and Heather Scoffield (Business Council of Canada)
Leading pollsters and communications experts will examine strategies for connecting with broad audiences on issues related to productivity, economic growth, and policy reforms.
Speakers: David Coletto (Abacus Data); Tony Keller (Globe and Mail); Hannah Thibedeau (Global Public Affairs); Scott Crockatt (Business Council of Alberta)
Hear from Indigenous leaders how economic opportunity can work hand-in-hand with Canada's reconciliation efforts, and how Indigenous principles can enhance Canadian productivity.
Speakers: Matthew Foss (Canadian Council for Indigenous Business); Dazawray Landrie-Parker (Mokwateh); Blaine Favel; Crystal Smith (Haisla Nation); Bryce Starlight (Taza Development Corp)
Join this session to learn about the infrastructure investment needed to unlock Canada’s growth potential and how public and private sector collaboration is required to make those investments happen.
Speakers: Breanne Oliver (CN Rail); Chris Phelan (Canadian Airports Council); Robin Silvester (Former CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority); G. Kent Fellows (University of Calgary)
People. Skills. Mobility. Partnerships. Beyond investments in targeted immigration and infrastructure, this session examines ways to increase the supply of skilled workers Canada needs to build on our strengths and compete in a modern economy.
Speakers: Sylvain Giguere (MITACS); Jason Leslie (Alberta Chambers of Commerce); Joseph Marchand (University of Alberta); Chantal Ritcey (AtlaML); George Efthimiopoulos (CIENA); Faheem Khan (Aro Robotic Systems)
Leading tax policy experts helps uncover strategies for creating a fiscal and tax landscape that fuels the investment and innovation needed to sustain long-term economic growth.
Speakers: Kevin Milligan (University of British Columbia); Fred O'Riordan (EY Canada); Bev Dahlby (University of Calgary)
Hear leading economists discuss the critical connections and impacts of monetary and macroeconomic policies on Canada's economy.
Speakers: Lawrence Schembri (Former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Canada); Robert Asselin (Business Council of Canada); Mark Parsons (ATB); Bev Dahlby (University of Calgary)
Engaging. Thought-provoking. Insightful. Join The Globe & Mail columnist Andrew Coyne's keynote, which will offer his unfiltered perspective on Canada's productivity challenge.
Speakers: Andrew Coyne (Globe and Mail)
For decades, trade barriers within Canada have hurt our ability to trade and build on the industries in each province and territory. This session will address the critical need to "tear down those interprovincial barriers" to increase productivity.
Speakers: Goldy Hyder (Business Council of Canada); Laura Jones (Business Council of British Columbia); Rob Booker (Trigon); Trevor Tombe (University of Calgary)
Canada needs to attract international investment to advance a more innovative economy. This session will address how new ideas, technology, policy and financing must come together to improve productivity and economic prosperity.
Speakers: Jess Sinclair (Council of Canadian Innovators); Alejandro Adem (President of NSERC); Terry Rock (Platform Calgary); Nicole Jansen (AltaML); David Chan (Amii)
Canada needs the world and the world needs Canada. This session will detail the risks and opportunities around government trade policy and how private sector companies can navigate the shifts in trade patterns and the global economy.
Speakers: Laura Dawson (Future Borders Coalition); Steve Verheul (GT&Co); Keith Halliday (Boston Consulting Group); Megan Zimmerman (Calgary Economic Development)
Net zero. Energy transition. Climate change. This session will focus on the critical intersection of climate and economics and how organizations can enhance their productivity and competitiveness in an evolving environmental landscape.
Speaker(s): Myha Truong-Regan (RBC); Michael Berntsein (Clean Prosperity); Aaron Cosbey (Commission on Carbon Competitiveness); Jennifer Winter (ECCC and University of Calgary)
The public sector can help improve productivity and senior former public servants discuss why businesses and Canadians need their support to make it happen.
Speaker: Michael Wernick (University of Ottawa); David Nikolejsin (McCarthy Tétrault); Peter Wallace (Boston Consulting Group); Graham Flack
John Manley, one of Canada's most respected political and business leaders, leads a discussion our decades-old productivity challenge and how to position Canada to succeed in the modern economy.
Speakers: John Manley; Dwight Duncan; Serge Dupont; Martha Hall Findlay
That's a wrap for Day One. Hear about the Evening Reception and what's on the agenda for Day Two!
Speakers: Nate Horner (President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance)
Join your fellow conference attendees for an evening of delightful drinks, delicious appetizers and engaging conversations!
Day Two
Industry Day
October 17, 2024
8:30 - 12:15 MT (Mountain Time)
HYBRID denotes that the session will be live-streamed for online access conference pass holders
Day Two opens with a recap of the discussion to date and sets out the agenda to develop solutions to Canada's productivity challenge.
Speakers: Trevor Tombe (University of Calgary); Deborah Yedlin (Calgary Chamber of Commerce); Matt Jones (Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade)
This keynote address explores the opportunities and challenges on Canada's horizon so we can build on our strengths as a country and chart a path to prosperity in our modern economy.
Speakers: Ira Kalish (Global Chief Economist, Deloitte)
Canada's natural resources sector has long been a global leader. This session discusses emerging trends and policies impacting energy, mining and forestry and how these sectors can continue to drive economic prosperity.
Speakers: Mark Parsons (ATB); Gitane De Silva (Former CEO of Canada Energy Regulator); Jeff Lawson (Cenovus Energy); Heather Exner-Pirot (MLI); Lisa Baiton (CAPP)
More than hammers and nails, construction industry leaders assess the critical role that public policy plays with skilled trades and the impact the construction sector has on Canada's productivity rates.
Speakers: Charles St Arnaud (Alberta Central); Thomas Grell (Graham Construction); Scott Fash (CEO of BILD-Alberta); Jeff Griffiths (Canada West Foundation)
The manufacturing sector plays a major role in Canada's economy. In this session, industry leaders explore the latest innovations, challenges and policies that will drive improved productivity in the sector.
Speakers: Andrew Sharpe (CSLS); Ryan Greer (CME); Brian Kingston (CVMA); Heather Marshall (Creative Destruction Lab)
This session explores opportunities for telecommunications policy in Canada with industry leaders discussing the evolution of key trends and policies needed to improve productivity
Speakers: Shazia Zeb Sobani (Telus); Chad Saunders (University of Calgary)
The agri-food industry is constantly evolving and has been an enthusiastic adopter of technology to improve productivity. This session will assess the changes in the agriculture sector and the polices to ensure Canada can play a key role in helping feed the world.
Speakers: Marvin Slingerland (MNP Canada); Marlise Hunter (Tall Grass Ventures); Jean-Philippe Gervais (Farm Credit Canada); Nick Betts (CANZA); Kristjan Hebert (Hebert Group); Kim McConnell (AdFarm)
Speakers: Adam Legge (Business Council of Alberta); Martha Hall Findlay (The School of Public Policy)
Contact Us
If you have any further questions, please contact our team and one of our members will get back to you as soon as possible.
Registration & Ticketing
UCalgary Accommodations and Events
meeteatsleep@ucalgary.ca
General Event Info
productivity@ucalgary.ca
Media Inquiries
Gord Der Stepanian
gord.derstepanian@ucalgary.ca