Event summary produced by The Globe and Mail Events team. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.
Industries in Canada are facing a range of workforce challenges, from an aging population to immigration reform, to technology-driven disruption.
These issues are set against the backdrop of global instability and geopolitical change. As Canada embarks on a new era of nation-building how might we develop a workforce to support long-term prosperity, business resilience, and national security?
On October 22 The Globe and Mail brought CEOs, policy makers, technology and workforce experts together to discuss how to build and sustain Canada’s workforce for a resilient future.
Missed the live event or would like to view it again? Scroll down to the video player below.
Andrew Saunders, President and CEO of The Globe and Mail opened the event before handing off to Lisa Lalande, CEO of Century Initiative. Ms. Lalande presented the organization’s 2025 edition of the National Scorecard on Canada’s Growth and Prosperity.
Following her remarks, Jim Balsillie, retired chair and co-CEO of Research In Motion (BlackBerry); and co-founder of the Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) gave a presentation and interview on the factors stymieing Canada’s economic growth, youth employment and housing affordability, and the impacts of AI.
Rita Trichur, senior business writer and columnist with The Globe and Mail then joined Mr. Balsillie on stage for an interview. Ms. Trichur also moderated a panel discussion of corporate executives sharing their experiences and strategies for building a competitive workforce. The panel included:
- George Vassallo, president and CEO of Bothwell-Accurate
- Justine Hendricks, president and CEO of Farm Credit Canada
- Kelly Higginson, president and CEO of Restaurants Canada
- Penny Wise, global vice-president, public policy and communications with 3M
Muraly Srinarayanathas, executive chairman and co-founder of 369 Global wrapped up the first half of the program with reflections on immigration and strategies to strengthen skills, talent and prosperity in Canada.
Following the break Sara Mojtehedzadeh, investigative reporter with The Globe and Mail moderated a policy-focused panel discussion, featuring:
- Parisa Mahboubi, associate director of research with C.D. Howe Institute
- Goldy Hyder, president and CEO of the Business Council of Canada
- Carole Saab, CEO of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Panelists discussed the importance of ensuring Canada’s housing and municipal infrastructure can keep pace with growth, how our nation can take a more strategic approach to population growth, and how we might collectively repair our long-standing public consensus on immigration.
Following the panel Shamira Madhany, managing director for Canada and deputy executive director of World Education Services (WES), spoke about her personal experiences and how they have shaped her views and work on immigration, inclusion and education.
To conclude the event, The Honourable Jean Charest, former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and former Premier of Québec; and partner at Therrien Couture Jolicoeur, engaged in a conversation with Patrick Brethour, editorials editor with The Globe and Mail.
Mr. Charest discussed shifts toward immigration and skills-building at the federal level, the importance of federal-provincial cooperation on issues such as workforce and infrastructure, and the notion of delaying retirement to ease worker shortages and support a healthier population through aging.
View the full event below:
The Globe and Mail presented the event with support from Century Initiative, World Education Services (WES), the Business Council of Canada and 3 Magazine. To learn about upcoming Globe and Mail events please see: www.globeandmail.com/events