Keynotes
2026 Connections Conference – Keynote Speakers & Panels
Keynote Speaker
Chief of the Defence Staff
Government of Canada – Department of National Defence
General Jennie Carignan is a trailblazing Canadian military engineer and the first woman to serve as Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff. General Carignan will dive into the strategic priorities of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the essential role of skills, education, and innovation partnerships in strengthening Canada’s defence readiness – including meeting evolving operational demands and the importance of coordinated national approaches to training capacity, long‑term readiness, and military–civilian interoperability.
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how collaboration with colleges and institutes can help a stronger, more secure Canada.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 | 13:00 – 14:30
Confederation Ballroom
Keynote Fireside Chat
Shared Challenges, Shared Solutions: A North American Post-Secondary Education Dialogue
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | 8:30 – 9:45
Confederation Ballroom
About the Session
This high-level fireside chat brings together North American perspectives for a conversation on shared postsecondary challenges across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Panelists will examine the geopolitical and economic shifts shaping higher education and highlight opportunities for stronger trilateral collaboration to support learners and institutional resilience.
Panel Speakers
President and CEO
Humber Polytechnic (Moderator)
Executive Secretary General
National Association of Universities and Higher Education Institutions (ANUIES)
Keynote Roundtable
National Missions: Building the Workforce Canada Needs
Thursday, April 23, 2026 | 8:30 – 9:45
Confederation Ballroom
About the Session
As Canada accelerates major infrastructure, clean energy, defence, and housing initiatives, workforce capacity remains a critical constraint. Without a skilled talent pipeline, national priorities cannot advance at pace.
This panel convenes leaders from industry, economic policy, and the college and institute sector to examine structural workforce gaps and practical solutions. The discussion will explore high-demand skills, system-level reforms, and the essential role of colleges and institutes as regional workforce hubs supporting national execution and long-term economic resilience.
Panel Speakers
Minister of Jobs and Families & Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Government of Canada (Moderator)
Keynote Panel
Shaping the Next Generation of Leaders
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 | 13:00 – 14:00
Confederation Ballroom
About the Session
This student panel features recipients of CICan’s Student Leadership Excellence Award sharing how their postsecondary experiences have shaped them as leaders and as contributors to strong communities. Panelists will reflect on the key moments and challenges that influenced their growth, highlighting the importance of student voice in shaping the next generation of leaders.
