Opening Plenary

2026 Opening Plenary Agenda
(May 22-24, 2026)

All participants will begin their leadership journey in Quebec City, Québec, for a three-day plenary session. Members will be addressed by high-profile Canadian speakers on issues that provide focus and substance to the Conference theme. For reference purposes, you will find below the preliminary schedule for the 2026 Opening Plenary. All times are subject to change.

Conference members start to arrive in Quebec City

Shuttle transportation is available from Jean Lesage International Airport.

Secretariat meeting with Study Group Chairs

Social evening for early arrivals at the hotel

7am – 9:30 am

9:00 am

12:00 – 1:30pm

2:00 pm

First Study Group meeting

3:00 pm

Sectoral group meetings (for Labour, Government and Indigenous members)

4:30 pm

Reception (Hilton Québec)

5:00 pm

• Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada
• Grand Chief Picard of the Wendat Nation
• The Honourable Manon Jeannotte, Lieutenant Governor of Quebec
• Rideau Hall Foundation President and CEO Teresa Marques
• Monique Leroux, GGCLC 2026 Conference Chair.

6:30 pm

Conference opening dinner and keynote presentation

8:00 pm

Setting the Stage on Leading Canada’s Sustainable Prosperity 

Moderated discussion by Conference Chair Monique Leroux, where GGCLC Alumni will collectively discuss their views on the speaking segments, while sharing their personal GGCLC experience to guide delegates as they prepare to embark on their leadership journey. 

Speakers: 

• Ranj Pillai, Former Premier, Government of Yukon (2012 Alumni)
• Dr. Konwatsitsawi Meloche, Educator and Historian (2012 Alumni)
• Sean Wiltshire, CEO, Avalon Employment Inc. (2000 Alumni)
• Isabelle Foisy, President, Point Cardinal / Coach, HEC Montréal (2015 Alumni)

9:30 pm

Opening dinner concludes

8:00 am

Welcome remarks from Conference Chair

8:03 am

Remarks from Rideau Hall Foundation Board members Yves Pelletier and Victoria Belbin 

8:10 am

Session 1: Leadership, Resilience and Volatility 

How do leaders steer organizations and communities through turbulence while building resilience for the future? This segment will explore how leaders can thrive in uncertainty while advancing Canada’s sustainable prosperity.  

Speakers: 

• Siobhan Vipond, Executive Vice-President, Canadian Labour Congress

• Dr. Niigaan Sinclair, Author, columnist & professor in indigenous Studies, University of Manitoba 

• Claudine Bouchard, President and CEO, Hydro Québec 

10:15 am

Break

10:30 am

Session 2: Leadership, Identity and Canada’s Place in the World  

Canada’s leadership is shaped by its diverse identity and global role. This segment will explore how values, culture, and diplomacy can define (and/or redefine) Canada’s voice domestically as well as on the world stage.  

Speakers: 

• Ms. Sevaun Palvetzian, CEO, Unicef Canada 

• Natan Obed, President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami  

• Cameron Bailey, Chief Executive Officer, TIFF  

12:30 pm

Lunch

1:30 pm

Session 3: Leadership, Self-Reliance and Autonomy 

Exploring what it means for Canada to be self-reliant in an interconnected world? This segment will examine how autonomy in resources, innovation, and decision-making can support sustainable growth. 

Speakers: 

• Sean Willy, President and CEO, Des Nedhe Group
• Zita Cobb, Founder and CEO, Shorefast Foundation
• Angella MacEwen, Senior Economist, CUPE
• Dr. François Grondin, Professor, Faculty of Engineering, uSherbrooke

3:30 pm

Study Group meetings (if time permits)

5:30 pm

Members travel to offsite evening experience

Evening reception, dinner and evening at La Citadelle

6:15 pm

Reception, dinner and evening in Quebec City

10:00 pm

Last shuttle departs from offsite event to return to hotel

6:00 am

Breakfast
Ahead of plenary, delegates should check-out of their rooms and bring their luggage to the Operations Room for storage.

8:00 am

Session 4: Leadership and Security  

From building climate resilience to addressing digital risks, security is essential for prosperity. This segment will explore how Canada supports and protects its people, systems, and values in a rapidly changing landscape. 

Speakers: 

• Sara Olsvig, Chair, Inuit Circumpolar Council 

• LGen Darcy Molstad, Commander Canadian Joint Forces Command

• Bob Rae, Former Canadian Ambassador to the UN  

9:45 am

Break

10:00 am

Keynote Session: Leading Canada’s Sustainable Prosperity 

Reflecting on key insights and conversations from the opening plenary, drawing connections back to the central theme of Leading Canada’s Sustainable Prosperity. Surrounded by distinguished Canadian leaders, GGCLC Chair Monique Leroux will moderate a dialogue that offers fresh perspectives and collective reflections to inspire, motivate, and equip participants as they embark on their study tours, and ready to translate ideas into action for a more sustainable and inclusive future. 

Segment 1 – A Canadian Vision from a Business Cooperative perspective 

Speakers:  

• Monique Leroux, GGCLC Chair (Moderator) 

• Denis Dubois, President, Mouvement Desjardins  

Segment 2 – A Canadian Vision from a Labour, Business and Community perspective 

Speakers:  

• Beatrice Bruske, President, Canadian Labour Congress
• Tabatha Bull, President, Canadian Council for Indigenous Business

Segment 3 – A Canadian Vision from a Military Perspective

Speakers:  

• Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Can. Navy

Segment 4 – A Canadian Vision from an International Perspective

Speakers:  

• Janice Charette, Chief Trade Negotiator to the US

12:15 pm

Closing Remarks by Governor General and Conference Chair

12:45 pm

Lunch available at hotel

1:15 pm

Departure of Study Groups by bus to Jean Lesage International Airport

2:00 pm

Shuttle to Jean Lesage Airport available for speakers and guest attendees