events

WESTAC brings together transportation leaders at a variety of events throughout the year.

  • Member Forums: WESTAC’s signature event is its bi-annual Member Forum, a one- to two-day member-only event offering in-camera presentations and discussions about topical issues. Featuring high-profile speakers, they allow for the lively exchange of ideas and opinions and provide opportunities for informal meetings between senior industry representatives and decision-makers.
  • Roundtables: WESTAC regularly hosts member-only roundtables for newly appointed ministers of transportation from across the region. The Council is called upon to convene and facilitate seminars and workshops on specific issues impacting transportation across Western Canada.

 

Upcoming Events

2025 Fall Member Forum

True North, Strong and Free

Oct 29, 2025 – Oct 30, 2025
Chateau Nova Hotel, Yellowknife

Canada’s North is at a defining moment, where long-standing aspirations for development, sovereignty, and connectivity must finally translate into action. The 2025 Fall Member Forum will bring together WESTAC members and experts to examine the…

2026 Spring Member Forum

Apr 16, 2026 – Apr 17, 2026
Hotel Saskatchewan, Regina

A program and registration details will be available in early 2026.

2026 Fall Member Forum

Nov 18, 2026 – Nov 19, 2026
Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Vancouver

A program and registration details will be available in summer 2026.

PAST SPEAKERS


WESTAC hosts thought leaders and expert speakers at its annual forums. Below is a small selection of recent speakers.

  • Pedro Antunes, Chief Economist, Conference Board of Canada
  • Darrell Bricker, Chief Executive Officer, Ipsos Public Affairs
  • Hon. David Eby, Premier, Government of British Columbia
  • Louis-Vincent Gave, Founding Partner & CEO, Gavekal Research
  • Dr. Richard Haass, President, Council on Foreign Relations
  • Karen Harris, Managing Director, Macro Trends Group, Bain & Company
  • Robert D. Kaplan, Geopolitical expert and best-selling author
  • Hon. A. Anne McLellan, Co-Chair, Coalition for a Better Future
  • Bruce Mehlman, Partner, Mehlman Consulting
  • Heather Paddock, Region 4 Transportation Director, Colorado Department of Transportation
  • Marie-France Paquet, Chief Economist, Global Affairs Canada
  • Stephen Poloz, Special Advisor, Osler
  • David Rosenberg, Chief Economist and Strategist, Gluskin Sheff + Associates
  • Christian Sinclair, First Nation Financial Planner, Opaskwayak Cree Nation
  • Jim Stanford, Economist & Director, Centre for Future Work
  • Peter Tirschwell, Vice President, Maritime, Trade & Supply Chain, S&P Global Market Intelligence


Top left: Pedro Antunes, top right: Robert D. Kaplan, bottom left: Bruce Mehlman, bottom right: Peter Tirschwell

PAST EVENTS

WESTAC addresses timely, strategic transportation issues through its Member Forums, roundtables and industry conferences. Follow the link below to see a full list of past events or browse through the most recent events listed below.

SEE PHOTOS FROM PAST EVENTS

Hon. Mike Farnworth, Goverment of British Columbia

Jul 3, 2025
Vancouver

The roundtable was an opportunity for Minister Farnworth to hear from a small group of freight transportation executives across the Western Canadian transportation industry. WESTAC members represent the interests of business, labour, and government in…

2025 Spring Member Forum

Charting the Course in an Era of Uncertainty

Apr 30, 2025 – May 1, 2025
Fairmont Hotel Macdonald/Government House, Edmonton

Global economic forces, shifting trade dynamics, and political uncertainty in the U.S. are redefining the landscape for Canada’s freight transportation and export sectors. WESTAC’s 2025 Spring Member Forum will provide a forward-looking…

Hon. David Marit, Government of Saskatchewan

Mar 20, 2025
Regina

The roundtable was an opportunity for Minister Marit to hear from a small group of freight transportation executives across the Western Canadian transportation industry. WESTAC members represent the interests of business, labour, and government in…

2025 Compass Report Webinar

Jan 23, 2025
Zoom

WESTAC is hosting a special webinar unveiling the 8th Annual Compass Report. This unique WESTAC product is a barometer of the transportation industry’s health and trends. The 2025 Compass Report captures critical insights, expectations, and…