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.
  • Conferences: Periodically, WESTAC hosts high-quality larger conferences that are open to the wider transportation community.


Upcoming Events


2018 Spring Member Forum

Evolution in Transportation: Incremental Steps Towards Optimization

May 3, 2018 – May 4, 2018
Fairmont Hotel, Winnipeg

The 2018 Spring Member Forum will explore opportunities to evolve the Western Canadian transportation system within the next five years. The meeting aims to assess the options available to advance the industry in more incremental ways versus the disruptive forces that have dominated recent discussions.

Expert Forum On Coastal Transportation Infrastructure

Climate Change and Coastal Transportation Infrastructure

May 16, 2018 – May 17, 2018
Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue

This Forum will focus on the management of risks associated with extreme weather, natural disasters, sea level rise, and climate change as they impact the movement of people and goods in coastal communities in British Columbia.

PAST SPEAKERS

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

  • A. Gary Shilling, Forbes and Bloomberg columnist
  • Brian Lee Crowley, Managing Director, Macdonald-Laurier Institute
  • Buzz Hargrove, Former President of the CAW, Distinguished Visiting Professor at Ryerson University's Ted Rogers School of Management
  • Colin Robertson, Former Canadian Diplomat
  • Hon. David Emerson, Chair of Canada Transportation Act Review, former Federal Minister
  • Dr. Laurence C. Smith, Chair of Geography and Professor of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, UCLA and author of the World in 2050.
  • Dr. Linda Duxbury, Professor, Sprott School of Business
  • Patricia Mohr, ‎Vice-President, Economics & commodity market specialist, The Scotiabank Group
  • Robert Johnston, CEO, Eurasia Group

Top left: Brian Lee Crowley, top right: Dr. Laurence C. Smith, bottom left: Linda Duxbury, bottom right: Buzz Hargrove

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 ALL PAST EVENTS

Hon. Ron Schuler Roundtable, Manitoba

Welcome roundtable for new Manitoba Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. Ron Schuler. 

Mar 5, 2018
Winnipeg

Stakeholders briefed Minister Schuler on issues and opportunities in the Western Canadian transportation system, with a focus on Manitoba.

2017 Fall Member Forum

Forces of Change

Nov 6, 2017 – Nov 7, 2017
Calgary, Sheraton Suites Eau Claire

This Forum provides an opportunity to think about longer-term global issues to support the strategic decisions leaders must make for their organization. The 'forces' which will be explored include: One Belt, One Road; blockchain, shipping industry transformations and the future of work.

Hon. David Marit and Hon. Lyle Stewart Roundtable, Saskatchewan

Roundtable for Saskatchewan's Minister of Highways & Infrastructure, Hon. David Marit, and Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Lyle Stewart. 

Apr 26, 2017
Regina

Stakeholders briefed the Ministers on issues and opportunities in the western Canadian transportation system, with a focus on Saskatchewan. 

2017 Spring Member Forum

Capacity Conversations

Apr 26, 2017 – Apr 27, 2017
Regina

At the 2017 Spring Member Forum, WESTAC members representing the shipper and the service provider communities will be encouraged to share information and insight to improve capacity and service.

Women in Transportation: A WESTAC and APGST Roundtable

Women in Transportation: A WESTAC and APGST Roundtable

Mar 14, 2017
Vancouver, BC

WESTAC is bringing together stakeholders for a conversation on engaging women in leadership roles within the transportation industry. The roundtable is hosted by the Asia Pacific Gateway Skills Table and organized by WESTAC. A report synthesizing the experiences of over 30 women in the sector will be made available prior to the roundtable. Registration is complimentary and by invitation only. 

21st Annual Fields on Wheels Conference

Grain Complexity: Grow it, Move it and Trade it!

Oct 21, 2016
Winnipeg, MB

For 20 years the Fields on Wheels conferences have presented expert speakers, expanding the knowledge base and fostering discussion on developing trends and changes in the grain supply chain.

2016 Fall Member Forum

Exceptional Speaker Series

Oct 13, 2016 – Oct 14, 2016
Vancouver, BC

As organizations head into the new year, certain factors are bound to have a substantial bearing on the global economy and cascading impacts for transportation and trade in Western Canada.

Hon. Blaine Pedersen Roundtable, Manitoba

Welcome roundtable for new Manitoba Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. Blaine Pedersen

Sep 6, 2016
Winnipeg, MB

Stakeholders briefed the Minister on issues and opportunities in the Western Canadian transportation system, with a focus on Manitoba.

Pacific Gateway Alliance Grain Workshop

Exporting Grain Through West Coast Ports

May 27, 2016
Regina, SK

This workshop was a follow up to the New West Partnership Transportation Summit that was held in Regina, Saskatchewan, in November 2014. The purpose of the Summit was to explore ways to improve the long-term efficiency, reliability, and competitiveness of western Canada’s transportation system. At the Summit it was decided that the Pacific Gateway Alliance (PGA) will lead this work. The PGA is a unique partnership of transportation industries and the governments of Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.

2016 Spring Member Forum

What's Next for Infrastructure? Planning & Investing for the Future

May 3, 2016 – May 4, 2016
Edmonton, AB

Western Canada’s transportation infrastructure can and must support Canada’s trade objectives and continue to move products safely, efficiently and competitively.