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


2024 Spring Member Forum

Managing through Collective Challenges & Opportunities

May 7, 2024 – May 8, 2024
Hotel Grand Pacific, Victoria

Canada is a trading nation that relies on its abundance of natural resources and ability to move our goods to market promptly and predictably. As our transportation systems improve, so does our economic prosperity. Unfortunately, the reverse is also true.…

2024 Fall Member Forum

Nov 21, 2024 – Nov 22, 2024
CPKC Headquarters/Westin Hotel, Calgary

Program and registration details will be available in early fall.

2025 Spring Member Forum

May 6, 2025 – May 7, 2025
Fairmont Hotel Macdonald/Government House, Edmonton

Program and registration details will be available in early 2025.

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
  • 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
  • Hon. Scott Moe, Premier, Government of Saskatchewan
  • Marie-France Paquet, Chief Economist, Global Affairs Canada
  • Stephen Poloz, Special Advisor, Osler
  • Christian Sinclair, First Nation Financial Planner, Opaskwayak Cree Nation
  • Jim Stanford, Economist & Director, Centre for Future Work
  • Hon. Heather Stefanson, Premier, Government of Manitoba

Top left: Marie-France Paquet, top right: Robert D. Kaplan, bottom left: Christian Sinclair, bottom right: Pedro Antune

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. Omar Alghabra, Government of Canada

Jul 16, 2021
Vancouver

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

2021 Spring Member Forum

Future in Focus: Understanding New Imperatives

Apr 30, 2021 – May 14, 2021
Online Event

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that no institution or individual alone can address the economic, environmental, social and technological challenges facing our complex world. The pandemic accelerated many of the systemic changes that were underway. As…

Hon. Rob Fleming & Hon. Bowinn Ma, British Columbia

Apr 7, 2021
Online

The roundtable provided an opportunity for business representatives to have a discussion with BC’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Hon. Rob Fleming and the Hon. Bowinn Ma, Minister of State for Infrastructure, on the most pressing…

Hon. Fred Bradshaw, Saskatchewan

Mar 31, 2021
Online

Welcome roundtable for new Saskatchewan Minister of Highways, Hon. Fred Bradshaw. Transportation stakeholders and business executives briefed Minister Bradshaw on the most pressing issues facing the industry. The Hon. David Marit, Minister of…