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

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.

2027 Spring Member Forum

Apr 20, 2027 – Apr 21, 2027
Fort Garry Hotel, Winnipeg

Details will be available in early 2027.

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
  • Dr. Ken Coates, Professor Emeritus, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Saskatchewan 
  • Louis-Vincent Gave, Founding Partner & CEO, Gavekal Research
  • RAdm. Nigel Greenwood, Principal Consultant, Greenwood Maritime Solutions
  • Paul Gruner, Chief Executive Officer, Tlicho Investment Corp.
  • Dr. Richard Haass, President, Council on Foreign Relations
  • Robert D. Kaplan, Geopolitical expert and best-selling author
  • Dr. Whitney Lackenbauer, Canada Research Chair (Tier 1), Study of the Canadian North, Trent University
  • 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
  • Jim Stanford, Economist & Director, Centre for Future Work
  • Peter Tirschwell, Vice President, Maritime, Trade & Supply Chain, S&P Global Market Intelligence


Top left: RAdm. Nigel Greenwood, top right: RDr. Ken Coates, bottom left: Paul Gruner, bottom right: Dr. Whitney Lackenbauer

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

2022 Spring Member Forum

Rethinking & Reimagining Canada

Apr 21, 2022 – Apr 22, 2022
Hotel Saskatchewan, Regina

At the 2021 Fall Member Forum, we focused on how today’s decisions dictate our future. We discussed the headwinds facing our economy, infrastructure challenges, and Canada’s slowing economic growth. We also spoke about the need for a bold plan…

Hon. Doyle Piwniuk, Government of Manitoba

Apr 7, 2022
Winnipeg

The roundtable is an opportunity for Minister Piwniuk to hear from select freight transportation executives across the Western Canadian transportation industry. The discussion focused on strategic issues facing the sector and opportunities for…

2021 Fall Member Forum

A Legacy in the Making: The Impact of Critical Decisions on Canadian Prosperity

Dec 8, 2021 – Dec 9, 2021
Westin Bayshore, Vancouver

Decisions of today will dictate our future. They should be guided not only by what we know but shaped by the risks we anticipate and the future we desire. The 2021 Fall Member Forum seeks to bring insights into the economic and tectonic forces shaping our…

Serge Bijimine, ADM, Policy, Transport Canada

Dec 7, 2021
Vancouver

A roundtable was held with Transport Canada’s Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy, Serge Bijimine. The objective of this roundtable was to have a frank discussion about freight transportation in Canada, including current supply chain challenges,…