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 Spring Member Forum

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

Program and registration details will be available in early 2025.

2025 Fall Member Forum

Oct 2, 2025 – Oct 3, 2025
Explorer Hotel, Yellowknife

Program and registration details will be available in the summer of 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
  • 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
  • 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: Heather Paddock, 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. 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…