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

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…

2020 Fall Member Forum

WHAT’S NEXT? The Aftermath of the COVID-19 Crisis

Oct 14, 2020 – Oct 23, 2020
October 14, 16, 21 & 23 - Online Event

The COVID-19 pandemic is, first and foremost, a global health crisis that triggered enormous economic consequences. The World Trade Organization estimates that global merchandise trade plunged 18.5% in the second quarter of 2020 and forecasts an overall…

2020 Spring Member Forum - CANCELLED

Apr 29, 2020 – Apr 30, 2020

In light of ongoing developments regarding COVID-19 and consistent with precautions taken by Health Canada and other provincial and international health agencies, we have made the decision to cancel this year's Spring Member Forum. For our Fall…

Hon. Ric McIver, Alberta

Welcome roundtable for new Alberta Minister of Transportation, Hon. Ric McIver.

Mar 9, 2020
Calgary

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