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

Charting the Course in an Era of Uncertainty

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

Global economic forces, shifting trade dynamics, and political uncertainty in the U.S. are redefining the landscape for Canada’s freight transportation and export sectors. WESTAC’s 2025 Spring Member Forum will provide a forward-looking…

2025 Fall Member Forum

Oct 29, 2025 – Oct 30, 2025
Chateau Nova Hotel, Yellowknife

A program and registration details will be available in early summer.

2026 Spring Member Forum

Apr 16, 2026 – Apr 17, 2026
Hotel Saskatchewan, Regina

A program and registration details will be available in early 2026.

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.

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

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.

2019 Fall Member Forum

Exceptional Speaker Series II

Nov 14, 2019
Westin Calgary Airport

This forum aims to prepare WESTAC members to identify opportunities and strategies to navigate the unsettled waters ahead. To help, WESTAC is hosting two acclaimed economists: David Rosenberg and Dr. George Friedman for in-depth discussions on a…