News

The Canadian Club of Ottawa is pleased to announce its 2026–2027 Board of Directors and Executive.

As one of Ottawa’s longest-standing public affairs institutions, the Canadian Club of Ottawa has been a forum for national conversations, civic dialogue and public leadership for 123 years. Since its earliest days, the Club has brought together leaders, decision-makers and engaged citizens to discuss the issues shaping Canada.

That legacy is carried forward each year by a dedicated volunteer Board.

The Canadian Club of Ottawa is a volunteer-led organization. Its success depends on the leadership, commitment, experience and connections of its Board members, who give their time to help guide the Club, strengthen its programming, support its partnerships and ensure it remains a respected platform for thoughtful public conversation.

The Club is pleased to congratulate its 2026–2027 Executive:

• Muhammad Ali, President
• Chris Meyers, Treasurer
• Danielle McGee, Corporate Secretary
• Bryan Detchou, Vice-President, Operations and Communications
• Heather Meek, Vice-President, Sponsorship
• Alastair Mullin, Vice-President, Programming
  
• Jennifer Cross, Immediate Past-President

The Club also congratulates its 2026–2027 Directors:

• Alla Drigola Birk
• Andrew Bisson
• Mary Anne Carter
• Shannon Lundquist
• Aweis Osman
• Brian St. Louis
  

This year also marks a moment to recognize the leadership of Jennifer Cross, who moves into the role of Immediate Past-President after leading the Club through one of its most successful years in recent history.

Jennifer’s tenure helped strengthen the Club’s role as one of Ottawa’s premier public affairs platforms. Under her leadership, the Club continued to host timely, relevant and high-profile conversations that brought together leaders from government, business, civil society and the broader community.

In many ways, Jennifer follows in a long tradition of leaders who have left their mark on the Club. William Lyon Mackenzie King, one of the Club’s founding members, became President of the Canadian Club of Ottawa in 1904 before later serving as Canada’s 10th Prime Minister. More than a century later, each Board continues to carry forward the same spirit of civic engagement, national conversation and public service.

The Club also extends sincere thanks to  Geoff Turner and Bruce Raganold who have completed their service on the Board. Their time, guidance and commitment have helped strengthen the Club and support its mission.

As the Canadian Club of Ottawa enters its 2026–2027 season, the Board will continue to play a critical role in shaping the Club’s future while honouring its history. For 123 years, the Club has created space for ideas, leadership and dialogue. Thanks to the dedication of its volunteer Board, that important work continues.

On April 23, leaders from government, industry, and the business community gathered at the Fairmont Château Laurier for a luncheon discussion on one of the most consequential issues shaping Canada’s economic future: critical minerals.

The event opened with remarks from Claude Guay, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, who set the stage for a conversation grounded in both opportunity and urgency.

This was followed by a keynote address from Shaun Usmar, CEO of Vale Base Metals, who offered a global perspective on the evolving role of critical minerals in today’s economy. As demand accelerates and supply chains continue to shift, the discussion underscored the importance of positioning Canada as a reliable and competitive supplier.

The program concluded with a fireside chat featuring Candace Laing, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, which brought a broader business lens to the conversation. The discussion touched on the conditions needed to support investment, strengthen supply chains, and ensure Canada remains competitive in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Across the program, a common theme emerged: Canada is well-positioned, but realizing that potential will require coordination, clarity, and sustained focus.

Thank you to all those who joined us for this important conversation, and to Vale Base Metals for their support.

The Canadian Club of Ottawa welcomed a full room on March 31 at the Fairmont Château Laurier for Canada’s Will to Win | A Culture of Ambition, a timely discussion on the country’s economic and energy future.

The event featured a keynote address by François Poirier, President and CEO of TC Energy, who spoke to the need for a renewed culture of ambition in Canada—one grounded in clear decision-making, stronger alignment, and the ability to deliver major projects with confidence. Drawing on TC Energy’s 75-year legacy and lessons from some of the country’s most significant nation-building efforts, he outlined a path forward focused on unlocking Canada’s full economic potential.

The conversation continued with a fireside chat between Poirier and Harry Culham, President and CEO of CIBC, bringing together two of Canada’s top CEOs for a candid discussion on investment, competitiveness, and the role of leadership in driving progress. Together, they explored how governments, industry, and Indigenous partners can work more effectively to move projects forward and create the conditions for long-term growth.

The event underscored the importance of ambition—not just as an idea, but as a practical approach to strengthening Canada’s position in a rapidly evolving global economy.

Thank you to our speakers and to everyone who joined us for this important discussion.

View the event livestream recording.

View all photos in Google drive.  

Thank you to everyone who joined us on March 23, 2026 for Arctic Neighbours: Advancing Canada’s Defence Export Potential Together.

Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab, spoke about the shared strengths of Canada and Sweden and why our countries are natural partners in advancing innovation, security, and defence. The conversation continued with a fireside chat led by Graham Richardson, Ottawa Bureau Chief for CTV.

A big thank you to Saab for making this event possible as well as to all our season sponsors (Deloitte, PWC, Welch LLP, RBC and The Hill Times) for their generous support. 

See a few highlights below or visit view all the photos in Google Drive.