NextGen 2026:Shaping the Future of Public Affairs Today
Description:
NextGen 2026: Shaping the Future of Public Affairs Today — Where Canadian Voices Drive Global Impact is the third annual national professional development event for Canadian public affairs and government relations practitioners, as well as those aspiring to enter the sector.
Build your skills, grow your network, and learn from top experts as we explore the forces shaping our sector. Topics include digital advocacy, Indigenous leadership, cross-border influence, rebuilding the Canadian economy, and more.
Advance your career. Expand your impact. Shape the future. Your next step starts at NextGen 2026.
Agenda
7:30–8:00 am Networking, coffee, tea and pastries
8:00–8:30 am Opening remarks and networking icebreaker
Elder Claudette Commanda, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, QC, and Chancellor of the University of Ottawa will open event, followed by The Honourable Mona Fortier, PC, MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who will provide welcoming remarks that set the tone for connection and learning.
Lydia Di Francesco, Workplace Health and Performance Practitioner at Fit + Healthy 365, will lead a short networking activity to help participants connect and get to know each other.
8:30–9:10 am Keynote: Cross-border advocacy
9:10–9:50 am Canada’s federal lobbying regime: Year in review and the road ahead
Nancy Bélanger, Canada’s Commissioner of Lobbying, will open the session with guidance on Canada’s evolving lobbying landscape. This will be followed by an armchair discussion with Guy Giorno, Partner and Political Law Lead at the Fasken law firm, on what lies ahead.
9:50–10:15 am Cutting through the noise: Digital advocacy essentials
Megan Buttle, President, Data, Digital and Design at Earnscliffe Strategies, will offer practical strategies for digital advocacy and explain how organizations can build influence online.
10:15–10:30 am Coffee break
10:30–11:10 am How international voices are shaping public opinion
Ihor Korbabicz, President of Abacus Data, will present fresh public opinion trends to help attendees understand what Canadians are thinking right now.
11:10–11:50 am Making sense of federal budget changes
Sahir Khan, Co-founder and Executive Vice-president of the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy, will walk participants through changes to the federal budget process and explain how advocates can engage in fiscal decision making.
11:50 am–12:35 pm Indigenous voices in Canadian politics
Moderated by Melissa Hammell, Co-Founder, Bridge Building Group, featuring Guy Freedman, Chair and Founding Partner of the First Peoples Group, Cam Holmstrom, Founder and Principal, Niipaawi Strategies, and Ellen Kuschnik, Manager, Public Affairs & Policy, NACCA, this panel will feature diverse voices sharing perspectives on economic development, partnership and leadership in Indigenous communities.
12:35–1:10 pm Networking and lunch
1:10–1:55 pm Ask the expert: Advocacy and career advice
Leaders including: Sabrina Grover, Senior Advisor, Northstar Public Affairs; Michelle Coates Maher, Vice-president of Public Affairs, Universities Canada; Matt Triemstra, Vice-president, Federal Affairs, Restaurants Canada; and Francesca Iacurto, Vice-president, Public Affairs and Member Engagement, The Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting, will offer practical guidance on building a career in advocacy, navigating government relations and finding your pathway in the sector. They will also take questions on advocacy strategies and government relations tactics, such as choosing the best approach for a specific policy goal or tailoring messages for decision makers.
1:55–2:00 pm Closing remarks
2:00 pm Event ends
Event Hosts:
Natasha Hope Morano
President, NHM Connect
Co-Founder & Host NextGen
Stephanie Mitton
Founder & CEO Beacon North Strategies
Co-Founder & Host NextGen & WOMENdontDOthat
Advisory Committee:
Alexis Easton, President, Public Affairs Association of Canada (PAAC); Chief Public Affairs Officer & Board Secretary, Royal Ontario Museum
Hunter Doubt, Senior Manager, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Cohere and President, Government Relations Institute of Canada (GRIC)
Denise Siele, Chair, Province of Ontario, Lincoln Alexander Awards, Senior Advisor, Artful Strategies.
Stephanie Delorme, Chief Operating Officer, Rubicon Strategy Inc.
Megan Buttle, President, Data, Digital and Design at Earnscliffe Strategies
David Coletto, Chief Executive Officer, Abacus Data
Hardave Birk, Rogers Communications - Director, Government Relations
Guy Freedman, Principal [Re]Confederation and Founder of the First Peoples Group
Thank You To Our Founding Partner:
Thank You To Our Event Partners: