DAY 1 – Wednesday, April 9
Registration Open
2:00 PM – 8:00 PM Lobby Level
Pick up your name badge, swag bag, and drink tickets for the Opening Night Reception.
Workshop – Green Industrial Policy for Canada to Fight Today’s Climate Emergency and Trade War
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
We need to bet big on an independent economic path for Canada, based on a clean environment and protecting and creating thousands of well-paid union jobs. Alliances between worker and environmental movements can push us to seize that opportunity. A pro-worker, public-led green industrial strategy protects jobs without backsliding on emissions. This workshop is sponsored jointly by the Green Economy Network and Blue Green Canada.
Workshop Description
Ending the carbon price system in Canada with nothing to replace it risks backsliding on climate commitments.The failure by successive governments to plan for a diversified decarbonized economy, has also left millions of jobs hanging in the balance as US tariff threats engulf our political agenda and threaten our economic security. Ravaged by climate disasters and economic precarity, Canada faces multiple crises that our current policy tools and economic institutions are ill-equipped to handle.
Canada needs a rethink of its economy that has been too dependent on market mechanisms when it has come to emissions reductions and wound up in international trade agreements that favour business interests over the wellbeing of workers. Does an economic reorientation through a new green industrial policy for Canada hold the answer to this trade war and climate emergency? Can a green industrial policy for Canada help secure our economy, create jobs, and reduce emissions?
Invitation Only. Please stay tuned for open registration.
Opening Night Reception & Panel
“Fighting for Our Future: Building Movements that Win in Uncertain Times”
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM Penthouse Level
Brought to you by Action Network and the Canadian Labour Congress, this panel brings together movement builders from Canada and across the border who have led fighting campaigns in the face of immense challenges.
In a time when workers, families, and communities are fighting for their lives, these activists will share hard-earned lessons, key insights, and the bold strategies needed to win. From digital breakthroughs to grassroots mobilization, this conversation will explore the challenges we face — and the opportunities we must seize to build a fairer future.
Join us for an inspiring and practical discussion on what it takes to build powerful, people-driven movements that rise to this moment — and win.
DAY 2 – Thursday, April 10
Breakfast
7:30 AM – 9:00 AM Mezzanine Level
Thank you to our Breakfast Sponsor:
International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE)
Registration Open
8:00 AM – 9:00 PM Lobby Level
Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:00 AM – 9:20 AM Ballroom, Lobby Level
Dispatches from the Frontlines
9:25 AM – 10:00 AM Ballroom, Lobby Level
Activists, newsmakers, and organizers share stories of what the view looks like from the front line of their movements. Speakers will share their compelling stories as a response to the conference theme, Daring to Take on Today’s Crises.
Coffee Break
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM Lobby Level
Thank you to our Coffee Break Sponsors:
Confederation of Canadian Unions (CCU), Toronto Civic Employees Union (TCEU) Local 416, Ontario Building Trades, Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU), and the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).
Keynote Programming
10:15 AM – 12:00 PM Ballroom, Lobby Level
Lunch
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM Lobby Level
Thank you to our Lunch Sponsors: United Association (UA) Local 46
Early Afternoon Programming Resumes
1:30 PM – 3:45 PM
Coffee Break
3:45 PM – 4:00 PM Lobby Level
Thank you to our Coffee Break Sponsors:
Confederation of Canadian Unions (CCU), Toronto Civic Employees Union (TCEU) Local 416, Ontario Building Trades, Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU), and the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).
Late Afternoon Programming Continues
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Day 2 Programming Ends
6:00 PM
Offsite Reception
7:00 PM – 10:00 AM
DAY 3 – Friday, April 11
Breakfast
7:30 AM – 9:30 AM Mezzanine Level
Thank you to our Breakfast Sponsor:
International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE)
Registration Open
8:00 AM – 12:30 PM Lobby Level
Opening and Welcome Back
9:30 AM – 9:45 AM Ballroom, Lobby Level
Presentation of Awards
9:45 AM – 10:00 AM Ballroom, Lobby Level
Presentation of the 2024 Jack Layton Progress Prize
Presented by Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.
Presentation of the 2024 Charles Taylor Prize for Excellence in Policy Research
Presented by the Broadbent Institute Board of Directors.
Announcement of the recipient of the 2024 Ellen Meiksins Wood Prize
The Ellen Meiksins Wood Lecture that accompanies the prize will take place on May 20th at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Morning Programming Resumes
10:05 AM – 11:00 AM
Coffee Break
11:15AM – 11:30 AM Lobby Level
Morning Programming Resumes
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Ballroom, Lobby Level
Closing Remarks
12:30 PM Ballroom, Lobby Level