A year ago, Canadians elected Mark Carney as their 24th Prime Minister, entrusting him with an economy facing growing structural challenges and an uncertain global environment. At the same time, Canada’s business leaders felt ignored and were most concerned about the future direction of the country.
Since then, Carney has set out an ambitious agenda – Canada Strong – with the goal of making Canada the fastest growing economy in the G7 by investing in nation-building infrastructure and defence, accelerating resource development projects to be an energy superpower and global supplier of critical minerals, diversifying global trade partnerships, improving housing affordability, and attracting top talent.
While ambition is important, execution is vital. A year into the mandate, leaders from across the country and Canadians at large are asking: Is Canada heading in the right direction given geo-political tensions and economic instability?
At The Carney Agenda: One Year Later, Mahmood Nanji, Ivey Power Corporation of Canada Fellow, will convene a panel featuring Award-winning business journalist Amanda Lang and prominent business leader Giles Gherson to address this critical question. Together, they will assess the government’s economic agenda, progress to date, risks and challenges, and the Prime Minister’s leadership in navigating through these uncertain times.
Complimentary and open to the public, this virtual Impact Live event offers timely insights for leaders seeking clarity on Canada’s direction and what it means for the future of business and the nation.
About the speakers
Giles Gherson | Panelist
President and Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Region Board of Trade
Giles Gherson is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Region Board of Trade, among North America's largest and most influential business organizations. In this role, he leads initiatives to strengthen and sustain business growth and competitiveness across the Toronto region. Prior to joining the Board in 2022, Giles spent over 25 years in the private and public sector in progressively senior roles. He spent 15 years with the Province of Ontario, where he held multiple influential Deputy Minister roles – most extensively and recently as Deputy Minister, Economic Development. Earlier in his career, Giles worked as Editor-in-Chief of the Toronto Star, Political Editor of the National Post, and Editor of the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business.
Amanda Lang | Panelist
Chief Financial Correspondent, CTV News; Anchor, Taking Stock, CTV
Award-winning business journalist Amanda Lang has been covering business in North America for more than 25 years. She is Chief Financial Correspondent for CTV News, host of Taking Stock, a weekly national television program airing across Bell Media networks, and host of the Wonk podcast, produced by the Public Policy Forum. Beyond her journalism, Amanda is a Senior Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. She is also the past Chair of Covenant House Toronto – the largest agency in Canada serving homeless and at-risk youth – and currently serves on the board of the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada. A bestselling author, she has written The Power of Why (HarperCollins, 2012) and The Beauty of Discomfort (HarperCollins, 2017).
Mahmood Nanji | Moderator
Power Corporation of Canada Policy Fellow, Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Management, Ivey Business School
Mahmood Nanji is the Power Corporation of Canada Policy Fellow and former Director at the Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Management at the Ivey Business School. Prior to joining Ivey, Mahmood held senior roles in both the governments of Ontario and Canada. Most recently, he was the Associate Deputy Minister of Finance where he was involved in developing budgets and providing advice on tax, fiscal, pension, and infrastructure policy and initiatives. He has also negotiated major inter-governmental and commercial agreements, including the restructuring of General Motors and Chrysler in 2008-09. In 2021, Mahmood served as Research Director and Special Advisor to the Senate of Canada Prosperity Action Group and co-authored a report examining the path to Canada’s future economic prosperity.
