Protecting Ontario's Future: Securing our Economy and Powering Growth
Time & Location
Oct 05, 2026, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto, ON
About the event
On October 5, the Economic Club of Canada hosted “Protecting Ontario’s Future: Securing our Economy and Powering Growth,” featuring a keynote address from The Honourable Stephen Crawford, Ontario’s Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, followed by a fireside chat with Dr. Ann Fitz-Gerald, Director, Balsillie School of International Affairs and Professor, Wilfrid Laurier University.
The conversation explored how Ontario can strengthen economic resilience amid trade uncertainty and technological change, including the role of strategic public procurement, domestic supply chains, digital sovereignty, scaling Canadian businesses, and responsible AI adoption. Speakers The Honourable Stephen Crawford, Ontario's Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement
Dr. Ann Fitz-Gerald, Director, Balsillie School of International Affairs and Professor,
Wilfrid Laurier University (Moderator) Michael Arbus, CFA, MBA, CEO, Moomoo Canada (Opening Remarks)
*The views expressed on the Economic Club of Canada platform are not that of the Economic Club or its affiliates but of the speakers alone and the organizations they represent.*
Explore the Conversation
Listen to the Audio
Key Takeaways
Growing Canadian companies: How public procurement can create demand, give businesses confidence to invest, expand capacity and create jobs, while strengthening Ontario’s domestic supply base.
Building digital sovereignty: The importance of cybersecurity, data infrastructure and investment in areas such as data centres as Ontario advances AI and digital transformation.
Strengthening Ontario’s economic position: How Ontario can build on its strengths in technology, energy, critical minerals, advanced manufacturing and financial services, diversify markets and products, and strengthen its position amid tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty.
To read further and explore the full insights from this event, download the complete Key Takeaways document below.