Couchiching Annual Conference

Mobilizing Canada

Power, Partnerships & PURPOSE IN the New Global Order

April 10, 2026
University of Victoria, Michèle Pujol Room
Victoria, British Columbia

Canada’s influence has never depended on size alone. It has depended on alignment and the ability to bring together its civic institutions, economic strengths, democratic foundations, and international credibility in pursuit of shared global goals. When those forces move in concert, Canada can collaborate effectively with other middle powers, reinforce democratic norms, advance climate and technology standards, diversify trade, and shape collective responses to geopolitical volatility.

At this moment defined by instability and shifting alliances, the question is no longer whether Canada should engage, but how it can better align its national assets to generate the coordinated momentum required to lead in a coalition-driven world.

Agenda

Click on the Panel to see Bios of Speakers
Friday April 10, 2026

08:30 am – Registration desk opens & Networking Breakfast

09:00 am – Welcome Remarks

09:05 am – Welcome by Elder Terri Barnhard

09:15 am – Keynote speaker: Jody Thomas, former national security and intelligence advisor to PM Trudeau and former Deputy Minister of National Defence.

10:00 am – Coffee break

10:30 am – Panel 1: Canada’s Influence Capital: Mobilizing Canada for Leadership Abroad

12:15 am – Lunch

1:00 pm – Panel 2: Middle-Power Coalitions in a Fragmenting World

2:45 pm – Coffee break

3:15 pm – Keynote speaker: Former Ambassador Marc Lortie. Marc Lortie has been a diplomat, ambassador, Prime ministerial spokesman, and trusted advisor to various prime ministers on federal-provincial issues, Latin American and European affairs.

4:00 pm – Closing Remarks

4:30 pm – Post Conference Reception

* Please note that the agenda and speakers are subject to change and will be confirmed closer to the event date.

PANEL INFORMATION

Please click on the panel below to see full bios for each of the speakers.

PANEL 1
Canada’s Influence Capital: Mobilizing Canada for Leadership Abroad

Canada’s ability to act as a middle power depends not only on diplomacy and military capability, but on the strength of its democratic foundations—trusted institutions, economic resilience, social cohesion, and an engaged citizenry. This panel, under the guidance of CIC’s Executive Director Melanie Walker asks: How can Canada better mobilize its domestic strengths to sustain international power and influence, and what shared responsibilities do governments, business, academia, and civil society have in building that influence capital?

MODERATOR
Melanie Walker
Executive Director
Canadian International Council

SPEAKERS
Jonathan Manthorpe
Journalist and best-selling author
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Shelly D’Mello
CEO of the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria
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Dr. Cynthia Milton
Director of the UVic CFGS
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MGen (ret’d) Mike St. Louis
Former Canadian defence attaché to the United States
—
Lauren Dobell
Executive Advisor Boann Social Impact

PANEL 2
Middle-Power Coalitions in a

Fragmenting World

As global power becomes more diffuse, countries that are neither superpowers nor small states are increasingly shaping outcomes through coalition-building. Middle powers such as Canada, Germany, Poland, Mexico, Taiwan, and others possess significant economic capacity, technological expertise, and diplomatic reach – but must collaborate to influence a system dominated by larger actors. Strategic trade partnerships, supply-chain integration, and shared standards can enhance resilience and reduce vulnerability to economic coercion. At the same time, soft power, cultural diplomacy, and people-to-people ties help sustain trust and legitimacy across democratic societies. This panel, under the guidance of Dr. Chris Kilford, Fellow with the Queen’s Centre of International and Defence Policy, examines how middle powers can work together to advance shared interests while preserving autonomy. What forms of cooperation are most effective – formal alliances, regional agreements, or issue-based coalitions? Where can Canada lead, and where must it partner and on what specific issues? And what risks accompany alignment, including economic retaliation, dependency, or loss of strategic flexibility?

MODERATOR
Chris Kilford
President, CIC Victoria Branch

SPEAKERS
Dr. Pedro Marquez
Professor, Royal Roads University
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Angel Liu
Director General Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver
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Aleksandra Kucy
Consul General of Poland in Vancouver
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Dr. Bernd Althusmann
Head of the Canada Office, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (Germany)