You deserve to hear from some of Canada’s most impressive representatives. Our speakers’ areas of expertise are different, but like municipal leaders from coast to coast to coast, they know the value of perseverance, resilience and serving their communities on the frontlines. Their ideas will surely guide us to continue on the path of building better communities for all Canadians.
Read their bios below, and get ready to celebrate our ability to move local action into national results.
Master of Ceremonies
Catherine Clark
We're pleased to welcome back the incredible, dynamic and fluently bilingual Catherine Clark as our AC emcee.
Catherine Clark is a nationally respected broadcaster, emcee and the President of Catherine Clark Communications, providing strategic communications advice to individuals, institutions and corporations.
Catherine is co-founder of The Honest Talk, a popular new podcast featuring frank discussions with notable women, writes the Giving Back column for Ottawa at Home Magazine profiling citizens working to make their community better for all, and serves on the boards of The Writers’ Trust of Canada, CARE Canada and CARE International in Kenya.
Political Keynotes
Melissa Lantsman
Melissa Lantsman is the Member of Parliament for Thornhill and Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. Born and raised in Thornhill, she was first elected in 2021, and previously held the role of Shadow Minister of Transport.
The first Jewish woman elected to the Conservative Party, she is proud to be a strong voice against antisemitism and hate, both in our communities here in Canada and abroad. Before being elected to office, the Deputy Leader was one of Canada’s most sought-after public affairs executives and a well-known political commenter. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto, an avid Blue Jays fan, and fluent in three languages.
Elizabeth May
Elizabeth May is the Leader of the Green Party of Canada and the party’s first elected Member of Parliament, representing Saanich-Gulf Islands in southern Vancouver Island. Elizabeth is an environmentalist, writer, activist and lawyer, who has a long record as a dedicated advocate — for social justice, for the environment, for human rights, and for pragmatic economic solutions.
Jagmeet Singh
Jagmeet Singh has been the leader of the New Democratic Party since 2017. A lawyer, human rights activist, and MP for Burnaby South since 2019, Jagmeet is active at the highest level of Canadian politics.
Originally elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 2011, Jagmeet is the first member of a visible minority to be elected to lead a major federal party. Jagmeet is driven to make sure government delivers for people with stronger services that help create a better future for everyone.