TORONTO | DECEMBER 4, 2026 | MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS | CLOSED-DOOR

 

The Canada China Forum’s Emerging Leaders Dialogue returns for its second year, convening 30+ of Canada’s most promising emerging leaders in Toronto for a day of dialogue on Canada–China relations, the Indo-Pacific, and Canada’s evolving role on the global stage. Building on the inaugural Dialogue, the 2026 edition moves to Toronto: the city where the Canada-China relationship comes to life most tangibly, through its trade, business ties, and vibrant communities.

Since the 2025 Dialogue, Ottawa and Beijing have announced a Canada–China Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap and restored minister-level trade channels, while debate over Chinese EVs, steel and investment has sharpened, nowhere more than in Ontario. Canada still needs a common, practical understanding of China competency: how to navigate strategic risks and pursue new opportunities with confidence.

 

Ontario carries more of Canada’s relationship with China than any other province: 43% of all bilateral trade, Canada’s largest Chinese diaspora community, the country’s leading research and education institutions, and the epicenter of Canadian trade and investment. It is also where the relationship’s tensions are felt most sharply, which makes Toronto the right room for a candid national conversation as Canada prioritizes diversifying its trading relations beyond the United States. 

APPLY TO JOIN THE NATIONAL DELEGATION by November 23, 2026

 

About the Dialogue

Hosted at Toronto City Hall, the Dialogue will convene a delegation from industry, government, academia, civil society and the practitioner community to exchange perspectives on the issues defining the Canada–China relationship. Through high-level briefings, candid small-group dialogues and networking sessions, participants will engage directly with senior officials, leading China scholars, diplomats and thought-leaders from Toronto and across Canada. The Dialogue aims to cultivate the next generation of Canadian leaders who are both China-competent and globally minded. The 2026 Dialogue builds on the report from the inaugural Dialogue. 

 

Through a collaborative and forward-looking program, the Dialogue aims to:

  • Catalyze transformative leadership: We identify and equip the next gen of Canadian leaders with the knowledge, relationships, and confidence to navigate complexity, manage strategic risks, and seize opportunities in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
  • Build a national network: We bring together diverse emerging voices from across Canada, spanning government, industry, academia, and civil society, to foster lasting relationships and cultivate a community anchored in shared purpose and trust to advance Canada’s national interest. 
  • Contribute to policy development: We create a platform for meaningful exchange with leading experts and decision-makers, and ensure participants’ insights inform real discussions on Canada–China relations and Canada’s role in the Indo-Pacific.

 

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Dialogue, applicants must be:

  • A Canadian citizen, permanent resident or student based in Canada;
  • Early- to mid-career professionals (typically 22–35) working in or passionate about Canada–China relations and the Indo-Pacific, in government, civil society, the private sector, or academia;
  • Motivated to contribute to national policy conversations and engage in thoughtful, constructive dialogue;
  • Committed to participating fully in the Dialogue on December 4, 2026 and contributing to the resulting report and network activities.

 

Application Deadline

November 23, 2026 (16h Eastern Time)

Applications are open now and must be submitted by November 23, 2026. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application by November 30, 2026. Should you have any questions, or require further information, please contact Darren.Touch@CanadaChinaForum.ca, Demetria Hu or Rasdeep Singh. 

 

APPLY TO JOIN THE NATIONAL DELEGATION by November 23, 2026 

 

Chatham House Rule: The Emerging Leaders Dialogue will be held under the Chatham House Rule to encourage open, candid, and constructive discussion during the discussion period. Participants are free to use the information shared throughout the Dialogue, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of speakers or other participants may be revealed. This approach ensures the trust and frank exchange needed for meaningful policy insight and collaboration.

Thank you to our partners 

The 2026 Emerging Leaders Dialogue is made possible through the generous support of our partners. We are grateful to the City of Toronto for hosting the Dialogue, and to each organization below for sharing our commitment to building a China-competent, globally minded generation of Canadian leaders.

 

Partnership Organization
Host venue City of Toronto (www.toronto.ca)
Community partner   Canada China Business Council (ccbc.com)
Academic partner University of Toronto, Asian Institute (munkschool.utoronto.ca/ai) 

 

Interested in partnering with the Emerging Leaders Dialogue? Contact Darren.Touch@CanadaChinaForum.ca or Daniel Lincoln