Timothy Caulfield

Professor of Health Law and Science Policy | Bestselling Author

The grim reality: In 2026 the spread of lies, spin, and twisted science is only going to get worse, especially as AI-generated content becomes more sophisticated and ubiquitous.

But simply knowing this reality can help inoculate us against its influence. It is also important to recognize that the spread and embrace of misleading and manipulative content is often fuelled — via the algorithms that shape our information environment — by rage, fear, and political identity. If it feels like a post or headline is playing to your fears, grievances, or ideology, that should be a signal to pause and engage your critical thinking skills.

Professor Timothy Caulfield was the Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy for over 20 years. He is currently a professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health and the Research Director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta, debunking myths and assumptions about innovation in the health sector.

Janice Gross Stein

Founding Director of the Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto

The overwhelming focus of attention in 2026 will be the midterm elections in the United States. Will the elections be held in November? Will the Democrats capture control of the House? And, if they do, will the Trump administration accept the results of the election?

Answers to these questions will tell us whether the slide of the United States into “competitive authoritarianism” is slowing and possibly reversing, or if the United States is moving more deeply into authoritarianism. Nowhere do the answers to these questions matter more than in Canada.

We should also watch Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine closely and the escalation of tension with its near neighbours, as well as the economies of Europe as leaders grapple with stagnation exacerbated by deep political divisions. Are we watching the beginning of the end of Europe’s impact on the world?

Finally, as always, watch the economy of China as its exports explode and growth stalls at home.

The Belzberg Professor of Conflict Management in the Department of Political Science and the Founding Director of the Munk School for Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto, Professor Janice Gross Stein’s dynamic presentations provide a unique perspective into what’s really happening around the world and what it means to her audiences. 

Nik Nanos

Founder and Chief Data Scientist, Nanos Research | Expert in Political, Business, and Social Trends

2026 promises major political drama in Canada and the US. I believe both nations will face pivotal elections. One will be a planned US midterm election and one will be a surprise Canadian federal election.

Nanos Research’s weekly tracking has Liberals and Conservatives neck and neck. Liberal strength is driven by Mark Carney, while Conservative support rides a wave of anti-Liberal change. Recent defections to the Liberals bolster Carney, but the parliamentary balance remains fragile. Prime Ministers crave stability to pass legislation without constant vote-wrangling. Right now, it looks like any free trade agreement will be worse than what we have. Defending a worse free trade agreement helps Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, while fighting an election for a trade negotiation mandate likely helps the Liberals.

Meanwhile, expect US President Trump to punt a Canada trade deal until after midterms, using uncertainty to project strength and defend American jobs. Trump and Carney have a mutual political interest to negotiate after elections.

The founder and chief data scientist at Nanos Research, one of North America’s premier research and strategy organizations, Nik Nanos is the go-to source for leaders, government agencies, and organizations looking to understand the trends and forces shaping our world. He delivers custom keynote experiences that are compelling, interactive, and thought-provoking.

Amanda Lang

Acclaimed Business Journalist | Host, Taking Stock and Wonk

If we thought 2025 was a year of upheaval, 2026 might just out-do it. Not only will we still have some unresolved trade issues with the US — with an aim to try to get clarity by July — but there are big changes coming in how AI is deployed across our economy. Some of those changes will be good, and empowering. Others will create job losses and stress for individuals, even as they offer higher profit to corporations.

In Canada, we have reason for some optimism around affordability — inflation broadly but more specifically that housing prices will continue to moderate as we see more building backed by government efforts. This is the year we prove we can diversify our economy and dig deep. There will be some uncertainty, but also plenty of reason for optimism. We aren’t perfect but our social systems — like universal health care, a welfare support structure, and publicly funded education — all create solid support. It’s better than ever to be Canadian!

As one of Canada’s leading business journalists with over two decades of experience and the bestselling author of The Power of Why and The Beauty of Discomfort, Amanda Lang draws on her original research and insight from some of the top minds in business to reveal the mindset needed to successfully navigate today’s complex business landscape.

The Hon. Bob Rae

Canada’s 25th Ambassador to the United Nations

There are no guarantees about anything these days, but some challenges will continue.

Let’s start at home — the Canadian economy remains vulnerable to the trade dispute with the US and broader disruptive trends with the development of AI. Canada will need to engage globally with many new countries to produce new opportunities. This will take time to yield jobs but must be pursued.

Also, keep your eye on reactions from Indigenous communities to major projects being planned. There will need to be greater dialogue and willingness to allow Indigenous peoples to share fully in the benefits from these developments. This will not be easy.

Lastly, a provincial election will be held in Quebec in October. Right now, the PQ is in the lead with the prospect of a third referendum on independence on the horizon.

Looking south, our American neighbours will be holding midterm elections in November, where all House seats and a third of the Senate are up for grabs. If support for the President drops, it will affect everything from possible impeachment to trade talks and Ukraine and Venezuela.

More broadly we can expect more challenges globally. Climate change won’t stop just because many world leaders and their supporters are in dramatic denial. Some political and military disputes, such as Gaza, might diminish in their impact, but at this point many powers are unlikely to reinforce the work of the UN, preferring to engage directly outside the frame of international law and institutions. This will pose challenges for all of us.

As Canada’s former Ambassador to the United Nations, Premier of Ontario, and interim Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, the Honourable Bob Rae offers audiences rare insight into navigating complex global challenges, building consensus across divides, and leading through transformation.