Seen & Heard at Canada's CEO Summit 2024

Last week in the heart of Montréal’s vibrant vieux-port, the 2024 edition of Canada’s CEO Summit brought together over 150 of the country’s most influential business leaders and innovators. Hosted by the Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) and presented by Roynat Capital Scotiabank, the summit arrived at a pivotal moment as Canadian companies navigate economic uncertainty, technological disruption, and mounting pressures on productivity.

For two days, Canada's top CEOs and founders gathered—not just to share a meal or listen to a panel, but to strategize for the future. From private dining experiences at some of Montréal’s best restaurants to a day filled with CEO-led discussions, the summit was a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience driving the country's innovation sector.

"Spending time with Canadian founders and CEOs is a reminder of the relentless optimism and ambition driving the country’s economy. We're not just talking about progress; we're making it happen. When CEOs come together to share insights and plot strategies for growth, it’s not just good for their companies, it’s good for Canada. This is how we build a more innovative and prosperous future for all Canadians." — Benjamin Bergen, President of the Council of Canadian Innovators

The second day began with a keynote from CCI Chair Jim Balsillie, who provided a sweeping overview of the current state of Canada’s innovation economy in a global context, followed by a macroeconomic outlook from leaders at Scotiabank. During a panel moderated by Natalie Raffoul (Brion Raffoul LLP), Balsillie was joined by Carol Wilding (CPA Ontario) and John Medland (Scotiabank) to discuss how Canada must adapt its policies to stay competitive in an era where intellectual property, AI, and data drive global power.

"The accelerated pace of innovation and the digital transformation over the past 40 years has created a new kind of economy in which the basis of wealth, power, and security is derived from the ownership of valuable IP, and the control of AI and data. The consequences of this new era are profound, particularly because unlike human capital, machine knowledge capital scales enormously because it features near zero marginal cost to replicate." — Jim Balsillie, Chair of the Council of Canadian Innovators

Following this, Carl Hansen (AbCellera), Frank Baylis (Baylis Medical Technologies), and Lesley Gouldie (Thornhill Medical) took to the stage to discuss Steering Resilient Companies Through Economic Uncertainty. Moderated by David Rozin (Roynat Capital Scotiabank), the panel addressed how their companies are weathering inflation, supply chain disruptions, and shifting consumer demand.

"We’re coming out of a period of incredible volatility over the past few years, and today Canadian technology firms are navigating a complex economic environment. Driving the kind of productivity growth that comes from innovation is so important for our economy. Sharing knowledge and perspectives on how to navigate the current economic landscape is important for founders and investors alike." — David Rozin, Vice-President and Head of Technology & Innovation Banking for Roynat Capital Scotiabank

Another highlight of the summit was the panel Adopting AI and Leveraging Advanced Technologies to Scale for Growth, moderated by CCI’s Dana O’Born. Andrew McLeod (Certn), Hamid Arabzadeh (Ranovus), and Craig McLellan (ThinkOn) offered practical advice on how Canadian companies can use AI to remain competitive, emphasizing the importance of talent development and infrastructure investment.

In the afternoon, U.S. Ambassador David Cohen took part in a fireside chat with geopolitical expert Ann Fitz-Gerald, where the discussion centred on U.S.-Canada relations amidst global shifts. Topics like trade, defense cooperation, and technological integration were explored, giving attendees a comprehensive understanding of the geopolitical landscape.

The day concluded with an Investors-and-Innovators Dinner at the storied Le Salon Richmond, where Nik Nanos (Nanos Research) presented data on public perceptions of innovation and economic growth. In a lively discussion with John Ruffolo, CCI’s Co-Founder and Vice-Chair, the two leaders dissected the pressing issues facing Canada’s innovation economy.

"It’s been a tough year for Canadian CEOs. The government tried to solve their deficit problems with the capital gains tax hike — making it harder for innovative companies to grow. What they don’t realize is that innovation and economic growth are the only real way to create the wealth that pays for the public services we all value. It’s good to get everyone in a room and talk about how we’re navigating these challenging times." — John Ruffolo, Vice-Chair of the Council of Canadian Innovators

Throughout the two day retreat, attendees took advantage of the many networking opportunities the summit provided, from breakfast and lunch gatherings, CEO breakout group discussions, to the VIP introductions facilitated during the investors dinner. The 2024 edition of Canada's CEO Summit was all about these spontaneous moments—the side conversations, the chance meetings in the hallways, the shared insights over coffee—that make events like these irreplaceable. 

"I learn the most when I’m in a room with my peers, talking with people who understand the unique perspective of a founder. There’s nothing like gathering with my fellow builders, and making space for serious conversations about how to commercialize research and drive growth."
— Nicole Janssen, Co-CEO of AltaML

"There’s so much to discuss when leaders of Canada’s high-growth technology companies come together. Sharing ideas about business strategy is vital, but we’re also having so many important conversations about public policy and the ways that Canada as a whole can generate meaningful growth and prosperity. This network of leaders really care about making Canada a better place."
— Lori Weir, CEO of Four Eyes Financial

Each year, CCI hosts Canada's CEO Summit with the support of many partners, including:

• Roynat Capital Scotiabank,
• CPA Ontario,
• Brion Raffoul LLP,
• National Bank of Canada,
• RBCx,
• TD Innovation Partners,
• CDPQ,
• Deloitte Ventures, and
• Digital Nova Scotia.

We are grateful for their support and leadership within Canada’s innovation economy.

Learn more at www.CEOSummit.ca, and if you're interested in partnering with CCI to deliver the 2025 edition of Canada's CEO Summit, contact Sara Psenicka.