Date: March 19, 2026 | 6:30-9 PM (Registration opens at 6 PM)
Location: UBC Robson Square Theatre (Room C300)
Presented by UBC Connects at Robson Square
Join a panel of experts from the Allard School of Law, Vancouver School of Economics, Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship, and Political Science to explore the evolving Canada–U.S. economic relationship and what it means for Canada’s future.
As the 2026 joint review of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) approaches, Canada faces significant shifts in its most important trading relationship. From tariffs on steel to ongoing tensions in British Columbia’s forestry sector, long-standing trade dynamics are being tested and the era of predictable trade and stable multilateral rules may be coming to an end.
This discussion will move beyond the headlines to examine emerging geopolitical realities and their implications for Canada and for Canadians’ daily lives. Panelists will:
- Clarify the current moment: unpack the political and economic shifts shaping Canada–U.S. relations and the key issues surrounding the upcoming CUSMA review.
- Examine Canada’s role as a middle power: explore how Canada can maintain strategic independence in a rapidly changing global landscape.
- Highlight BC forestry as a case study: consider how international trade pressures are affecting local industries, workers, and communities.
This session is designed for policymakers, industry leaders, and members of the public interested in understanding the structural changes shaping Canada’s economic future.
Featured Speakers:
- Ljiljana Biuković (Allard Law)
- Harry Nelson (UBC Forestry & Environmental Stewardship)
- Stewart Prest (Political Science)
- Torsten Jaccard (Vancouver School of Economics)