The Empire Club of Canada
Hybrid
Friday, April 24, 2026
At this pivotal time for our country, The Empire Club of Canada is pleased to welcome The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, for “One Year of Nation Building: Looking Back, Moving Forward” a keynote address and fireside chat on April 24, 2026.
One year after the election of Mark Carney’s government – and Minister Hodgson’s first time taking office – “One Year of Nation Building: Looking Back, Moving Forward” will be a timely conversation about a pivotal year for Canada’s economic and strategic future, and what comes next. Minister Hodgson will examine the federal government’s efforts to get Canada building again through major, nation-building infrastructure projects and the Major Projects Office, navigate a rapidly changing relationship with the United States amid trade uncertainty and a shifting global order, and advance a new approach to economics, national security, and defence, grounded in energy and critical minerals.
The moderated discussion, featuring The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Vice-Chair, Office of the CEO, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) will also touch on landmark moments, including the Canada–Alberta Memorandum of Understanding, and consider what Canadians and business can expect as next steps. With a year of foundations laid, Minister Hodgson will share his perspective on where Canada is headed, and how the country can seize this moment to build with confidence, resilience, and purpose.
The full scope of Minister Hodgson’s responsibilities — appointed by Prime Minister Carney to also oversee “nation-building” projects focused on energy, critical minerals, and infrastructure through the new Major Projects Office — far exceed what his Ministerial portfolio-title implies. The significance of this keynote by Minister Hodgson and the impact that his decisions will have on the infrastructure of our country, cannot be understated.
The Honourable Tim Hodgson brings a wealth of experience in finance, public service, and leadership to his role as Member of Parliament for Markham–Thornhill and as Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
Born in Winnipeg and raised in a Canadian Armed Forces family, Minister Hodgson grew up moving from coast to coast, gaining a deep appreciation for the country’s diversity and the values that connect Canadians.
Minister Hodgson’s early years were shaped by a strong sense of service. He served as a reserve officer in the Canadian Armed Forces while earning his Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Manitoba. That experience inspired a lifelong commitment to supporting military families, including through his involvement with the True Patriot Love Foundation.
After completing his MBA at Western University’s Ivey Business School, Minister Hodgson went on to a successful global career in finance. He spent two decades with Goldman Sachs in senior leadership roles across New York, London, Silicon Valley, and Toronto, eventually serving as CEO of Goldman Sachs Canada. He later served as a special adviser at the Bank of Canada, working alongside then-Governor Mark Carney to help navigate global economic uncertainty. He also has experience working in the private sector in both clean and conventional energy, across several provinces.
The Honourable Lisa Raitt joined CIBC Capital Markets as a Vice Chair in January 2020, having previously worked in both the public and private sectors. Ms. Raitt’s current focus is on senior client coverage and business development with clients in the energy, infrastructure and industrial sectors, which align closely with her deep expertise.
Prior to her current role, Ms. Raitt was the President and CEO of the Toronto Port Authority. She was elected into the House of Commons in 2008, where she went on to hold three senior portfolios serving as Minister of Natural Resources, Minister of Labour, and Minister of Transport. Most recently, Ms. Raitt was the Deputy Leader of the Official Opposition and the Conservative Party of Canada.
Ms. Raitt holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Francis Xavier University and a Master of Science (Chemistry) from the University of Guelph. She possesses an LL.B from Osgoode Hall Law School, was called to the Ontario bar in 1998 and was a Harold G. Fox Scholar at the Inns of Court in London, England.
Currently, Ms. Raitt is a Director on the Boards of LFL Group, Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO), Baycrest Health Sciences and the Global Risk Institute. She also is the Chair of the Board of Governors of St. Francis Xavier University, Vice Chair of CARE Canada, and Co-Chair of Coalition for a Better Future.
In June 2024, Lisa was presented with an Honorary Doctorate in Business from the University of Ottawa.
