Event Date: October 27, 2026 - 12:00pm to 1:30pm
Location: FSS 4004, 120 University Private, University of Ottawa

Presented by the New North America Initiative from the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, CIPS and the CN-Paul M. Tellier Chair on Business and Public Policy

Beyond tariff threats, negotiations for an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, and U.S. midterm elections, Canadians now recognize that these immediate issues are part of long-term, generational change in the U.S. 

The challenge for policymakers is how Canada balances responding to immediate challenges with preparing to confront ongoing, shifting challenges that will span years, not news cycles. 

This briefing brings insights and options to build new, long-term responses based on research grounded in a new framework for analyzing the Canada-U.S. relationship.

A light lunch will be served.

The New Approach

The New North America Initiative (NNAI) takes a grassroots, outside-the-Beltway approach, rather than talking to the usual suspects in the usual places, to gather intelligence and insights on the changing U.S.

• This approach builds upon research by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace to remake U.S. foreign policy in response to changes in the U.S. that are now straining Canada-U.S. relations.
• The shared premise is that working solely with the actors, institutions and ideas that engendered distrust toward current policies and approaches will not produce solutions to the new challenges Canada faces.
• Instead of asking what Americans think of issues important to Canada, we ask what matters most to them, then trace those issues back to Canadian concerns to find linkages.
• The NNAI uses an iterative, multi-part, state-level information-gathering and analysis process:  ideation to develop polling questions, followed by structured interviews on the results to develop focus group questions, and finally gaming exercises to test how and in what direction new information and messages from this process move public opinion. 

The New Data and Insights

Preliminary findings have been extremely promising. Notably, our traditional ‘trade-focused’ messaging about the importance of the relationship is not the most effective tool for reaching beyond those with whom we already speak. This briefing will cover the major insights gleaned so far.

The Takeaway

The iterative methodology being tested by the NNAI is a step beyond traditional polling. It can be accessed through the NNAI or used by government, trade associations and elected officials working on the Canada-U.S. relationship to develop tools, messaging and strategy.

Speakers:

Carlo Dade, Director, New North America Initiative, School of Public Policy, Univ. of Calgary

Prior to joining the School of Public Policy, Carlo served as Director of the Centre on Trade and Investment Policy at the Canada West Foundation. Areas of work include North American trade, infrastructure and competitiveness.

Andrew Enns, Executive Vice President, Central Canada, Leger

Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the Canadian market research industry, providing strategic advice for a wide range of public and private sector clients. He actively participates in Leger’s national public affairs practice and is a media spokesperson.

Alex Giordano, Program Manager, New North America Initiative, School of Public Policy, Univ. of Calgary

Alex Giordano designs and executes policy programming focused on North American trade architecture, economic security, and geopolitical risk.

Diya Jiang, Research Manager, New North America Initiative, School of Public Policy, Univ. of Calgary

Diya Jiang is Research Manager at the New North America Initiative at the University of Calgary School of Public Policy, leading public opinion research across Canada and the United States.

Farhaan Ladhani, CEO and Co-Founder, Goodbit

Farhaan Ladhani is the CEO and co-founder of Goodbit, a pioneering platform that leverages digital engagement to connect, educate, and mobilize diverse communities worldwide. He co-founded Goodbit alongside Janice Stein and Sean Willett, building on their earlier work together as co-founders of Digital Public Square. With over 20 years of experience, Farhaan is a leader in digital strategy.

Moderator:

Patrick Leblond is an Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and the CN–Paul M. Tellier Chair on Business and Public Policy. His research focuses on international political economy, trade policy, and economic governance. He has published widely on Canada’s role in the global economy and is regularly consulted by governments, international organizations, and the media on issues of trade and finance.