2026 Annual General Meeting and Convention

Ontario’s prosperity depends on connectivity, whether it be physical, digital, or economic. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s (OCC) 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Convention, hosted by the Ottawa Board of Trade, explored how investing in and modernizing transportation corridors, transit networks, supply chains and infrastructure can strengthen competitiveness and drive growth across communities. When government and business collaborate to remove barriers and improve mobility, Ontario can be a province where goods, services and people move seamlessly within and across borders.

The OCC’s AGM and Convention is a premier opportunity for business and chamber leaders from across the province to connect, exchange ideas and influence the future of Ontario’s business landscape. This event brought together peers to network, engage in meaningful policy discussions, and help shape the OCC’s advocacy priorities for the year ahead.

The 2026 AGM took place on April 23-25, 2026, at the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa.

This year’s AGM was attended by 156 registrants, representing more than 60 chambers of commerce and boards of trade across Ontario.

His Worship Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of the City of Ottawa, kicks off the 2026 AGM and Convention.

Host chamber welcome from Sueling Ching, President and CEO, Ottawa Board of Trade.

Fireside chat (from left to right) with MP Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, Government of Canada and Vincent Caron, VP of Policy, OCC.

Economic update with Jimmy Jean, VP, Chief Economist and Strategist, Desjardins.

Connecting Ontario in the Digital Economy (from left to right): John Cameron, Director of Post Acquisition Integration, Telus; Charla Robinson, President, Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce; and Brent Arnold, Partner, INQ Law and Board Chair, The Canadian Internet Society.

From Patchwork to Province-Wide: Connecting Ontario Through Rideshare. Laura Miller, Head of Public Policy and Communications, Uber Canada.

Gateways to Prosperity: Connecting Ontario with the World (from left to right): Mishka Balsom, CEO, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce; RJ Steenstra, President and CEO, Toronto Port Authority; Melissa Cotton, Director of Government Affairs, CN Rail; and Joel Tkach, VP of Business Development and Marketing, Ottawa International Airport Authority.

Workforce Development in a Shifting Trade Landscape. Nancy Healy, Commissioner for Employers, Canada Employment Insurance Commission.

Fireside chat (from left to right): MP Tim Louis, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy, Government of Canada, and Julie Martini, VP of Public Affairs, OCC.

Connecting Chambers: Strategic Update (from left to right): Sueling Ching, President and CEO, Ottawa Board of Trade and Daniel Tisch, President and CEO, OCC.

Chair’s Dinner and Awards Presentation, presented by Hydro One.

Accredited chambers of commerce and boards of trade in attendance at the 2026 AGM and Convention.

Jill Raycroft (center), CEO, Belleville Chamber of Commerce, received the James Gordon Carnegie Memorial Award. The award was presented by Brenda Whitehead (left), CEO, Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce.

From left to right: Allan Lafontaine (second from left), Executive Director, Orillia & District Chamber of Commerce; and, Greg Dunnett (third from left), Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, received the Burnie Gillespie Memorial Award. The award was presented by Julie Martini (far left), VP of Public Affairs, OCC.

The Burlington Chamber of Commerce received the Outstanding Advocacy Campaign Award. The award was presented by Dominic Stewart (far left), Manager of Community Relations, Hydro One, to Terry Caddo (center), President and CEO, Burlington Chamber of Commerce.

The Timmins Chamber of Commerce received the Chair’s Award for Innovative Program. The award was presented by Marilyn Horrick (left), the OCC’s Chair of the Board.

Scott McCammon (second from right) received the Distinguished Service Award. The award was presented by Louie Di Palma (far left), VP of SME Programs, OCC.

World Chambers Congress 2027 Update. Louie Di Palma, VP of SME Programs, OCC.

Update from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (from left to right): Candace Laing, President and CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce; and Daniel Tisch, President and CEO, OCC.

The Ontario Chamber Network gathered on the final day of the AGM and Convention for the annual Policy Resolutions Debate. The debate was moderated by members of the OCC’s Policy Team (from left to right): Daniel Tisch (standing), President and CEO, OCC; Vincent Caron, VP of Policy, OCC; Bob Delaney, former MPP, Government of Ontario; Sharan Khela, Policy Analyst, OCC; and Ali Nasser Virji, Director of Policy, OCC.

Andy Veilleux, President and CEO, Guelph Chamber of Commerce announcing the next OCC AGM and Convention in Guelph, Ontario.

Thank you for joining us for the 2026 AGM and Convention. We look forward to seeing you next year in 2027!