Crown Corporate Governance

The 22nd Annual Conference on Crown Corporate Governance is organized by the Canadian Institute (CI), part of C5 Group. For more than two decades, the conference has provided a dedicated forum for Crown corporation professionals to address governance, accountability, strategic oversight and the evolving expectations placed on public-sector organizations.

The 22nd Annual Conference on Crown Corporate Governance is dedicated exclusively to the governance challenges facing federal and provincial Crown corporations and agencies. The program brings together Crown leaders, Board members, government officials, legal and governance professionals to examine how organizations can strengthen accountability, Board-management relationships, financial sustainability, risk oversight and alignment with government priorities.

The 2027 program addresses responsible AI adoption, strategic risk governance, Board effectiveness, trade and supply chain pressures, Indigenous rights and partnerships, workplace culture, accountability and effective communication between Crown corporations and their government shareholder.

The 22nd Annual Conference on Crown Corporate Governance will take place January 27-28, 2027, at the Hilton Garden Inn Ottawa Downtown, 361 Queen Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1R 0C7. Attendees may participate in the main conference in person or by livestream.

Two optional pre-conference workshops will take place in person on January 26, 2027:

• The Private to Public Primer: Translating Private Industry Knowledge to Public Sector Success
• Enhancing Relationships with the Board and with Management: Working Group on Governance Support and Legal Advice for Crown Corporations

The conference is designed for leaders and professionals from federal and provincial Crown corporations and agencies, including Chairs, Directors, Chief Executive Officers, Presidents, Chief Financial Officers, Chief Operating Officers, General Counsel, Corporate Secretaries, In-House Counsel, Chief Risk Officers, Risk Managers and Compliance Officers.

It is also relevant for governance consultants and lawyers, public-sector accountants, HR professionals, risk leaders and public relations professionals who advise or support Crown organizations.

The conference represents the diverse sectors in which Canadian Crown corporations, government agencies and public-sector organizations operate. Participating organizations span infrastructure, financial services, energy and utilities, housing, transportation, arts and culture, economic development, public procurement, export finance, regulatory oversight and public administration.

The event also brings together governance, legal, consulting, accounting, risk and human resources professionals who work with Crown corporations and government entities.

The conference examines the legal, governance, strategic and operational issues that affect Crown corporations and their Boards. The 2027 program includes:

• Board-management alignment
• Strategic risk governance
• Responsible AI adoption and governance
• Director onboarding and Board evaluations
• Government-shareholder relations
• Financial sustainability
• Workplace culture
• Crisis preparedness
• Indigenous rights and partnerships
• The effects of national and international trade policy on Canadian organizations

The program also explores Crown-specific accountability frameworks, governance and legal responsibilities, leadership communication, statutory obligations and the practical challenges of meeting changing government expectations.

Attendees will gain practical strategies for strengthening governance and helping Crown corporations successfully deliver on their mandates. The program examines how to improve dialogue with the government shareholder, strengthen Board-management alignment on risk, build high-performing Boards, support financial sustainability, enhance organizational culture and create responsible approaches to AI governance.

Sessions also provide guidance for navigating evolving trade and supply chain pressures, improving leadership communication, integrating crisis planning into risk oversight, strengthening Director onboarding and evaluation, and building trusted relationships with Indigenous Peoples and partners.

The faculty includes Crown corporation Chairs, Directors, Presidents and CEOs, General Counsel, Corporate Secretaries, audit and governance executives, senior government officials, regulators, lawyers, consultants and governance specialists.

The 2027 program features perspectives from the Privy Council Office, federal and provincial government, Crown corporations, regulatory bodies, law firms and governance advisory organizations, providing both Board-level and management-level perspectives on public-sector governance.

The 2027 faculty brings together representatives from a broad range of Crown corporations, government bodies, regulators and governance organizations. Confirmed organizations include Canada Infrastructure Bank, Ontario Power Generation, Ingenium, Privy Council Office, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Competition Bureau Canada, Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada, Qulliq Energy Corporation, Pacific Pilotage Authority, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Farm Credit Canada, Ontario Clean Water Agency, Canada Development Investment Corporation, Export Development Canada, FinDev Canada, Crown Investments Corporation and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

The faculty also includes professionals from organizations such as Torkin Manes LLP, Torys LLP, Hansell LLP, CSA Public Policy Centre, C.D. Howe Institute, Mind Tech Group, Best in Governance, Malepo Consulting and The Coaching Studio, bringing legal, governance, policy and leadership perspectives to the program.

The conference provides dedicated opportunities to connect with federal and provincial Crown corporation professionals, Board members, government officials, legal advisers and governance specialists. Networking opportunities include networking luncheons on both conference days, scheduled breaks and a Conference Cocktail at the end of Day One, in addition to informal networking throughout the program.

The focused Crown governance audience creates opportunities for peer benchmarking, relationship-building and information sharing with professionals facing similar governance and accountability challenges.

Yes. Team discounts are available when colleagues from the same organization or firm register together in one transaction. Groups of 4-8 attendees receive a 10% conference discount, while groups of 9-12 receive a 15% conference discount.

Organizations planning to register more than 12 attendees can contact the Canadian Institute directly for group pricing.

The conference is covered by Canadian Institute’s Worry-Free Registration Guarantee. Registrants who register and pay can lock in their applicable rate and remain eligible for a full refund until January 15, 2027.

If a registrant is unable to attend, they may choose either a full credit note for themselves or a colleague to attend another event, or a full refund. All cancellations and changes must be submitted to Canadian Institute Customer Service by January 15, 2027.

The conference will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn Ottawa Downtown, 361 Queen Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1R 0C7. A limited number of guest rooms are available to conference delegates at a negotiated rate.

To access the conference rate, delegates should contact the hotel directly and quote “CI / Crown Corp Governance.” The guest room block cut-off date is January 5, 2027