The tech industry contributes about eight percent to Canada’s GDP and this is set to grow over the next decade. Canada is making significant investments in fintech, AI, agtech, and more. Canadian tech companies like Shopify, Wattpad, WealthSimple, and Awake Labs are growing in markets around the world. What if the next decade of Canada’s global leadership meant more involvement of the tech sector?

In a globalized era where artificial intelligence, privacy, and trust are hot topics, our tech sector can play an integral role in setting a renewed global leadership agenda for Canada – from ethical AI to advancing the SDGs.

This panel takes a critical look at why engaging tech companies in Canada’s global agenda matters, and explores practical steps we can take to deepen the relationship between the worlds of global affairs and technology.

Moderator: Vinod Rajasekaran, Publisher & CEO, Future of Good

Panellists: 
● Iain Klugman, CEO of Communitech (one of the largest accelerators in Canada) and Founder of True North Waterloo (Canada’s largest tech for good conference)
● Danielle Graham, Principal, Dream Maker Ventures (a new type of tech venture capital firm investing in tech ideas from people of colour and at the margins)
● Simon Pomel, Senior Advisor, Tech Diplomacy Unit, Global Affairs Canada (tech diplomacy is a new unit which establishes a direct line between trade, aid and the tech community)
● Andrea Palmer, Founder & CEO, Awake Labs