Building Canada’s Tech Advantage – Turning Ambition into Delivery

As Canada invests in innovation and productivity, what will it take to build the workforce that delivers on those ambitions?

About the Conference

FutureWave 2026 brings together Canada’s technology leaders, employers, educators, and policymakers for a full day focused on action, not just strategy. Participants will share real-world examples, identify barriers to talent development, and help shape The Tech Advantage Playbook, a shared set of recommendations to take back to their organizations.

• Date: November 30, 2026
• Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Location: Northeastern University, Toronto

Key Discussions

• Building Canada’s Workforce Advantage: The talent Canada’s fastest-growing tech sectors will need over the next decade
• Hiring for Growth: How employers, especially SMEs, can build successful early-career hiring strategies
• From Campus to Competitive Advantage: How colleges and universities can accelerate innovation through employer partnerships
• Growth That Reaches Every Community: What a truly national technology workforce strategy looks like
• Trust, Talent & Opportunity: Lessons in Building Community-Centred Workforce Development Programs

Agenda

Morning

8:30 – 9:00 a.m. — Registration and continental breakfast
9:00 – 9:45 a.m. — Welcome and Keynote
9:45 – 10:45 a.m. — Building Canada’s Workforce Advantage
10:45 – 11:00 a.m. — Coffee break
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — Growth That Reaches Every Community
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. — Networking and boxed lunch

Afternoon

1:00 – 1:45 p.m. — Trust, Talent & Opportunity: Lessons in Building Community-Centred Workforce Development Programs
1:45 – 2:30 p.m. — From Campus to Competitive Advantage
2:30 – 2:45 p.m. — Coffee break
2:45 – 3:30 p.m. — Hiring for Growth
3:30 – 4:00 p.m. — Wrap-Up: The Tech Advantage Playbook

Find more details about the event on the FutureWave page. LEARN MORE.

Ready to join? Register HERE to secure your spot.

Mentor Meetup

During FutureWave, post-secondary students will be personally matched with professionals for three rounds of small-group mentoring based on their career goals and interests. Professionals in tech and related industries are invited to join as mentors and share their knowledge with the next generation of talent.

• Date: November 30, 2026
• Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
• Location: Northeastern University, Toronto
• Cost: Free

Find more details about the event on the Mentor Meetup page. LEARN MORE.

Ready to join? Register HERE to secure your spot.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact Tim Sidock for more information.