Ports Canada 2026 réunit les leaders canadiens des ports et du transport maritime à Caesars Windsor dans le cadre d’un programme ciblé sur les enjeux qui façonneront l’avenir du secteur : diversification des échanges, résilience des chaînes d’approvisionnement, collaboration transfrontalière, gérance environnementale, opérations portuaires, sûreté et innovation. Présenté à Windsor, au cœur de l’un des plus importants corridors commerciaux du Canada, le programme propose des discussions plénières de grande valeur, des séances simultanées pratiques, des activités de réseautage ciblées et une programmation expérientielle qui permettra aux délégués de mieux connaître l’économie portuaire, frontalière et maritime de la région.
Les délégués profiteront de perspectives actuelles présentées par des leaders canadiens et internationaux sur les dynamiques du commerce mondial, le réseau Grands Lacs–Voie maritime du Saint-Laurent, la sécurité transfrontalière, les opérations maritimes durables, la remise en état des sites portuaires, l’intelligence artificielle, le transport maritime nordique et l’évolution du rôle des ports dans l’avenir économique du Canada. La conférence vise à aider les participants à échanger des idées, à établir des relations stratégiques, à explorer des solutions concrètes et à retourner dans leur organisation avec une meilleure compréhension des possibilités et des défis auxquels font face les ports et les chaînes d’approvisionnement du Canada.
Pick up your badge early and get ready to enjoy the Ports Canada 2026 Conference
Join us to kick off the Ports Canada 2026 Conference. Enjoy breathtaking views of Windsor from the 27th floor at Augustus 27.
Join fellow delegates for an early morning walk to start the day!
Meet in Caesar’s Auto Lobby
Daniel-Robert Gooch, President and CEO, Association of Canadian Port Authorities
First Nations Blessing
Welcome Remarks:
Steve Salmons, President and CEO, Windsor Port Authority (Confirmed)
Ian Marr, President and CEO, Nanaimo Port Authority and Chair, Association of Canadian Port Authorities
Mayor’s Welcome
More details to follow.
Given its location straddling the Canada-U.S. border in the middle of the Detroit River, the Port of Windsor works closely with law enforcement and border officials on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border. This panel will showcase how cooperative efforts are keeping this dynamic shared border safe and secure.
Group A (Tech and Operations)
Environmental Response Partners
Canada’s marine transportation system relies on effective marine response. Hear the latest on what Eastern Canada Response Corporation and Ship and Rail Compensation Canada are doing to protect the environment and maintaining continuous marine operations.
Group B (Environment and Sustainability)
Port Remediation and Land Use
A major challenge for port authorities is remediation of water and land within port jurisdiction. Hear from two CPAs on how they approached this issue.
Group A (Tech and Operations)
Growing Port infrastructure and to Compete
This session will offer examples of port projects that aim to expand operational capacity and competitiveness.
Group B (Environment and Sustainability)
Marine Sustainability on the Frontier
This session focuses on marine sustainability for communities and the environment, with presentations that detail how this can be achieved.
Join us on the exhibit hall floor for happy hour, meet our exhibiros and explore their industry specific solutions.
Those who have signed up will also be able to take a port tour by water starting at 4:45pm - SIGN UP REQUIRED
Join fellow delegates for an early morning walk to start the day!
Meet in Caesar’s Auto Lobby
More than a year after the Carney government set ambitious global goals for diversifying Canada’s trade amidst a recalibrated trading relationship with the United States, this session takes stock of where things stand. How are Canada’s diversification efforts progressing? What shifts are defining the Canada–U.S. dynamic, and how are Canadian industries adapting to evolving global trade and supply chain conditions? Hear from a panel of experts who will discuss these questions.
This panel will examine how to strengthen the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway as Canada’s third trade corridor, while advancing short sea shipping as a complementary logistics option. It will explore how better integration of marine, rail, and truck networks can improve reliability, efficiency, and environmental performance, as well as opportunities to modernize lock and port operations, extend the navigation season, and enhance icebreaking capacity. Panelists will also address regulatory, infrastructure, and market barriers to expanded short sea shipping, drawing on U.S. initiatives and Canadian pilot projects to illustrate how targeted investments, coordinated policies, and public-private collaboration can unlock the Seaway’s potential for sustainable growth, trade diversification, and climate resilience.
Get ready for Survey Says!, an industry game show where two teams of marine sector leaders will compete head-to-head in an exciting, interactive game show format. Prior to the event, attendees of past maritime conferences will be surveyed on the top challenges, issues, and trends shaping the industry today. Each team will test their knowledge to see who can identify the most popular answers. This engaging session offers a unique opportunity for marine leaders to share insights, spark lively discussion, and explore the future of Canada’s marine sector.
Group A (Tech and Operations)
Applying Artificial Intelligence in Port Operations
As AI becomes a more commonplace tool for ports to innovate the safety, competitiveness and sustainability of their operations, hear examples of how this was done from the port and provider perspective.
Group B (Environment and Sustainability)
Marine and Canada’s North
A focused look at Canada’s progress in northern shipping and transportation infrastructure. The session will examine upgrades to transport links, ongoing port modernization including developments at the Port of Churchill, and the growth of year-round Arctic shipping. It will also explore national partnerships, the role of Indigenous partnerships in northern infrastructure and business development, the challenges of building and maintaining infrastructure in the North, and the potential for dual-purpose civil and military uses that support both local communities and national security.
Join us for one last hurrah!