Insights Speaker Series
Hear from decision-makers, influencers, policy experts and business leaders who are shaping the future of Canada and the world.
Upcoming Events
Speakers:
The Honourable Bob Rae
Canada’s 25th Ambassador to the United Nations
The Honourable Bob Rae brings over five decades of leadership at the highest levels of international diplomacy, national politics and public policy. As Canada's former Ambassador to the United Nations, Premier of Ontario and interim Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, he offers audiences rare insight into navigating complex global challenges, building consensus across divides and leading through transformation. He draws on firsthand experience with humanitarian crises, negotiations with world leaders and critical issues — delivered with the wisdom of a statesman and the accessibility of a natural storyteller.
Barry Appleton
Prof. Barry Appleton is a US and Canadian lawyer. He is a frequent commentator on strategy at the intersection of innovation and trade. Prof. Appleton is the Managing Partner at Appleton & Associates International Lawyers LP (Toronto), Co-Director of the International Law Center at New York Law School, and Scholar and Fellow at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, where he is the Interim Director of the Balsillie Legal Advisory Centre.
Prof. Appleton is the author of numerous publications on economic law and the regulation of the digital and innovation economy, and two books about the NAFTA.
Moderated by Vassy Kapelos, Chief Political Correspondent, CTV News
Based in Ottawa, Vassy Kapelos is host of CTV's weekly political journal of record, Question Period, and host of CTV News Channel's weekday marquee political program, Power Play. She is also the host of the weekday national radio program, The Vassy Kapelos Show, on the iHeartRadio Canada Talk Network. A four-time Canadian Screen Award winner, Kapelos has been recognized for Best Talk Program or Series and Best Political News Program or Series, among other honours. She has extensive experience covering federal and provincial politics in Canada, having previously served as host of CBC's Power & Politics and as Global News' Ottawa bureau chief and host of The West Block. Kapelos also serves as goodwill ambassador for The Hellenic Initiative Canada and sits on the board of the Economic Club of Canada.
Introduction by Carol Wilding, FCPA, FCA, ICD.D, President & CEO, CPA Ontario
December 2, 2025: Tax Reform for Growth in Canada
CPA Ontario President & CEO Carol Wilding, FCPA, FCA, ICD.D was joined by John McKenzie, FCPA, FCMA, CEO of TMX Group, and John Ruffolo, FCPA, FCA, Founder and Managing Partner of Maverix Private Equity, for a conversation moderated by Chief Financial Correspondent for CTV News Amanda Lang. Together, they explored how Canada’s tax system has become a barrier to growth, discussed tax changes in the 2025 Federal Budget, and shared their views on how tax reform can drive innovation and investment in Canada.
May 22, 2025: A Fireside Chat with the Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario’s Minister of Finance
On May 22nd, CPA Ontario welcomed the Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario’s Minister of Finance and Vassy Kapelos, Chief Political Correspondent for CTV News to the Insights stage for a discussion on the 2025 Ontario Budget, interprovincial trade, and the long-term prospects for the province’s economy and fiscal position in an unpredictable economic environment.
Read CPA Ontario’s summary of the fireside chat with the Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy.
November 26, 2025: How the U.S. Election Will Impact Canada’s Economy — and CPAs
On November 26th, 2024 David Frum, Canadian-American political commentator and staff writer at The Atlantic, and Rudyard Griffiths, Chair and moderator of the Munk Debates, joined the Insights program for a timely discussion unpacking what a second Trump administration will mean for Canada’s economy. The conversation was frank and wide-ranging, touching on tariffs, trade, taxes, and how Canada might respond.
