On April 19^th 2018, the Canadian International Council (CIC) held its inaugural Borden Dinner, part of a series that features high-level speakers addressing pressing global issues. The invitation-only event is named after the CIC’s inaugural President and Canada’s eighth Prime Minister, Sir Robert Borden. The inaugural dinner featured Mr. Ray Tanguay, the Automotive Advisor to the Governments of Canada and Ontario and the former Chairman of Toyota Canada Inc.

Mr. Tanguay discussed the future of the Canadian auto industry against the backdrop of increasingly turbulent negotiations over the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). He presented the results of a government-supported report that he authored on the auto industry titled, Drive to Win, which discusses ways the auto industry can innovate and thrive “during a period of unprecedented disruption stemming from climate change, new technologies, and shifting expectations and uncertainties surrounding trade and investment.”

Attended by more than 35 distinguished participants from the business community, academia, government and civil society, the intimate meeting featured a lively discussion on the future direction of the auto industry and the broader Canadian economy. Closing remarks were delivered by the Ontario Minister for Research, Innovation and Science, Reza Moridi, who reflected on the strength of the partnership between the government and the auto sector and the government’s robust commitment to industry-wide growth and innovation.

The Borden Dinner Series holds dinners only held four times a year and provides an opportunity for meaningful engagement on Canada’s role in international affairs. Information about the next Borden dinner will be released in the summer of 2018.