Workforce leaders call for greater collaboration to address Canada’s changing labour market

National Workforce Leadership Summit to focus on workforce resilience, AI adoption, skills development and labour mobility at a time of growing workforce pressures

OTTAWA, ON, October 7, 2026 – Canada’s workforce challenges are becoming increasingly complex as employers respond to changing skill requirements, labour shortages, technological change and major economic investments. Today, workforce leaders, employers, educators and policymakers will gather in Ottawa for the inaugural National Workforce Leadership Summit to examine shared workforce priorities and identify opportunities for coordinated action across sectors.

The summit, convened by the National Sectoral Workforce Development Councils, will bring together leaders from multiple industries to explore solutions that strengthen Canada’s talent pipeline and prepare workers for the future. It comes at a time when governments and employers are increasingly focused on workforce capacity as a driver of economic growth and competitiveness.

Discussions will focus on workforce transformation, labour market intelligence, workforce participation, labour mobility, workforce sustainability and the growing role of artificial intelligence in Canada’s economy.

For more than 30 years, workforce development councils have helped employers, governments and workforce partners develop solutions that support skills development, talent pipelines and the future of work. Today, the Workforce Development Councils represent industries employing approximately half of Canada’s workforce and works to strengthen workforce policy, reduce duplication and support evidence-based decision-making.

“No single industry can solve Canada’s workforce challenges on its own. Labour shortages, shifting skills requirements and economic transformation are affecting employers across the economy,” says Philip Mondor, President and CEO, Tourism HR Canada. “The National Sectoral Workforce Development Councils are bringing together industry leaders, workforce experts and partners from coast to coast to coast to share knowledge, identify common challenges and develop practical solutions that strengthen Canada’s talent pipeline and support a more resilient workforce.”

The National Workforce Leadership Summit reflects a growing recognition that many workforce challenges do not fit neatly within sector boundaries. Issues such as labour mobility, demographic pressures, workforce participation, digital transformation and emerging skill requirements affect employers across Canada’s economy. The summit will create opportunities for employers, industry leaders, governments and workforce experts to share insights and identify practical approaches that can support workforce resilience and long-term economic growth.

A key theme of the event will be artificial intelligence and workforce transformation. Summit participants will explore how organizations can prepare workers for AI-enabled workplaces while supporting responsible adoption of emerging technologies. These conversations align with broader federal priorities related to ethical AI use, workforce readiness and skills development.

Additional discussions will focus on workforce intelligence, participation, inclusion and workforce sustainability. These themes align with ongoing government efforts to expand access to skills development, support underrepresented workers and strengthen labour market outcomes across Canada.

“Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence are reshaping jobs, workplaces and the skills employers need to remain competitive,” says Mondor. “At the same time, creating opportunities for workers to move their skills across sectors has never been more important. This summit provides a unique opportunity for leaders from diverse industries to collaborate on workforce solutions that help workers adapt to change, support business growth and ensure Canada remains competitive in the years ahead.”

The summit will feature workforce leaders from sectors including manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, electricity, mining, tourism and biotechnology, as well as representatives from government, research organizations and employers from across the country. Participants will examine workforce challenges affecting their industries while identifying opportunities for greater collaboration and shared action.

The National Sectoral Workforce Development Councils believe that effective workforce development requires strong partnerships among employers, governments, educators and workforce organizations. By bringing these perspectives together, the summit will contribute to the workforce strategies required to support Canada’s future economy.

About the National Sectoral Workforce Development Councils

The National Sectoral Workforce Development Councils bring together industry, governments, educators and workforce partners to develop solutions that support skills development, talent pipelines and the future of work. Representing industries that employ approximately half of Canada’s workforce, the Councils work to strengthen workforce policy, reduce duplication and help governments and employers make informed decisions that benefit workers, businesses and Canada’s economy.

Learn more about the National Sectoral Workforce Development Councils at workforcecouncils.ca.

Media Contact

Will Meyer
Director, Communications and Career Development, MiHR Council
info@workforcecouncils.ca
613-270-9696, ext. 258

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