Join us tomorrow for The Walrus Talks Power and Belonging—an evening of ideas about agency, voice, and connection, live in Toronto and online. Then, look ahead to The Walrus Debate: Can Politics Be Civil Again? in Calgary on May 20.

Belonging Forum presents

The Walrus Talks Power and Belonging

Exploring agency, purpose, and belonging in action

TOMORROW: Thursday, April 9
4 p.m. PDT | 5 p.m. MDT | 5 p.m. CST | 6 p.m. CDT | 7 p.m. EDT | 8 p.m. ADT | 8:30 p.m. NDT

In person in Toronto and livestreamed event

Every year, new studies show continual erosion in the public trust in institutions and society in Canada. Democracy feels fragile, and many people feel shut out of the systems that shape their lives. Now more than ever, it’s important to question and understand the intersection of power and belonging.

At The Walrus Talks Power and Belonging, speakers from civic life, research institutions, culture work, and community organizing will explore how agency and voice define whether people feel they belong. How can dignity, trust, and participation be rebuilt when polarization is driving us apart? How can communities and individuals reclaim the power to make a difference?

From democracy and civic participation to education, economic systems, and cultural identity, join us live in Toronto or online for fast-paced talks exploring the power to participate, be heard, and connect with others around shared purpose.

FEATURING

Alica Hall, Executive Director, Nia Centre for the Arts

Dr. Caroline Shenaz Hossein, Canada Research Chair of Feminist Political Economy, Founder of the Diverse Solidarity Economies Collective

Anthony Morgan, Co-Host, CBC's The Nature of Things

Amanda Munday, Executive Director, New Majority

Maiwand Rahyab, Founder and CEO, Resilient Societies

Riley Yesno, Scholar, Writer, and Indigenous Politics Expert, University of Toronto/The Yellowhead Institute

Canadian Vote Summit

The Walrus Debate: Can Politics be Civil Again?

Three parties. One debate. 

Wednesday, May 20
5:30 p.m. PDT | 6:30 p.m. MDT | 6:30 p.m. CST | 7:30 p.m. CDT | 8:30 p.m. EDT | 9:30 p.m. ADT | 10:00 p.m. NDT

In person in Calgary and livestreamed event

As political discourse grows sharper and trust erodes, The Walrus Debate asks a timely question: Can Politics Be Civil Again?

Hosted in Calgary at the Canadian Vote Summit, this debate brings together former political leaders and insiders from Canada’s major parties to model respectful disagreement and explore how dialogue can help rebuild public trust in democracy.

Expect a dynamic and thought-provoking discussion that moves beyond partisanship to examine how political culture can shift toward greater accountability, civility, and trust.

FEATURING

Kathleen Wynne, 25th Premier of Ontario

Jagmeet Singh, Former Leader of the New Democratic Party

Ian Brodie, Former Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Stephen Harper

WATCH: The Walrus Talks Opioids

At The Walrus Talks Opioids, medical experts, frontline workers, policymakers, and individuals with lived experience with opioid use disorder share evidence-based strategies for tackling the crisis, highlight proven policy solutions, and outline what we can do to end the crisis.