What’s next at The Walrus? Explore Upcoming Events

From navigating the pressures of midlife, to strengthening Canadian democracy and reimagining the country’s economic future, The Walrus’ upcoming events explore the questions shaping how we live together. Join us for conversations about belonging, civic participation, and Canada’s place in the world, with opportunities to connect with big ideas and fresh perspectives from leading thinkers.

Colorful graphic announcing a talk about midlife and belonging

Belonging Forum presents

The Walrus Talks at Home: Midlife and Belonging

Rethinking connection in the middle years

Midlife can be an unexpectedly isolating time of competing responsibilities: caring for children and aging parents, navigating careers and financial pressures, maintaining friendships, and adapting to changing identities. For some, it means navigating a life that looks very different from the typical milestones of adulthood. Whatever its shape, midlife can leave people questioning where they belong and how to maintain the connections that sustain them.

The Walrus Talks at Home: Midlife and Belonging brings together researchers, experts, and storytellers to explore why connection becomes harder to maintain in midlife — and what we can do about it.

Join us online on November 5 for a conversation about the challenges of creating a sense of belonging in midlife, and how we can strengthen social bonds and critical supports during this difficult — and often overlooked — stage of our lives.

Anna Gordon, Kelci Harris, Rachel Savage, and Bryan Smale

FEATURING

Anna Gordon, Certified Career Development Professional

Kelci Harris, Assistant Professor, Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Victoria

Rachel Savage, Scientist and Director of the Women’s Age Lab, Women’s College Hospital; Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) Sex, Gender, and Loneliness in Aging; Associate Professor, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto

Bryan Smale, Director, Canadian Index of Wellbeing; Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Recreation and Leisure Studies, Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo

The Walrus and DXC+ present

Democracy Live

Stories Shaping Change: In a country of many stories, how do we build the civic muscle to stay united?

NEXT WEEK: Monday, November 9 - Daytime Conference
Sessions from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT

In person in Winnipeg and livestreamed event

Democracy is a verb, not a noun. Its health relies on civic fitness: our ability to navigate conflict, listen deeply, and act together. Like physical fitness, it isn't built in a single election, but through repeated practice.

Hosted by The Walrus and DXC+ by DemocracyXChange, Democracy Live is an inaugural, one-day gathering to celebrate civic participation and build civic fitness. The summit brings together residents, artists, organizers, and community leaders to address one central question:

In a country of many stories, how do we strengthen democratic participation and unity through action in Manitoba and across Canada?

A highlight of the day will be Premier Wab Kinew in conversation with Carmine Starnino, Editor-in-Chief of The Walrus, exploring political leadership, the stories that shape our country, and how we can strengthen democracy together. See the interview before it appears in The Walrus.

The day will also feature engaging discussions, interactive workshops, and The Walrus Debate: Is There Such a Thing as a Canadian Identity?

Join us in Winnipeg or online this November to share your story, build civic fitness, and help shape the future of our democracy.

Part of the 2026 McGill Max Bell Lectures

The Walrus Talks at Home: Canada After America

A strategy for prosperity in a changed world

For generations, Canada built its prosperity on economic integration with the United States, only to find itself hostage to its nearest neighbour.

Join us for the second of three 2026 McGill Max Bell Lectures with authors Ricardo Hausmann and Eric Protzer. They’ll argue that instead of retreating from globalization, Canada should take its place as a real competitor on the world stage, not only by bringing its natural resources to global markets, but also by building up industries like aerospace and the life sciences to overcome the “tyranny of distance”.

The rupture with the U.S. is a serious crisis—but also a historic opportunity to build a more innovative, resilient, and globally respected Canada.

FEATURING

Dr. Ricardo Hausmann, Director, Harvard’s Growth Lab; Rafik Hariri Professor of the Practice of International Political Economy, Harvard Kennedy School

Eric Protzer, Senior Research Fellow, Harvard’s Growth Lab

Hosted and moderated by Carmine Starnino, Editor-in-Chief, The Walrus

Aurora over a snowy landscape beside a graphic reading North of Now

MacEwan University presents

The Walrus Talks North of Now

for the Chancellor Speaker Series 2026

Northern voices shaping Northern futures

What does the future hold for Canada’s North? Edmonton is often described as the “Gateway to the North.” But what new possibilities could we find to redefine that role by collaborating with northern communities to support economic and community development in the region and beyond?

The Walrus Talks North of Now brings together community leaders, researchers, policy makers, and industry professionals to explore bold, northern-led visions for economic growth, sustainability, and reconciliation. From advancing infrastructure and economic diversification to strengthening environmental stewardship alongside Indigenous Nations and communities, the conversations will examine both the challenges and emerging opportunities impacting the region’s future.

Join us in Edmonton or online for an evening that explores the transformative potential of community university partnerships in driving meaningful change.

Five circular portraits with names displayed beneath them

FEATURING

Kluane Adamek, Chair, Indigenous Advisory Council to Canada’s Major Projects Office; Former Yukon Regional Chief, Assembly of First Nations

General Jennie Carignan, CMM, MSC, MSM, CD, Chief of the Defence Staff

Whit Fraser, Journalist, Author and Former Viceregal Consort of Canada

Dr. Jessica M. Shadian, President and CEO, Arctic360

Sean Willy, President and CEO, Des Nedhe Group

Upcoming

The Walrus Talks at Home:
Creativity and Belonging

Tuesday, December 1
Virtual Event

WATCH: The Walrus Talks Community Reborn

At The Walrus Talks Community Reborn, leading thinkers and civic leaders explored how nonprofits are the invisible glue holding our society together. From building civic participation to studying Indigenous community models, speakers revealed how we can save the services that improve and enrich our lives.