MONDAY, JULY 28
Webinar: ‘Continuing the Fight for Pharmacare’—The Canadian Health Coalition hosts a webinar, “Continuing the fight for pharmacare, breaking the grip of big pharma,” featuring Dr. Joel Lexchin and Sharon Batt. Monday, July 28, at 12 p.m. ET. happening online: healthcoalition.ca.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30
Panel: ‘Telecommunications in Canada’—As part of its CIPPIC Summer Speaker Series 2025, the University of Ottawa’s Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic hosts a discussion on “Telecommunications in Canada,” featuring Vicky Eatrides, chair and CEO of the CRTC; and Rachelle Frenette, general counsel and deputy executive director, CRTC. Wednesday, July 30, at 1 p.m. ET at uOttawa, Fauteux Hall, 57 Louis-Pasteur Private. Register via Eventbrite.
MONDAY, AUG. 18
Byelection in Battle River–Crowfoot—Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will be running in the byelection in Battle River–Crowfoot, Alta., which will be held today. Former Conservative MP Damien Kurek resigned his seat so that Poilievre could run here and get a seat in the House.
MONDAY, SEPT. 1
Senator Seidman’s Retirement—Today is Quebec Conservative Senator Judith Seidman’s 75th birthday, which means her mandatory retirement from the Senate.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 3—FRIDAY, SEPT. 5
Assembly of First Nations’ AGA—The Assembly of First Nations hosts its annual general assembly. Wednesday, Sept. 3, to Friday, Sept. 5, at the RBC Convention Centre, 375 York Ave., Winnipeg. Details: afn.ca/events.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 5—SATURDAY, SEPT. 6
CSFN Regional Conference—The Canada Strong and Free Network hosts its 2025 Regional Conference. Conservatives will gather to discuss the unique needs and aspirations of Western Canadians within the Canadian federation. Friday, Sept. 5, to Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Westin Airport Calgary Hotel. Details: canadastrongandfree.network.
TUESDAY SEPT. 9-THURSDAY, SEPT. 12
Liberal National Caucus Meeting—The federal Liberals will meet from Tuesday, Sept. 9 to Thursday, Sept. 12, for their national caucus meeting in Edmonton to set their fall strategy.
MONDAY, SEPT. 15
House Returns—The House of Commons returns on Monday, Sept. 15, and it’s expected to be a busy fall session. It will sit Sept. 15-19; Sept. 22-26; Oct. 1-Oct. 3; Oct. 6-Oct. 10; Oct. 20-Oct. 24; Oct. 27-Oct. 31; Nov. 3-Nov. 7; Nov. 17-Nov. 21; Nov. 24-Nov. 28; Dec. 1-Dec. 5; and Dec. 8-Dec. 12. That’s 11 weeks left before it breaks for the year 2025. In total, the House sat only 73 days this year. Last year, it sat 122 days, and in 2023, it sat 121 days. In 2022, it sat 129 days, and in 2021, it sat 95 days.
Ottawa Centre September Trivia Night—The Ontario Liberal Party hosts an evening of trivia and fun downtown with fellow Liberals. Each ticket includes snacks and a drink cover, and new Future Fund sign-ups will be accepted at the door. Monday, Sept. 15, at 5:30 p.m. ET at 3 Brewers Restaurant, 240 Sparks St., Ottawa. Details: ontarioliberal.ca.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 16
Conference: ‘Canada’s Next Economic Transformation’—The Institute for Research on Public Policy hosts a day-long conference, “Canada’s Next Economic Transformation: Industrial Policy in Tumultuous Times.” Participants include Steve Verheul (former assistant deputy minister of the Trade Policy and Negotiations branch of Global Affairs Canada); Matthew Holmes (Canadian Chamber of Commerce); Emna Braham (L’Institut du Québec); Jim Stanford (Centre for Future Work); Jesse McCormick (First Nations Major Project Coalition); Chris Bataille (Centre on Global Energy Policy); and Tim Hudak (Counsel Public Affairs). Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the Lord Elgin Hotel, 100 Elgin St., Ottawa. Details: irpp.org.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17
CUTA 2025 Policy Forum—The Canadian Urban Transit Association hosts its 2025 Policy Forum, bringing together some of North America’s leading transit and urban mobility experts to discuss the industry’s future. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 8 a.m. ET the Lord Elgin Hotel, 100 Elgin St., Ottawa. Register via Eventbrite.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 19
First of 2025 CBC Massey Lectures—Former Amnesty International Canada secretary-general Alex Neve will deliver this year’s CBC Massey Lectures, titled “Universal: Renewing Human Rights in a Fractured World.” The next lectures will take place in Vancouver (Sept. 25), Edmonton (Oct. 1), Happy Valley/Goose Bay, Labrador (Oct. 15), and Ottawa (Oct. 30). Friday, Sept. 19, Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W., Toronto. Details to follow: masseycollege.ca.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 21
Senator Mégie’s Retirement—Today is Quebec ISG Senator Marie-Françoise Mégie’s 75th birthday, which means her mandatory retirement from the Senate.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 23
Senate Returns—The Senate will return on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 2 p.m., and is scheduled to sit Sept. 23-25, but could also sit on Sept. 26. It’s scheduled to sit Oct. 1-2 (possibly Oct. 30); Oct. 7-Oct. 9 (possibly Oct. 6 and Oct. 10); Oct. 7-9, (possibly Oct. 6, Oct. 10); Oct. 21-23 (possibly Oct. 20, Oct. 24); Oct. 28-30 (possibly Oct. 27, Oct. 31); Nov. 4-6 (possibly will sit Nov. 3, Nov. 7); Nov. 18-20 (possibly Nov. 17, Nov. 21); Nov. 25-27 (possibly sit Nov. 24, Nov. 28); Dec. 2-4 (possibly Dec. 1, Dec. 5); Dec. 9-11 (possibly Dec. 1, Dec. 5); dec. 9-11 (possibly Dec. 8, Dec. 12); and finally Dec. 16-18 (possibly Dec. 15, Dec. 19). And that will be it for 2025.
Future Forward Summit—Canada 2020 hosts its annual policy summit on the topic “Future Forward: Shaping Public Policy in Canada.” At a time when the world is shifting fast, this summit asks the question: how can Canada shape—not just react to—the forces defining our future? Tuesday, Sept. 23, at The Westin Ottawa. Details: canada2020.ca.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 24
Politics and the Pen Gala—The Writers’ Trust of Canada hosts the Politics and the Pen Gala, its annual fundraiser where the $25,000 Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing will also be presented. Location to be announced. Details: writerstrust.com.
MONDAY, OCT. 6
An Evening with David Peterson—The Pearson Centre hosts an evening with David Peterson, celebrating the 40th anniversary of his becoming premier of Ontario in 1985. Monday, Oct. 6, at 6:30 p.m. ET at One King West, Toronto. Details: thepearsoncentre.ca.
FRIDAY, OCT. 17
Senator Richards’ Retirement—Today is New Brunswick Senator David Adams Richards’ 75th birthday, which means his mandatory retirement from the Senate.
TUESDAY, OCT. 21
The Regent Debate—The C.D. Howe Institute host the seventh Regent Debate, a marquee platform for serious discussion on policy issues essential to Canada’s future. Speakers to be announced. Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 5 p.m. ET at the Fairmont Royal York, Toronto. Register: cdhowe.org.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 22—SUNDAY, OCT. 26
Ottawa International Writers’ Festival—The Ottawa International Writers’ Festival fall edition takes place from Wednesday, Oct. 22, to Sunday, Oct. 26. Details to come: writersfestival.org.
THURSDAY, OCT. 23
Douglas Roche to be Awarded—Douglas Roche will receive the Canadian Leadership for Nuclear Disarmament 2025 Distinguished Achievement Award on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at 4 p.m at the Centre for International Policy Studies at the University of Ottawa, in Room 4007 of the Faculty of Social Sciences Building, 120 University Private, Ottawa. Roche will also deliver a lecture, “Creative Dissent: A Politician’s Struggle for Peace.” The lecture will be followed by a reception and will conclude at 6 p.m. For more information, contact the CLND Secretariat at clnd@pugwashgroup.ca
THURSDAY, OCT. 30
Final CBC Massey Lecture—Former Amnesty International Canada secretary-general Alex Neve will deliver the final instalment of this year’s CBC Massey Lectures, titled “Universal: Renewing Human Rights in a Fractured World.” Thursday, Oct. 30, at the National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin St., Ottawa. Details to follow: masseycollege.ca
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 5
Vimy Gala—The Conference of Defence Associations Institute hosts its 33rd annual Vimy Gala. This prestigious black-tie event honours Canada’s fallen heroes and celebrate exceptional Canadians who have shaped the nation’s defence and security landscape. The 2025 Vimy Award Laureate will also be honoured. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Canadian War Museum, 1 Vimy Pl. Register: cdainstitute.ca.
SATURDAY, NOV. 22
Press Gallery Dinner—The Parliamentary Press Gallery will host its annual gala dinner. Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Sir John A. Macdonald Building, Ottawa. Details: collin.lafrance@parl.gc.ca.
THURSDAY, JAN. 29—SATURDAY, JAN. 31, 2026
Conservative National Convention—The Conservative Party of Canada will hold its the National Convention. Thursday, Jan. 29, to Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at the Telus Convention Centre, Calgary.
The Parliamentary Calendar is a free events listing. Send in your political, cultural, diplomatic, or governmental event in a paragraph with all the relevant details under the subject line ‘Parliamentary Calendar’ to news@hilltimes.com by Wednesday at noon before the Monday paper or by Friday at noon for the Wednesday paper. We can’t guarantee inclusion of every event, but we will definitely do our best. Events can be updated daily online, too.
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