CN Forum | Beyond the Gordie Howe Bridge: Reimagining Trade and Commerce for a New Age

CUBSA invites you to join MSU Canadian Studies Center and CUSBA President, Laurie Tannous, at the upcoming CN Forum, “Beyond the Gordie Howe Bridge: Reimagining Trade and Commerce for a New Age.”

Established through a generous endowment provided to the MSU Canadian Studies Center by Canadian National Railway (CN), the CN Forum provides a venue for academic, business, advocacy, and governmental leaders to share information, discuss matters of common concern to those in the US and Canada, and identify opportunities for mutual cooperation to enhance social and economic growth.

The Forum will consist of an engaging morning and afternoon panel discussion, fully catered lunch, a mid-day keynote, and plenty of time for networking.

Tickets are free but limited. To save your spot, we encourage you to register today!

Morning Fireside Chat —11 am

What’s Next? Beyond the Gordie Howe Bridge 

• Val Kucherenko, Director, MSU Center for Railway Research and Education
• Amy O’Leary, Executive Director, SEMCOG
• Earl Provost, Ontario Agent-General
• Laurie Tannous, President, Canada-United States Business Association
• Steven Melnyk, Professor of Supply Chain Management, Michigan State University (Moderator)

By the end of the session, the participants will:

• Be introduced to the history and the events that led to the decision to build the Gordie Howe Bridge.
• Be able to better assess the impacts of recent developments in the US-Canada trade relationship, such as the Gordie Howe Bridge, on the economic, political, and cultural dimensions of the relationships linking Michigan to Ontario and the United States to Canada.
• Recognize that this bridge, while important, is not enough. It is a start. Other developments are needed. The participants will be introduced to these other factors.
• Be better able to identify the factors that will either impede or accelerate these developments.

Keynote Address—12:45 pm

• The Honorable Garlin Gilchrist II, Lt. Governor of Michigan

With introductory remarks by Rebecca Malouin and the Honorable James Blanchard

Afternoon Fireside Chat—1:30 pm

Lessons Learned in Canada-US Relations 

• Colin Bird, Consul General of Canada in Detroit
• Stephen Brooks, Professor of Political Science, University of Windsor
• Jean-François Hould, Quebec Delegate in Chicago
• The Honorable Amos O’Neal, Michigan State Representative, 94^th House District
• The Honorable Roger Victory, Michigan State Senator, 31^st Senate District
• Eric Freedman, Knight Chair in Environmental Journalism, Michigan State University (Moderator)

By the end of the session, the participants will:

• Develop a broader understanding of the US-Canadian relationship, what factors can be expected to impact this relationship, and what the future holds for the ties that bind Canada and the United States.
• Recognize the various threats to this relationship, why they are threats, and how they can be most appropriately mitigated.
• Better appreciate the roles that schools, Institutions (such as the Canadian Studies Center), and universities play in enhancing and improving relationships between Canada and the United States.
• Be introduced to new strategies and ideas for how such a powerful relationship can be nurtured and improved over time.

View Complete CN Forum Schedule

For questions, please email the Center at [email protected].

Tickets are free but limited. To save your spot, we encourage you to register today!