THE REGENT DEBATES
The Eighth Regent Debate
Be it Resolved: The Crown’s Indigenous Consultation Framework Has Become an Unintended Impediment to the Country’s Economic Prosperity
Fairmont Royal York | Concert Hall
Wednesday, October 28th, 2026
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET
The Crown-Indigenous relationship is integral to Canada’s economic future. Significant gaps in income, health, housing and economic opportunity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians remain.
At the same time, Indigenous economic development, resource revenue sharing and self-determination are increasingly central to national conversations about major projects, energy infrastructure and Canada’s long-term competitiveness.
Against this backdrop, an important question lies at the heart of this year’s Regent Debate: Has the Crown’s Indigenous consultation framework become an unintended impediment to the country’s economic prosperity?
Canada must uphold the legal and constitutionally binding duty to consult Indigenous Peoples while providing the investment certainty needed to support economic growth for everyone. The challenge is how best to achieve both.
The Eighth Regent Debate will examine this challenge openly, rigorously and constructively.
For the Motion:
The Honourable Sonya Savage
Crystal Smith
Against the Motion:
Tabatha Bull
The Honourable Thomas Mulcair
ABOUT THE REGENT DEBATES
The Regent Debates are made possible thanks to the philanthropic support of Aaron Regent. The debates are a marquee platform for serious discussion on policy issues essential to Canada’s future.
Each debate features a panel of eminent thought leaders and decision makers arguing opposing sides of a proposition.
The inaugural Regent Debate was on the desirability of a universal basic income. Later questions included healthcare privatization, how Canada should deal with Donald Trump and how to regulate Big Tech.
Mr. Regent is one of the great champions and guiding forces behind the success of the Canadian mining and materials industry. He is the founder, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Magris Performance Materials Inc. He is currently Chair of the Board at Scotiabank and a board member of Nutrien, and was previously President and CEO of Barrick Gold Corp., Senior Managing Partner at Brookfield Asset Management, and President and CEO of Falconbridge Ltd.
