Mark your calendars! CFUW (formerly Canadian Federation of University Women) is excited to announce that the 2026 Annual General Meeting and Conference will take place in beautiful Montréal, Quebec, from July 20 to July 24, 2026!

This year the AGM Theme is “Moving Forward Together – Optimisons Nos Forces.” reflects our commitment to collaboration, strength, and progress as we look to the future. In addition to the usual business of the annual general meeting (business session, policy session, etc ) there will also be an awards ceremony, entertainment, renowned speakers during the conference day, and the great opportunity to network with CFUW members and executive from across Canada.

READ the information below and if you have any issues or questions you can call Amy Macleod or email (communications@cfuwedmonton.org)

Information so far...

AGM & Conference Location

• Delta Hotels Montreal (website)

  • Book your group rate for CFUW AGM 2026 - If you wish to extend your stay in Montreal, the group rate extends before and after the schedule (Start Date: Friday, July 17, 2026 - End Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026 ). Last Day to Book : Tuesday, June 30, 2026. Click here to book online with group rate

  •  pet friendly hotel in Montreal is located near McGill University and Montreal Convention Centre, making us the ideal destination for conferences and events. Find the most renowned local attractions within walking distance of the hotel in Montreal's entertainment district. Relax in modern, stylish hotel rooms with sleek workspaces, free Wi-Fi and room service. Select rooms include balconies. Club-level rooms allow access to our 23rd floor Club Lounge, where you can enjoy complimentary breakfast and evening appetizers with stunning views of the Montreal skyline. Our fitness centre, pool and spa help you stay fit and relaxed during your stay. Brasserie Milton welcomes you in a cozy atmosphere, and offers you comforting and tasty dishes inspired by local Quebec flavors. Discover downtown from our hotel in Montreal, Canada. CITQ Establishment Number: 560173 Expire: 2026-02-28

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  • There are discount codes for the block of rooms 

• Airfare

     WestJet 

• • 5% off Econo* and 10% off EconoFlex and Premium base fares for travel within Canada and between Canada & US 

  • No discount will apply to Ultra Basic or Business class bookings. 

  • To take advantage of this offer, you will need the discount code listed. Please visit www.westjet.com to make a booking online.

  • Applicable Rules 

    • The booking is to be made to the following city: Montreal, QC 

    • The travel period begins: 7/11/2026, travel period ends: 8/1/2026 

    • Coupon Code: Guest web/Travel Agent web 3Z0Z3BL 

    • Promo Code: Travel Agent GDS only YBW43 

Air Canada

• • 5% off Econo* and 10% off EconoFlex and Premium base fares for travel within Canada and between Canada & US 

  • No discount will apply to Ultra Basic or Business class bookings. 

  • To take advantage of this offer, you will need the discount code listed. Please visit www.westjet.com to make a booking online.

  • Applicable Rules 

    • The booking is to be made to the following city: Montreal, QC 

    • The travel period begins: 7/11/2026, travel period ends: 8/1/2026 

    • Coupon Code: Guest web/Travel Agent web 3Z0Z3BL 

    • Promo Code: Travel Agent GDS only YBW43 

Schedule

• Monday, July 20: Arrival and registration (recommended if attending a LAC tour/activity on the Tuesday)

• Tuesday, July 21: Arrival and registration / LAC Tours (Morning, Afternoon and Full Day Tours will be available), Opening Ceremony and Dinner

• Wednesday, July 22: AGM and Member Led Sessions / Charitable Trust Dinner

• Thursday, July 23: Conference Day - Keynotes, Workshops, and Speaker Panel / LAC Dinner

• Friday, July 24: Policy Session (AM) - Closing ceremony and remarks/Lunch

Registration

Fees include all coffee/tea breaks and meals (Monday dinner; Tuesday breakfast, lunch, dinner; Wednesday breakfast, lunch)

• Registration opens January 14, 2026 

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• We can’t wait to welcome you to Montréal for an inspiring week of learning, networking, and connection!

• Early Bird Rate (register by May 31): $529.75 ($495/person +GST) Use Promo Code at Check Out: EarlyBird 

• Regular Rate (register after May 31): $551.25 ($525/person +GST)

• July 24: 1 day Conference Registration: $115/person +GST (includes breaks and networking lunch)

• Companion Pass: this pass is for members that have an individual travelling with them. This pass includes dinner on Monday, July 22, and dinner on July 23. $170/person. Contact Jamie Beagen, Executive Director (execdir@cfuw-fcfdu.ca), to proceed with payment and registration. Must be purchased by June 22. 

Speakers

2024 CFUW Realizing Potential Conference Speakers

These talks are on Wednesday, July 24, and are INCLUDED in your (full) registration AND the conference (one-day) registration) 

Speakers (left to right, top then bottom in above graphic):

• Kathryn LeBlanc: Kathryn is a communications and advocacy expert and the Principal Consultant at LeBlanc (& co.) Communications. As a sought-after strategist and speaker, Kathryn uses communications strategy to help organizations reach their social impact goals. Before starting her consulting firm, Kathryn worked in leadership roles at nonprofits and was a Press Secretary on Parliament hill. Now, Kathryn’s clients include local, national, and international organizations — exclusively in values-aligned fields such as health, housing, philanthropy, frontline services, arts, and city building. Kathryn has a particular focus on advocacy related to 2SLGBTQI+ rights, gender justice, and sexual health, having led many major campaigns in these areas. Kathryn currently volunteers on the Planned Parenthood Ottawa board and was on the Parkdale Food Centre board for three years.

• Jake Stika: As Next Gen Men's Executive Director, Jake is passionate about changing the way we see, act, and think about masculinity among youth, in communities, and at the workplace towards a future where boys & men experience less pain, and cause less harm. Jake has earned recognition from Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40, Ashoka, the British Council, and the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion. He has spoken at the United Nations as part of the Canadian Delegation and has also served as a proud advisor to the Calgary Immigrant Women's Association, Canadian Women & Sport, as well as Men &. 

• Janice Makokis: Janice Makokis is a prominent Indigenous legal scholar and advocate who works tirelessly to address the intergenerational trauma caused by residential schools and to create a better future for her community. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Native Studies, a Master of Arts in Indigenous Governance, and a Bachelor of Laws. In addition to her academic achievements, she is a gifted educator and cultural keeper, regularly participating in activities and education initiatives within her community. Janice Makokis is currently focused on Indigenous laws and legal orders at the Onion Lake Cree Nation, where she plays an active role in providing strategic insights for the decisions made by the Elders Council. She is also a co-producer of the film "Awasisak Our Future" and serves as a board advisor for the Yellowhead Institute, an Indigenous-led research and education center in Toronto.

• Dr. Patricia Makokis: Dr. Patricia Makokis is a distinguished Indigenous leader and knowledge keeper on Turtle Island, with a three-decade legacy of advocacy. Internationally recognized, her profound connection to community, traditional wisdom, and her people's rich history. Renowned for her servant leadership in education, policy development, and community engagement, she has significantly advanced conversations and actions toward equality, justice, hope, access, and transformation across communities and nations. Through her advocacy, Dr. Makokis’s compassion and resolve guide future generations and nations along the paths of reconciliation. She unites audiences with the power of allyship and unity, spreading her message of hope and healing worldwide. Committed to shedding light on historical truths, she fosters awareness of her people’s realities and propels actions toward reconciliation and a world that embraces unity.

• Puneeta McBryan: Puneeta McBryan is the CEO of the Edmonton Downtown Business Association, a role she took on in December of 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as cities, downtowns and businesses all over the world grappled with the devastating impact of the pandemic and the unknown reality ahead. As the lead convener, connector, and ‘chief optimist’ for Edmonton’s Downtown, Puneeta is working with all three orders of government, the private sector, the arts & cultural and post-secondary sectors, and her city’s social services and nonprofit leaders to help build vibrancy, social well-being, and economic prosperity for her community. This work has led to her recognition as the Inspired Leader of the Year in 2022 by IABC Edmonton, one of Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40 by Edify Magazine in 2021, and the recipient of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 Community Impact Award. 

• Pembina Institute: The Pembina Institute is working to solve today’s greatest energy challenges — reducing the harmful impacts of fossil fuels while supporting the transition to an energy system that is clean, safe and sustains a high quality of life. We provide our expertise to industry and government leaders, and we advocate for a strong, science-based approach to policy, regulation, environmental protection and energy development.

• John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights: Based on participant experiences, identities, and struggles, this session unveils the historical foundation and consolidation of oppressive social structures in Canada. We invite participants to identify the relationship of events and legislation and how this has formed and perpetuates unquestioned cognitive biases, prejudices and discrimination. Participants will engage in reflection on their social location and positionality and engage in dialogue and learning on practical ways to transform everyday spaces with an anti-oppressive lens. The session will focus on localizing and making anti-oppression relevant and tangible. Participants will receive an electronic toolkit they can use to get further information and education on the “Story of Canada.”