Jarislowsky dinner and discussion serves up a dose of somber reality – and offers hope

Even before the doors to the Crystal Ballroom at the Fairmont Hotel opened for the Jarislowsky Fellowship in Business Management Dinner and Discussion on March 11, the discussion part of the evening was already well underway.

Attendees, with hors d'oeuvres in hand, used the pre-event networking time to engage in focused and intense conversations. The assembled professionals, community leaders, and Haskayne School of Business MBA and EMBA students were ready to dive deep, and the evening’s theme of Boardrooms and Ballots: How Politics Shapes Business Strategy did not disappoint. 

Irfhan Rawji, Jarislowsky Fellow and managing partner with Relay Ventures, moderated the evening’s discussion around the intersection of business and politics. Drawing on the expertise of panellists from all three of Canada’s major political parties, the conversation explored Canada’s changing leadership, our fraught relationship with the U.S., and how Canadian businesses can work more effectively with politicians to drive necessary changes.

Thoughtful insights on big questions 

The panellists provided thoughtful insights and injected some hope into a frequently somber discussion. They included:

• The Honourable Anne McLellan, former deputy prime minster and Liberal cabinet minister;
• The Honourable Monte Solberg, former Conservative cabinet minister, who graciously stepped in when the Honourable Jason Kenney was unable to attend due to an unscheduled personal matter;
• Brian Topp, a seasoned Canadian political strategist and Rachel Notley’s former chief of staff, who sits on the recently formed Council on Canada-U.S. Relations with a ringside seat to unfolding developments.

Solberg encapsulated the gravity of our geopolitical landscape when he said, “Since 1945, the world has basically operated on rules. We’ve had a world order that promoted democracy, human rights, free and fair trade — the things that brought us tremendous prosperity. I really think that Donald Trump threatens all of that. He’s throwing out all these rules we have become accustomed to."

It's time to set aside petty arguments

Despite their political differences, the panellists agreed Canada is at a pivotal moment in its history and Canadians need, and deserve, an elevated level of political discourse heading into this year’s federal election. Now is not the time for name calling or petty arguments.

The panel discussion, dinner table conversations, and Q-and-A period all underscored the need for stronger ties between business and politics during this turbulent time. Unable to downplay the very real threat Canada is facing, politicians and business leaders alike were called upon to work together to strengthen the country's international trade relationships, diversify markets, break down provincial barriers, defend industries and keep Canadian startups on this side of the border as they scale up.

Topp acknowledged Canadians haven’t always been active or interested in politics. He noted, “It’s not such a bad thing that we had an era where politics was not that important, because we’re going to miss those days.” He continued that, now, “We’re being threatened with annexation. That’s not a counsel of despair; it’s a call to action.”

Tips to help navigate the rules of government

To that end, the seasoned politicians provided attendees with practical tips for understanding and effectively navigating the often-arcane rules of government. 

First and foremost? Read the Throne Speech. Understand what the government’s priorities are and adapt your pitch to match that language. Come with ideas and solutions that fit the government’s agenda. 

Next, don’t underestimate the power of working with staffers. Getting to see the minister should be your last resort, not your first goal. After all, if the minister says no, your chances of getting what you want are slim. 

Underlying message of hope

Despite the seriousness and urgency of our current political climate, there was an underlying message of hope.

McLellan captured the moment, and a round of applause, when she reminded attendees, “We can do this. We built railroads. We built pipelines. We built seaports ... We have it within each one of us and our communities and our families and our companies and our NGOs and our charities – we have it within us to not despair.”

“We’ve got this, but it will take sacrifice.”

As the evening wrapped up, Gina Grandy, Haskayne School of Business dean, took a moment to thank outgoing co-fellow Rawji for his years of service. Grandy thanked him for “empowering the next generation of business leaders,” and noting his “commitment is a testament to the transformative power of education and the importance of giving back to the community,” before presenting him with an original, limited-edition piece of Indigenous art from Elijah Wells, a UCalgary student and Kainai artist.

Flagship event in Jarislowsky Fellowship in Business Management

The Jarislowsky Dinner and Discussion Series is the flagship event in the Jarislowsky Fellowship in Business Management, a program that offers Haskayne MBA and EMBA students the opportunity to explore current topics in business leadership. 

The fellowship is rooted in philanthropist Stephen Jarislowsky’s belief that providing students with access to community leaders and professionals will help them understand that success in business requires developing a more holistic perspective through community involvement and an appreciation of the arts, international culture, religion, politics, and diversity. 

The fellowship aims to expose Haskayne students to the practical aspects of business and cultivate well-rounded leaders capable of tackling business challenges in their future careers.