Speakers
2026 Home Building Week in Canada
Monday, May 04 - Friday, May 08 | Québec City, QC
The 2026 Home Building Week in Canada is set to be an exciting event, with a lineup of impressive speakers during the second half of the week that have been selected to energize and inspire, and get you thinking about your business – and life – with a new perspective and renewed enthusiasm. See below for sessions to look forward to.
Keynote Speaker (Thursday Morning, May 7th, 2026)
The Hon. Jean Charest,
Former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and Premier of Québec
The Honourable Jean Charest is one of Canada’s most recognized political leaders, having served at the highest levels of government for nearly three decades. A former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and three-term Premier of Québec, he is also a member of the Prime Minister’s Council on Canada–U.S. Relations. Mr. Charest brings deep insight into Canada–U.S. relations, global trade, strategic leadership, and business diplomacy. As Premier, he led major initiatives including Plan Nord, advanced labour mobility between France and Québec, and played a key role in launching negotiations for the Canada–European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Today, Mr. Charest is a partner at Therrien Couture Joli-Cœur, where he advises clients on public policy, corporate strategy, and international matters.
Keynote Speaker (Friday Morning, May 8th, 2026)
Shawn Kanungo
Shawn Kanungo is a globally recognized innovation strategist and bestselling author, known for his expertise in innovation, disruption, and generative AI. With 12 years at Deloitte, he worked closely with leaders to help organizations navigate the opportunities and challenges of rapid technological change. A high-energy and highly rated keynote speaker, Shawn offers an optimistic, practical roadmap for staying competitive by embracing bold and unconventional approaches to innovation. Named one of Edify’s Top 40 Under 40 and praised by Forbes as “the best virtual speaker I’ve ever seen,” he has advised Fortune 500 companies across industries. Shawn is the first innovation expert to release a streaming special on Apple TV and Prime Video and is the author of the bestselling book The Bold Ones, recognized by McKinsey as essential reading for decision-makers. He is a widely followed thought leader featured in The Globe and Mail, The Guardian, CBC, and CTV.
Keynote Speaker (Friday Morning, May 8th, 2026)
Mike Downie
Mike Downie is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and philanthropist known for his powerful storytelling and cultural impact. He directed and produced The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal, which premiered at TIFF 2024, won the People’s Choice Award for Documentary, and earned seven Canadian Screen Awards. He is also the co-founder of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, Canada’s largest reconciliation fund, and a co-creator of Secret Path, the groundbreaking multimedia project telling the story of Chanie Wenjack. Through his films and speaking engagements, Mike inspires audiences to see storytelling as a force for connection, understanding, and change. His award-winning body of work includes The Hockey Nomad, One Ocean, The Covid Cruise, and Invasion of the Brain Snatchers.
