In this conference, leading economic experts and negotiators will examine economic trends, legal developments, and emerging workplace issues impacting negotiations in the broader public sector.

The first panel of this conference will explore the economic and fiscal forecasts in Alberta and federally and the impacts on the labour market. With this context, top legal experts and negotiators will explore the implications for bargaining in the public sector and provide actionable strategies for navigating negotiations in the current financial climate. Arbitrator and mediator Leanne Young will provide added context for these strategies in her keynote address examining Alberta’s unique bargaining framework and public sector mandates. A third panel will explore recent caselaw and legislative developments impacting public sector bargaining and a fireside chat with Evangeline Berube will delve into the unique challenges of catering to generational differences in the workplace. The conference will close with a panel focusing on modernizing collective agreements to better address emerging and key issues such as artificial intelligence (AI), EDI, remote work, restructuring, and more.

Throughout the event, panelists from union-side, employer-side, and neutral perspectives will share their insights through moderated discussions. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions verbally or electronically at the end of each panel.

Participants will also be provided with a comprehensive set of digital materials including textbook chapters, case summaries, and other online resources. These resources, developed through hours of research by Lancaster House program lawyers, will prove invaluable for future reference.