1. What is the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference (GGCLC)?
The Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference owes its origin to the 1956 Commonwealth Conference initiated by His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The first Duke of Edinburgh’s Commonwealth Study Conference brought together “future leaders” of labour and corporate management from around the world and engaged them in a three-week hands-on exploration of the implications of decision-making in industrial communities throughout Britain. It was hoped that through the process of exposure and interaction imposed by these “study tours”, a more enlightened leadership would emerge and, with it, a more socially progressive era of labour-management relations.

While intended as a one-time initiative, the Alumni of that first event felt it was too valuable an experience not to be repeated for subsequent generations of leadership. It has thus occurred once every six years since, with Canada, Australia, and Britain alternating as host nation. In 1980 Canada played host to the Duke’s Conference, with the Canadian participants emerging committed to the concept of recreating the model on a national basis. Under the leadership of The Right Honourable Edward Schreyer, the first Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference was held in 1983.

This uniquely Canadian Conference was judged by both participants and volunteer organizers to have been extremely valuable, and its Alumni decided to organize a conference every four years. Thanks to the determined commitment of Alumni from both the Duke’s Conference and the Governor General’s Conference, the strong support from a number of progressive organizations, and the continued patronage of Governors General, the 1983, 1987, 1991, 1995, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2022 Conferences were judged as highly successful.

2. Why does Canada need this conference?
The Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference builds national leadership skills. The Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference is a registered non-profit organization whose objective is to introduce Canada’s future business, labour, public sector and community leaders to a myriad of complex issues in order to expand their ability to interact with people, develop improved decision-making processes, and test their capacity to deal with the unexpected. This is a unique experience designed to enhance leadership skills across Canada. Participants are typically in mid-career and have been identified by their organizations as individuals who are part of their succession planning and likely to occupy senior level positions in the future.

Conference participants will discuss significant socio-economic issues with national, regional and community leaders in order to attain a broader understanding of the direct consequences their decisions may have on individual Canadians. Their immersion with 16 other participants from diversified backgrounds who form part of their Study Group creates an intensive group-dynamic environment where preconceived ideas will be challenged.

3. Who will be included and how will they be selected?
Participants will be drawn from business, labour, government, academia, and the community. Applications are reviewed and all qualified applicants are interviewed by local alumni who pass their recommendations to the National Membership Committee, which makes the final selection.

Participants attend as individuals but they must be sponsored by their employer, trade union, or by a recognized organization that will attest to their suitability as participants. Participants are generally in mid-career and will likely be in high-level, decision-making positions within the next ten years.

4. Is there an age restriction?
No, there is no age restriction. In most cases participants will range in age from late-twenties to mid-forties. Candidates should be mid-career and identified by their organization as having the potential to rise to the top of the organization within 10 years.

5. What costs will be covered for participants?
From the time of their arrival at the Opening Plenary, all costs will be covered by the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference. Participant’s sponsors are expected to ensure that salaries and benefits are continued during the Conference and to cover the costs of travel to and from the Conference.

6. Who provides stipend for daily needs?
There is no stipend provided – meals, accommodations and travel are all covered by the GGCLC.

7. How is the Conference financed?
The Conference is financed by donations of cash and in-kind support from corporations, unions, communities, governments, Conference alumni and other supportive individuals.

8. What recognition will donors receive?
Donors and in-kind suppliers will be acknowledged in the Conference materials and during the Conference proceedings. They also will receive recognition by category of donation in all printed materials and on the Conference website. Contributions and support will be well-known to our country’s future leaders.

9. Are donations tax-deductible?
Yes, cash donations are tax-deductible. The Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference is a registered charitable Corporation (registration #85199 5878 RR0001).

Under taxation laws, receipts cannot be given for in-kind support.

10. What in-kind donations are required?
Goods and services are required to operate the Conference, such as hotel accommodations, meals, air transportation, vehicles for ground transportation, translation services, and printing, just to name a few. All donations will be clearly acknowledged.