There is no region of politics that John Ibbitson has not reported on. From 2002-2007, he was the political affairs columnist for The Globe and Mail, before being named their first columnist based out of Washington, where he writes on developments in American politics and society, and what they mean for Canada and for the world. Prior to this, he covered municipal and provincial issues for Southam newspapers, and wrote for The National Post.

Ibbitson's latest book, The Polite Revolution: Perfecting the Canadian Dream, is a blueprint for the next Canada—a controversial, provocative and ultimately hopeful book in which he dismantles the old ways of thinking about Canada’s immigration, free trade, social, and defence policies. It amounts to nothing less than a revolutionary plan for the creation of a new national dream, and has quickly established itself as one of the most-read and controversial political books in years.

Before becoming a major political pundit, John Ibbitson was a playwright and a novelist. His perspective, in fact, is informed by his relatively late entry into professional journalism: he started later in life and worked his way from the ground up. He's never forgotten what questions matter to everyday Canadians as he finds the information that we need to make smart decisions about our future. Ibbitson is currently based out of Washington, DC, and travels throughout Canada to deliver his keynote presentations.

John Ibbitson presents a vision of what the future holds for Canada. In this talk, he argues that Canada has, quietly and without much fanfare, become the most successful country on earth. He sees Canada as the world's first truly cosmopolitan country, one that combines the best of the British and French traditions of governance and law with an openness and acceptance of diversity that is unprecedented. Canada, he says is at the point where it could truly own the next century. But, there are issues to address and problems to solve—in such areas as the national political party system, federal-provincial relations, Medicare, competitiveness and foreign policy, to name a few. Tough choices have to be made and new ideas are much in demand. But, Ibbitson says, the good news is that Canada will be making these choices from a position of strength. To understand Canada, and to work for what is good for all Canadians, we have to understand where we're going and why it matters. John Ibbitson is one of the best guides there is for this historic journey.

Canada and the United States enjoy the most complex and interconnected cultural and economic relationship of any two countries in the world. Yet Canadians don't know or understand Americans nearly as well as we think we do, while Americans don't realize that Canada could teach them a thing or two about how to govern a country. Drawing on his unique perspective-writing for Canada's national paper while posted in the American capital-John Ibbitson provides audiences with an insider's guide to the state of these two nations, including the latest on important bilateral issues, such as trade, defence and the environment.

America enters the heated 2008 Presidential race with its reputation abroad at its lowest ebb since the Vietnam era. Yet it is not Iraq and Iran that pose the greatest challenge to America's continued prosperity and global dominance. Education, health care, social security, immigration-these are the pressing issues that remain unaddressed, thanks to a dysfunctional and polarized federal government. The Cassandras, however, should not pop the champagne corks. For all its troubles and contradictions America remains a fascinating, dynamic society, and the 21st Century may yet become known as the Second American Century. In this talk, John Ibbitson reports on the perils and progress of the troubled giant to the south.

What happens in Ottawa happens to everyone across Canada. John Ibbitson knows the trends and forces that are shaping political policy and he knows what kinds of long-term effects today's decisions will have for you. In this presentation, John Ibbitson will apply his expertise to determining what is coming from Ottawa that is going to affect your business and how. If you want to prepare for the future, it's time to listen to John Ibbitson.

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