Step Back to Lead Forward


2026 Toronto Island Retreat: What We Covered

The day opened with a keynote by the Hon. Erin O'Toole on Canada-U.S. relations and the case for Canadian self-reliance — a grounding frame for the sessions that followed.

Six sessions addressed the issues in-house counsel are navigating right now: legislation moving faster than consultation cycles, the organizational risk that comes from fragmented legal oversight, immigration compliance as a higher-risk area than most departments treat it, and the litigation exposure already emerging from AI use — including prompt and output production, litigation holds, and where privilege risk actually sits.

Peer roundtables and an evening reception closed the day.

Montreal | November 13, 2026

The next Retreat takes place at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth. The program will be updated as sessions are confirmed. If the Toronto Island Retreat is any indication, expect a full day of candid, peer-driven conversation on the issues shaping in-house leadership right now.

Participation is intentionally limited to keep the environment interactive and the conversations candid.

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Please note: Session topics and speakers will be announced as they are confirmed. The schedule may be subject to change.

9:00amArrival & Breakfast
9:30amOpening Remarks
9:45amKeynote
10:30am

Session 2
Sponsored by McCarthy Tétrault

11:15amBreak - sponsored by LawVu
11:45am

Session 3
Sponsored by Blaney McMurtry LLP

12:30pmLunch
1:45pm

Peer-to-Peer Leadership Roundtables
A perennial favourite at the Retreat, these small-group discussions provide space for candid conversations on the issues that matter most. Participants exchange experiences, share practical insights, and learn from peers navigating similar leadership challenges.

2:30pmSession 5
3:15pmBreak - sponsored by LawVu
3:45pm
Session 6
4:30pm
Closing Remarks & Reception