Event Details
The BC Chamber of Commerce is excited to introduce its Business Unplugged Executive Dinner Series, designed for senior business leaders to connect in a relaxed environment and engage in stimulating conversation with their peers.
Each dinner event will feature a keynote address by an industry thought leader, who will share their observations, insights and ideas about business in British Columbia, before engaging with guests in an interactive Q&A.
We are delighted to welcome David Williams, Vice President of Policy, Business Council of British Columbia as our keynote on April 15, 2025.
Agenda
6
00PM
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7
00PM
7
00PM
-
8
00PM
8
00PM
-
8
45PM
Keynote: Shaking Canada’s Foundations
David WilliamsAdjusted for population, Canada’s economy has barely grown in a decade. We have the third-weakest GDP per capita growth among the 38 OECD member countries.
Public sector spending has been strong, while private sector activity has stagnated. B.C. has done slightly better than other provinces, but only due to four mega capital projects that are now completed. Compounding these home-grown challenges, our economy now faces external challenges as President Trump upends global trading arrangements.
How does Canada shift from a growth model dependent on credit, population growth and public sector spending to one focused on improving the underlying conditions for private sector activity — and why does that matter? What policies can help ensure Canada and B.C. are on a sound economic footing?
These are just some of the questions our guest speaker, David Williams, Vice President of Policy at the Business Council of British Columbia, will address during his presentation Shaking Canada’s Foundations.
8
45PM
-
9
00PM
Keynote: Shaking Canada’s Foundations
Adjusted for population, Canada’s economy has barely grown in a decade. We have the third-weakest GDP per capita growth among the 38 OECD member countries. Public sector spending has been strong, while private sector activity has stagnated. B.C. has done slightly better than other provinces, but only due to four mega capital projects that are now completed. Compounding these home-grown challenges, our economy now faces external challenges as President Trump upends global trading arrangements. How does Canada shift from a growth model dependent on credit, population growth and public sector spending to one focused on improving the underlying conditions for private sector activity — and why does that matter? What policies can help ensure Canada and B.C. are on a sound economic footing? These are just some of the questions our guest speaker, David Williams, Vice President of Policy at the Business Council of British Columbia, will address during his presentation Shaking Canada’s Foundations.
Speakers
David Williams
Vice President of Policy at Business Council of British ColumbiaDavid Williams is Vice President of Policy at the Business Council of British Columbia. He leads the development of research and advice to government on economic policy, productivity, investment, innovation, taxation and human capital.
David joined the Council in 2018 after six years as Senior Economist at the Bank of Canada. Prior to immigrating to Canada, he spent nine years in increasingly senior roles in the Australian public service. He was Senior Adviser for Economic Policy at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet before taking leave to pursue postgraduate studies at Oxford University. While at Oxford, David was a lecturer in economics and a PhD research intern at the International Monetary Fund.
He is Immediate Past President of the Association of Professional Economists of B.C., an organization representing around one hundred of the province’s top economists, and an adjudication committee member for the Canadian Economic Association’s Mike McCracken Award for Economic Statistics. He is also a member of the B.C. government’s Economic Forecast Council.
David holds a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Philosophy in economics from Oxford University.
Keynote
David Williams is Vice President of Policy at the Business Council of British Columbia. He leads the development of research and advice to government on economic policy, productivity, investment, innovation, taxation and human capital.
David joined the Council in 2018 after six years as Senior Economist at the Bank of Canada. Prior to immigrating to Canada, he spent nine years in increasingly senior roles in the Australian public service. He was Senior Adviser for Economic Policy at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet before taking leave to pursue postgraduate studies at Oxford University. While at Oxford, David was a lecturer in economics and a PhD research intern at the International Monetary Fund.
He is Immediate Past President of the Association of Professional Economists of B.C., an organization representing around one hundred of the province’s top economists, and an adjudication committee member for the Canadian Economic Association’s Mike McCracken Award for Economic Statistics. He is also a member of the B.C. government’s Economic Forecast Council.
David holds a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Philosophy in economics from Oxford University.
Registration
Cancellation & Substitution Policy:
Payment is non-refundable for cancellations made within 10 business days of an event, or non-attendance on the day. Complimentary substitution of another member of your company is accepted.
Sponsors and Partners
For information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jennifer Jones, Director, Events and Partnerships at jjones@bcchamber.org.
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