A June 18, 2026 Canadian Science Policy Centre notice (received via email), announces early registration for their annual conference, Note: CSPC can stand for either the Canadian Science Policy Centre or the Canaidian Science Policy Conference depending on context. From the announcement,

CSPC 2026 Registration is Now Open –

Register at SuperSaver Rate

Registration for the eagerly awaited 18th Canadian Science and Innovation Policy Conference is now available! Check the CSPC Conference Website for more information.

Register now at the SuperSaver rate, which offers significant savings and is valid until August 31, 2026.

CSPC 2026 will feature:

• NEW: AI Policy and Governance Summit on Tuesday, November 24, 2026
• 4 Symposia with 15+ sessions on Wednesday, November 25, 2026. Themes on:
  • Northern Sovereignty
  • Talent Development
  • From Investment to Impact in Dementia Research and Innovation
  • Transforming R&I Investments into Canadian Economic Sovereignty: A Federal-Provincial Dialogue
• 50+ Concurrent Panel Sessions
• 7 Plenary Sessions
• 2 Breakfast Sessions
• 2 Luncheons Talks
• 2 Receptions
• Fireside Chats
• Gala Dinner

With the overarching theme of ‘Sovereignty by Design: Mobilizing Action to Reshape Canada’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Capacity’, CSPC 2026 expects more than 1000 participants, 300+ speakers in 50+ panel sessions, and will include a spectacular Gala Dinner featuring its award ceremony, which has become a signature annual event to celebrate Canadian science and innovation policy achievements.

Don’t miss out on the SuperSaver rate, and register now!

Register Now

Now for the rate, from the CSPC 2026 registration page,

Registration Rates

All rates are subject to 13% HST tax.
For group registration, please see below

Conference and Symposiums: 3 Lunches, 3 breakfasts, refreshment breaks, and two receptions.
AI Summit:  Breakfast, lunch and refreshment breaks.

SuperSaver (All Summer) until August 31	CONFERENCE ONLY	CONFERENCE + SYMPOSIUM (Nov 25-27, 2026)	CONFERENCE + SYMPOSIUM + AI SUMMIT (Nov 24-27, 2026)	GALA DINNER (Nov 25, 2026)
Standard (Gala Dinner included)		$1,300.00	$1,400.00	Included
Academic/Non-Profit/Diplomat/Retired		$850.00	$950.00	$150.00
Student/Post Doctoral		$350.00	$400.00	$99.00

Early Bird (Sept 1 to Oct 4)
Standard (Gala Dinner included)	$1,400.00	$1,500.00	$1,600.00	Included
Academic/Non-Profit/Diplomat/Retired	$900.00	$1,000.00	$1,100.00	$150.00
Student/Post Doctoral	$350.00	$400.00	$450.00	$99.00

Regular (Oct 5 to Nov)
Standard (Gala Dinner included)	$1,600.00	$1,700.00	$1,800.00	Included
Academic/Non-Profit/Diplomat/Retired	$1,000.00	$1,100.00	$1,200.00	$150.00
Student/Post Doctoral	$400.00	$500.00	$550.00	$99.00

	AI SUMMIT ONLY (Tuesday Nov 24 9am – 5pm)	SYMPOSIUM ONLY (Wednesday Nov 25 9am-12pm)
Standard	$300	$300.00
Academic/Non-Profit/Diplomat/Retired	$200	$200.00
Student/Post Doctoral	$100	$100.00

Other	Cost
Speaker One Day (Day of presentation)	$250
Speaker Full Conference	$500
Exhibitor Booth Staff	$900

Gala Dinner Tickets	Cost
Guest (not registered for conference)	$300
Table (10)	$2,750

The actual conference is from November 25 – 27, 2026. The AI Summit being held on November 24, 2026 is tacked onto the conference..

By and large prices are up by about $50 – $100..One of the things that makes the 2026 iteration different is that you can’t purchase a ‘conference only’ registration if you’re a “supersaver.” The others, early bird and regular have the ‘conference only’ option. Predictably, there’s a new category. In addition to ‘conference’ only, ‘conference + symposium’, and ‘gala dinner’, there’s ‘Conference + Symposium + AI Summit’.

As for the AI summit (November 24, 2026) and the 2026 CSPC (November 25 – 27, 2026), here’s more from the 2026 conference homepage, Note 1: This is early so there are no details about speakers or sessions, Note 2: Due to my technical shortcomings, I have reformatted the following information,

Sovereignty by Design: Mobilizing Action to Reshape Canada’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Capacity

The 18th annual Canadian Science and Innovation Policy Conference (CSPC 2026) will be held from Nov 24th-27th, 2026 at the Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa.

AI POLICY AND GOVERNANCE SUMMIT

Tuesday,
Nov 24th [2026[
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
(In Person Only)

• 7 panels, bringing together experts to discuss AI governance, safety, tech adoption, and their impact on policy making

SYMPOSIUMS

Wednesday,
Nov 25th [2026]
9:00am – 12:00pm
(In Person Only) • 4 Symposia:
– Northern Sovereignty
– Talent Development
– The Moonshot We Can’t Afford to Miss – Policy and Strategic Investment to Transform Dementia Research and Innovation for Societal Impact
– Transforming R&I Investments into Canadian Economic Sovereignty:
A Federal-Provincial Dialogue

• Includes 15+ sessions

MAIN CONFERENCE

Wednesday,
Nov 25th – Friday, Nov 27th [2026]
(In Person Only)

• 50+ Concurrent Sessions
• 7 Plenary Sessions
• 2 Luncheon Talks
• 2 Breakfast Sessions
• Fireside Chats
• 2 Receptions
• Gala Dinner

CSPC 2026 Tracks:

STI: Sovereignty, and National Capability

STI2: he Challenge of Implementation – Coordination and Collaboration

ST3: Productivity, Competitiveness, and Economic Transformation

ST4: Civil Society, Public Trust, Social Cohesion, and Democratic Resilience

ST5: Talent Development and Future Skills

ST6: Science and Innovation Diplomacy and Geopolitical Shift

ST7: Northern and Arctic Knowledge and Innovation – Key to Canadian Sovereignty?

That’s it for now.