The Imagine Marine Conference returns for its third year September 22–23 at the Rogers Centre in Ottawa, bringing together industry leaders, government, educators, and workforce partners from across Canada. Hosted by the Canadian Marine Careers Foundation (CMCF), the event supports a growing national effort to strengthen the marine workforce needed to meet Canada’s economic and trade ambitions.
Under this year’s theme, Future-Proofing the Marine Workforce: Skills, Tech, and Talent, the conference will focus on how the sector can respond to evolving labour market demands, technological change, and national priorities tied to supply chains, trade corridors, and economic resilience. Addressing workforce gaps is critical to ensuring the marine sector can continue to support domestic growth and global competitiveness.
This year’s program places a strong emphasis on practical learning and implementation. Sessions are designed to equip participants with concrete tools and strategies they can apply within their own organizations. Topics include integrating AI into successful workforce planning, building future marine leaders, and aligning recruitment and retention strategies with Canada’s shifting labour market and immigration landscape. Sessions will also explore sector workforce solutions and how government policy and funding can enable training modernization and workforce development.
This year’s keynote speakers are Noel Baldwin, Executive Director of the Future Skills Centre, and Camille Dundas, Co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of ByBlacks.com. They will be joined by leaders from Transport Canada, Public Services Procurement Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, the Royal Canadian Navy, Seaspan Shipyards, The CSL Group, Algoma Central Corporation, Prince Rupert Port Authority, COVE, BC Ferries, and the Pacific Pilotage Authority, among many others, reflecting the cross-sector collaboration required to advance workforce solutions.
“Canada’s population is aging, immigration levels are declining and technologies such as AI are transforming the way people work,” said Julia Fields, Executive Director of the Canadian Marine Careers Foundation. “It’s important to have everyone in the same room to build unified strategies and collective resources to address key challenges around attraction, retention and training. This is the only way that we will be able to compete against other industries all vying for the same talent in a rapidly changing marketplace.”
CMCF’s mission is to address workforce shortages and build long-term capacity across the marine sector. Over the past year, CMCF has launched a government-funded program that trains new entrants and upskills seafarers in Ontario; developed a BC marine workforce strategy; and submitted national funding proposals for projects to prevent workplace harassment in the marine sector, and expand sea-time placement opportunities.
Outreach remains a central priority for the Foundation, with expanded engagement across schools, guidance counsellors, and employment organizations. These efforts are complemented by annual Marine Careers Expos, Marine Month in Canada, and the launch of the new Imagine Marine Job Board, which uses AI-powered matching to better connect jobseekers with employers.
As the Imagine Marine Conference continues to evolve, it is increasingly positioned as a platform not just for discussion, but for advancing coordinated, actionable solutions that support workforce growth to ensure Canada’s marine sector has the people, skills, and investment needed to thrive.
Learn more: https://imagine-marine.ca/im-conference2026
(CMCF photo)