Canada stands at a pivotal juncture, navigating a rapidly evolving global landscape shaped by economic uncertainty, technological transformation, and shifting geopolitical dynamics. As leaders and citizens alike look ahead, our Annual Outlook panel will unpack the forces defining Canada’s path forward in 2026.
For forty-nine seasons, Canadian Club Toronto has gathered expert panelists each New Year for a forecast luncheon on the economy, the markets, and political issues that will affect Canadians in the year ahead. Moderated by David Skok, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of The Logic, this year’s panel features:
*For virtual attendees, please note that the live stream will begin at approximately 12:30pm ET & the link will be provided closer to the event date*
Kevin Carmichael
Economics Columnist & Editor-at-Large, The Logic
Kevin Carmichael has spent more than two decades writing about economics, business and finance for outlets including Bloomberg News, The Globe and Mail and the Financial Post, where he also served as editor-in-chief. His journalism has been honoured by the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing and the National Magazine Awards. He has worked as a correspondent in Ottawa, Washington, D.C., and Mumbai, and now lives in Montreal
Jean-François Perrault
Senior Vice President & Chief Economist, Scotiabank
Jean-François Perrault joined Scotiabank in 2015 as Senior Vice-President and Chief Economist. He leads a team of Economists to support Scotiabank’s domestic and international business lines and clients from retail to capital markets, providing Scotiabank’s senior executives, business lines and customers with perspectives, insights and forecasts on economic, financial market and policy developments. Prior to joining Scotiabank, Jean-François held prominent roles with the federal government, the Bank of Canada, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
Amanda Lang
Senior Business Correspondent, CTV News
Award-winning business journalist Amanda Lang has been covering business in North America for more than 25 years. Lang is chief financial correspondent for CTV News, contributing to its flagship national newscasts and across its networks. She is also the host of Taking Stock, a weekly national television program airing across multiple Bell Media networks including BNN Bloomberg, CP24 and CTV News Channel. She is also host of the Wonk podcast, produced by the Public Policy Forum. Previously, Lang was CBC’s senior business correspondent, reporting for its flagship nightly news program, The National, and host of The Exchange with Amanda Lang, a daily business program airing on CBC News Network. For five years before that Lang hosted The Lang and O’Leary Exchange, with Kevin O’Leary. And prior to that the pair co-hosted SqueezePlay, on BNN, for 6 years.
Lang studied Architecture at the University of Manitoba, before becoming a journalist. Her first job in journalism was for the Globe and Mail, and subsequently Lang joined the Financial Post newspaper, where she became the paper’s New York correspondent. In New York she made the leap to television, where she first was part of the team that launched BNN (then ROBtv) and before long wound up at CNN as a reporter and anchor. Lang is also a best-selling author. “The Power of Why,” (HarperCollins, October 2012) explores the connection between curiosity and success. “The Beauty of Discomfort” (HarperCollins, April 2017) examines how difficult change can be, and set out strategies for how to achieve it.
Dennis Mitchell
CEO and Chief Investment Officer, Starlight Capital
Dennis Mitchell joined Starlight Capital in March 2018 as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer. He has over 20 years of experience in the investment industry and has held executive positions with Sprott Asset Management, serving as Senior Vice-President and Senior Portfolio Manager, and Sentry Investments, serving as Executive Vice-President and Chief Investment Officer.
Mr. Mitchell received the Brendan Wood International Canadian TopGun Award in 2009, 2010, and 2011 and the Brendan Wood International 2012 Canadian TopGun Team Leader Award. He also received the Afroglobal Television Excellence Award for Enterprise in 2020 and the Black Business and Professionals Association’s Harry Jerome President’s Award in 2021.
Mr. Mitchell holds the Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Business Valuator designations and earned a Master of Business Administration from the Schulich School of Business at York University in 2002 and an Honors Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1998.
Mr. Mitchell currently sits on the Board of the Toronto Foundation and is Co-Founder and Director of the Black Opportunity Fund.
David Skok
CEO & Editor-in-Chief, The Logic
Before founding The Logic in 2018, David Skok was the associate editor and head of editorial strategy at the Toronto Star. He has also served as the managing editor and vice-president of digital for the Boston Globe, and as the co-creator and director of digital for Global News. David is a leading thinker on digital transformation who co-published a seminal paper on disruption in the news industry with the Harvard Business School professor Clayton M. Christensen. David sits on the advisory board for the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University and has served as a juror for the Pulitzer Prizes in journalism.
