On September 10 we held our Winkler Speaker Series in Industrial Relations. Our MIR and PMIR students came together for a timely discussion on the escalating Canada-U.S. trade war and its impact on workplaces. Bringing together colleagues from sectors that may be directly impacted, the session explored what the current state of economic uncertainty means for HR and labour relations professionals.

The conversation focused on how the trade war may affect HR and labour relations strategies, recruitment and talent management, collective bargaining, and the unique challenges facing organizations with both Canadian and U.S. operations. Designed as an interactive discussion rather than a formal presentation, the session encouraged participants to share perspectives and engage in a broader conversation about the evolving employment relations landscape.

More than anything, the session reinforced the important role HR and labour relations professionals play in helping organizations navigate change while supporting employees through uncertain times.

A special thank you to our panel of speakers: Abhiram Sarvepalli, LeeAnn Zaitsoff, and Ann Marie Veneziano.