The 28th Metropolis Canada Conference

Halifax 2026

Summary

The 28th annual National Metropolis Canada Conference

CHANGING COURSE? ESTABLISHING CONSENSUS ON CANADA’S IMMIGRATION FUTURE

March 11-13, 2026
Halifax Convention Center
Halifax, Nova Scotia

In October 2024 Canada unveiled a new Immigration Multi-Year Levels Plan that considerably reduced the targets for both permanent and temporary migrants. It constituted a dramatic modification from rising immigration numbers that characterized the previous decade. The move represents a departure from a vision for the country which saw immigration as critical to growth. The cuts have raised important questions about policies and programs. Reaching the targets has important ramifications for categories of immigrants, different regions of the country, and migrant countries of origin. Given the asymmetry in immigration policies in Canada, the effects of these immigration level reductions will inevitably be uneven.

What does this imply for the future of immigration in Canada? Is the direction we’re headed the best for the country in meeting future challenges? What are the unintended outcomes of these policy decisions? Do they advance Canada’s competitiveness in the current global economy or impede it? Do we need to consider changing course?

This important national gathering will seek to address the above questions

Register today by clicking on the registration tab

Call For Proposals

Submission Form - Metropolis Canada, Halifax 2026

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Registration

Early bird rate is available until December 31, 2025

Registration TypeEarlybirdRegular
NGO / Student - One Day$195 CAD$250 CAD
NGO / Student - Three Days$395 CAD$445 CAD
Regular - One Day$250 CAD$280 CAD
Regular - Three Days$445 CAD$545 CAD

No refunds will be made after February 20, 2026

Registration Type Earlybird
NGO / Student - One Day $185 CAD
Regular - One Day $250 CAD
NGO / Student - Full Event $395 CAD
Regular - Full Event $445 CAD
Conference Reception - March 11 $25 CAD
Click on a price to register

Book a hotel room

The Sutton Place Hotel

1700 Grafton St, Halifax, NS B3J 2C4

Hotel guestrooms are available at the conference rate from $229 per night  

Book to obtain the conference rate by clicking here: https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2freservations.suttonplace.com%2f113161%3f%26groupID%3d4953893%23%2f&c=E,1,JsRDiMOd24MS5Ty0KglsaqYwHgx3Gmutb0GPzGQOh93OlL_OQYa1aAMNTSP2s-tTrFlk2PCL2kavrFkdU8HNaUwSJiMjcFFhkgFrX_SD5DDxPkw0rCE,&typo=1

The deadline to obtain the special conference rate is February 11, 2026. Limited rooms are available. Following February 11 the rate and/or availability of rooms is no longer guaranteed

Hotel website:  https://www.suttonplace.com/halifax?utm_source=google&utm_medium=maps&utm_campaign=halifax


Cambridge Suites Hotel Halifax

1583 Brunswick St, Halifax, NS B3J 2G1

Hotel guestrooms are available at the conference rate from $169 per night 

Book to obtain the conference rate by clicking here: https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=Https%3a%2f%2freservations.travelclick.com%2f13605%3fgroupID%3d4692766&c=E,1,hV_VJp-BYnKOYFKqPosEHA2Oe0fTVVPa9UUbwu7WrN5I3Sf0JXJGTFf0PqxKz0U0NgWvMP1d5_5SS4SwEnwUMBVj1QFc8L6mOAqnwT9ALdhA4Ba4w3s2nQt4&typo=1

The deadline to obtain the special conference rate is February 11 2026. Limited rooms are available. Following February 11 the rate and/or availability of rooms is no longer guaranteed

Hotel Website: https://www.cambridgesuiteshalifax.com/

Discover Halifax Information & Discounts

about the Metropolis Institute

The Metropolis Institute (MI) pursues research and supports policy deliberations while providing key national and multinational platforms for knowledge mobilization.

Research

Supporting cross-sectoral cooperation, the Metropolis Institute serves as a trusted bridge for interaction, dialogue and learning between practitioners, policymakers, researchers and civil society through national and multinational knowledge mobilization programs.
We aim to provide reliable and timely research, data and analysis to enhance understanding of migration, integration and inclusion.

Publications

Metropolis Institute has three flagship publications that are integral to its knowledge transfer mandate.
1. The Canadian Issues magazine showcases academic work in the form of short essays designed to expand Canadians’ knowledge about their country.
2. A second publication, Canadian Diversity, introduced in 2000, focuses on the challenges confronting Canada and other countries arising from migration and rapid demographic change.
3. A third publication - The Metropolis eBook - highlights a selection of the cutting-edge cross-sectoral presentations in the immigration field intended for the annual Metropolis Canada Conferences.