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, co-chaired by Paula Knight and Emmanuel Nahimana, will seek to address the above questions.

Co-Chairs of The Conference

Paula Knight
CEO
Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)

Emmanuel Nahimana
Deputy Director General
La Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse (FANE) (The Acadian Federation of Nova Scotia)

Register today by clicking on the registration tab

Call For Proposals

Registration

Early bird rate is available until December 31, 2025

Please note that all registrants will be added to any mailing lists relevant  to this event as well as to the ACS monthly newsletter. Please contact us at metropolis@acs-aec.ca to opt out.

No refunds will be made after February 20, 2026

Visit to the Pier 21 Immigration Museum, Reception and Guest speaker

More information to come.

the 2026 Metropolis Canada Awards

The 28th Metropolis Canada Conference Steering Committee is pleased to announce the opening of the call for nominations for the Metropolis Canada Awards. These awards recognize and celebrate outstanding contributions to the field of immigration and settlement in Canada.

The National Metropolis awards intend to establish a benchmark of achievement and excellence, bringing pride and peer acknowledgement to the deserving recipients. There are three award categories to nominate candidates under:

• National Metropolis Service Provider Award (Non-profit)
• National Metropolis Researcher Award (Academic/Graduate Student)
• National Metropolis Policymaker Award (Former/Current Civil Servant)

The Metropolis Awards Subcommittee, consisting of members of the Conference Steering Committee, is responsible for selecting the Award recipients. A nomination for each of the three categories of the Metropolis Awards may be submitted by any persons working in the field of immigration and settlement in Canada and should include:

• A one-page statement explaining reasons for the nomination.
• A copy of the nominee's full curriculum vitae.
• And two letters of recommendation.

Awards will be presented at the Conference on March 13, 2026 at the venue of the Metropolis Canada conference - the Halifax convention center. Please submit your nomination to James Ondrick at james.ondrick@acs-aec.ca. Submissions must be received no later than January 16, 2026. Earlier submissions are appreciated.

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.  

Use this link to book a room the conference rate.

Please note that this special rate is available for bookings checking in as of March 9, 2026 and checking out no later than March 15, 2026.

The deadline to obtain the special conference rate is February 23, 2026. Limited rooms are available. Following February 23 the rate and/or availability of rooms is no longer guaranteed.

For further details about the hotel, visit The Sutton Place Hotels' website.

Cambridge Suites Hotel Halifax

1583 Brunswick St, Halifax, NS B3J 2G1

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

Use this link to book a room at the conference rate.

Please note that this special rate is available for bookings checking in as of March 9, 2026 and checking out no later than March 14, 2026.

The deadline to obtain the special conference rate is February 9, 2026. Limited rooms are available. Following February 9 the rate and/or availability of rooms is no longer guaranteed.

For further details about the hotel, visit the Cambridge Suites Hotel's website.

Discover Halifax Information

In anticipation of our conference, Discover Halifax has compiled some essential information and resources to help attendees prepare for their trip to Halifax.

Visit Discover Halifax’s page dedicated to the 28th Metropolis Canada Conference to learn more about things to do in and around the city, and to explore discounts and special offers available to conference participants at local businesses.

Flight Promotion Codes:

Air Canada

This a promotion code for the convention product. To book a flight with your promotion code, access aircanada.com and enter your promotion code in the Promotion Code Box.

To qualify for the Meeting and Conventions special fares a minimum of 10 delegates is required travelling from various origins to the same destination within Air Canada's extensive North American and International network. Customers will benefit from an instant online registration and enjoy a ten percent discount on eligible fares.

Applicable Rules

WestJet

No discount will apply to Ultra Basic or Business class bookings. To take advantage of this offer, you will need the discount code listed. Please visit www.westjet.com to make a booking online.

Applicable Rules

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.