The 9th Metropolis Identities Summit

Niagara Falls 2026

The 9Th MEtropolis IDentities Conference

October 22 and 23, 2026
Sheraton Fallsview Hotel
Niagara Falls, Ontario

Restoring Trust, Strengthening Relationships: Identity, Diversity, and Social Harmony in Canada

Canada’s identity is at a moment of uncertainty as converging challenges test long-held narratives and raise new questions about unity, trust, and harmony. Debates around separation in Quebec and Alberta, changing views on immigration, and reduced migration targets coexist with ongoing conversations about Indigenous identity affirmation and reconciliation, and discussions about the enduring role of francophone communities and institutions, reminding us that Canada’s identity is not singular but evolving and often contested.

In an international context marked by heightened geopolitical tensions and growing concerns about prejudice and hate, and language which struggles to keep up with the complexity of current realities, there is a growing need for vigilance, effective policy responses and renewed efforts to restore trust and strengthen relationships across communities. This summit will bring together scholars, policymakers, community leaders, journalists, educators, and practitioners to reflect on these developments and to explore how Canada can restore trust, strengthen relationships, and sustain social harmony in an era of demographic change, political tension, and evolving identity discourse.