AMC is announcing the addition of a new panel session in its lineup for UNITE: AMC’s 2026 Annual Convention and Trade Show. Marci Surkes, Chief Strategy Officer and Managing Director, Compass Rose Group, will facilitate a panel presentation “Trade Talks: CUSMA, Competitiveness, and Manufacturing Canada’s Future”.

This high-level conversation will examine Canada–U.S. relations, the future of CUSMA, market access, and the competitive pressures shaping Canada’s agricultural manufacturing sector.

Bringing together voices directly connected to Canada’s evolving trade and economic strategy, this panel will offer attendees valuable insight into one of the most important issues facing the industry today.

Facilitator:

• Marci Surkes, Chief Strategy Officer and Managing Director, Compass Rose Group

Panellists:

• The Honourable Ralph Goodale
• Matthew Smith, Chief Agriculture Negotiator, Agriculture and Agri Food Canada

Register for UNITE: AMC’s 2026 Annual Convention and Trade Show to attend their insightful presentation.

About the Facilitator

Marci Surkes is a 15-year political veteran who has served in the most senior roles as an advisor and public policy leader. She brings deep experience and a national lens to complicated files spanning the entirety of federal jurisdiction.

Most recently, as executive director of policy and cabinet affairs in the Prime Minister’s Office from 2019-2022, Marci led a team that provided strategic advice to the Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, where she collaborated closely with officials to implement the government’s mandate. Prior to serving in the Prime Minister’s Office, Marci spent four years as the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Public Safety.

Marci advises multinational corporations, Canadian businesses and non-profits across a range of economic and social issues, often targeted at the C-suite level. Her ability to distill complex subject matters and offer succinct advice has led her to be a sought-after political commentator.

Marci is a recipient of the King Charles III’s Coronation Medal for her dedication to public service.

About the Panellists

Raised on a family farm near Wilcox, Saskatchewan, Mr. Goodale received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Regina in 1971, and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1972. He has practical experience in business, law, agriculture and broadcasting, as well as federal and provincial politics.

Ralph Goodale was first elected to the Parliament of Canada in 1974 at the age of 24, representing Saskatchewan’s sprawling rural riding of Assiniboia. In the 1980s, he served as leader of the provincial Liberal Party, and was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan in 1986.

Mr. Goodale returned to the House of Commons in 1993 as the Member of Parliament for Wascana, and was subsequently re-elected seven consecutive times, becoming Regina’s longest-serving MP. A member of the federal Cabinet under three Prime Ministers, he was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food (1993-1997), Minister of Natural Resources (1997-2002), Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (2002), Minister of Public Works and Government Services (2002-2003), Minister of Finance (2003-2006), and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (2015-2019).

In March 2020, Mr. Goodale became a special advisor to the Prime Minister for Canada’s response to Iran’s shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752, which claimed the lives of 55 Canadian citizens, 30 permanent residents of Canada and dozens of others with Canadian links. This role is on-going in pursuit of transparency, accountability and justice for the families of the victims.

Ralph Goodale assumed his responsibilities as High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in April 2021.

On April 21, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the appointment of Goodale to a new Advisory Committee on Canada-US Economic Relations.

Matthew Smith has held a range of trade policy and negotiations roles over the past 20 years at Global Affairs Canada and at Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC), working on a number of trade agreements including Canada’s agreement with the United States and Mexico. He has represented Canada at meetings of the World Trade Organization and the World Intellectual Property Organization. In his present role Matthew leads AAFC’s trade negotiations team. Matthew holds a Master’s degree in political science from the University of Toronto.