EMILI is pleased to announce the first in a lineup of engaging sessions at Agriculture Enlightened, Canada’s Agtech Conference, happening November 5, 2026. Agriculture Enlightened connects bold ideas with real-world impact to drive agriculture innovation, and we are excited to bring you leading voices in the industry on the innovation, issues, and ideas that are helping to grow Canada’s position as a global leader in agtech.
Competing on the Global Stage: Canada’s Ag Advantage
This session will bring Canada’s Former Ambassador to the United States and Past Premier of Manitoba Mr. Gary Doer, and President and CEO of the Business Council of Manitoba Mr. Bram Strain to the Agriculture Enlightened stage for a conversation about Canada’s competitive edge in a rapidly changing global marketplace. Drawing on their experience in politics, international diplomacy, and Canada-U.S. relations, Doer and Strain will explore what it takes for Canadian agriculture to compete and succeed on the global stage.
Bramwell (Bram) Strain is the president and CEO of the Business Council of Manitoba. Strain is a Manitoban, raised in Elm Creek and is a graduate of Brandon University. Prior to joining the Business Council, he worked at all three levels of government in senior roles.
Strain is a strategic leader who uses a relationship-based leadership style that focuses on results and outcomes beneficial to stakeholders. He has worked extensively with the private sector in the development of economic and infrastructure projects leading to growth and community enhancement. On behalf of the Business Council, he is focused on economic growth for the province of Manitoba by creating the conditions for a competitive business environment for industry to thrive.
Gary Doer is the corporate director of Great-West Lifeco, and was formerly a senior business advisor at Dentons Canada LLP. He previously served as Canada’s Ambassador to the United States. Mr. Doer was the Premier of Manitoba from 1999 to 2009 and served in a number of roles in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1986 to 2009. In 2005, as Premier, he was named by Business Week magazine as one of the top 20 international leaders on climate change. Mr. Doer is a director of Canada Life and Empower, Power Corporation, Power Financial, IGM Financial, IG Wealth Management and Mackenzie Inc.
Mr. Doer previously served as a director of Putnam Investments and Air Canada. He is a member of the Canadian American Business Council Advisory Board and a director of The Climate Group, Inc. In 2017, Mr. Doer joined the Trilateral Commission as a member of the North American Group. He is a volunteer co-chair of the Wilson Center’s Canada Institute, a non-partisan public policy forum focused on Canada-U.S. relations. Mr. Doer received a Distinguished Diplomatic Service Award from the World Affairs Council in 2011 and was inducted into the Order of Manitoba in 2010. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Manitoba in 2011 and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Winnipeg in 2010. Mr. Doer is a trustee of the Desmarais Family Residuary Trust.
Since 2020, Agriculture Enlightened has brought together a diverse audience including more than 1,450 producers, agri-food and technology experts, industry leaders, decision-makers, researchers, and students from across North America and the globe. Our audience has consistently praised the depth of expertise our speakers bring to the conference, the variety of subject matter, and the many opportunities throughout the day to network. In 2026, we look forward to building on the success of our past events. Purchase your early bird tickets today.