Message from our CEO
Since the EOT $10 million capital gains tax exemption became permanent, we have seen something shift. More business owners are asking questions. More advisors are leaning in. The conversation about employee ownership is reaching people it has not reached before, and that is exactly what we have been working toward.
The 2026 Canadian Employee Ownership Conference is where that momentum comes together in person. It is your best opportunity to learn from experts, connect with employee-owned companies, and be part of a community that is building a more prosperous and equitable future.
This month, we are excited to share the first of our conference speaker announcements; including voices that will bring both economic rigour and real-world leadership to the room. We are continuing to finalize the agenda and programming to make this year’s gathering as valuable and memorable as possible, and we will keep sharing updates in the newsletter and on our website as things come together.
To those who have shared this newsletter, spread the word about the conference, and signed on as sponsors or speakers: thank you. This community is tight-knit and growing at the same time, and we do not take that for granted. The volunteers who have given their time and expertise to help us build resources and share accurate, useful information have made an enormous difference.
As the school year wraps up and summer begins, we know many of you are heading into well-earned time off. We hope this issue gives you everything you need before you go.
Warmly,
Justine Janssen
CEO (Interim), Employee Ownership Canada
In Case You Missed It
Keynote Speakers Announced: 2026 Canadian Employee Ownership Conference
We have been sitting on this news, and we are thrilled to finally share it: three headline speakers have been confirmed for the 2026 Canadian Employee Ownership Conference, October 20–22 at the Pinnacle Harbourfront Hotel in Vancouver, BC.
The Hon. Christy Clark: Day 2 Dinner Keynote (Sponsored by Bennett Jones)
We are proud to welcome the Hon. Christy Clark as our Day 2 dinner keynote speaker. Canada’s longest-serving female premier, Christy Clark spent more than 30 years in public service and is recognized as one of the country’s most dynamic political leaders. As Premier of British Columbia from 2011 to 2017, she oversaw six consecutive balanced budgets, the lowest unemployment rate in Canada, and landmark investments in childcare, Indigenous partnerships, and job creation. Today, she advises at Bennett Jones and speaks internationally on Canadian infrastructure, trade, natural resource development, and political leadership.
Her keynote will bring a big-picture perspective on what it takes to build an economy that works for everyone; a conversation that feels especially relevant now, as employee ownership moves from the margins to the mainstream.
Kevin Milligan: Economic Update
Economist Kevin Milligan will join us to frame the broader economic context for business leaders: with all the change of the last few years, where does Canada stand, and where are we going?
Kevin is Professor of Economics at the Vancouver School of Economics at the University of British Columbia, Scholar-in-Residence at the C.D. Howe Institute, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. He has served as Co-Editor of the Canadian Tax Journal since 2011 and was Special Advisor on Economic Recovery in the Privy Council Office of the Government of Canada in 2020–21. His research spans public and labour economics, with a deep focus on how the Canadian tax and transfer system shapes decisions and well-being.
Few people are better positioned to explain the current Canadian economy, and to answer questions about where employee ownership fits in.
Senator Tony Loffreda: Opening Remarks
We are delighted to welcome back Senator Tony Loffreda, one of employee ownership’s longest-standing champions in the Senate of Canada. Senator Loffreda represents the Shawinegan division of Quebec and was appointed to the Senate in 2019. A former Royal Bank of Canada executive and Certified Public Accountant, he has been a consistent and vocal advocate for Employee Ownership Trusts, calling for the capital gains tax exemption as far back as 2021 and writing publicly about its potential to transform Canadian business succession.
Senator Loffreda will join us again this year to frame the conference and celebrate the momentum behind employee ownership in Canada, including the landmark policy win that defined 2026.
The full agenda and speaker lineup are coming soon. Register now at employee-ownership.ca/conference.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
Thank You: May Webinar Recap
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our May webinar, What’s Your Business Worth? Valuation Essentials for Employee Ownership Transactions. A special thank you to our speakers, Candace Hartwell of VEER Business Advisors and Melanie E. Russell of Kalex Partners, for sharing their expertise so generously and for staying to answer questions live. With over 100 registrants, this was our most popular webinar to date.
If you missed it, the recording is now available on YouTube and our Resource Library.
Coming Up:
Ask the Experts: Experienced Tax Lawyer & Plan Designer Answer Your EOT Questions
JUNE 24, 2026 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM EDT
Thinking about selling your business to an Employee Ownership Trust and have lots of questions? This is your opportunity to get straight answers from two people who work on these transactions every day.
This is not a formal presentation. It is an open-floor Q&A session designed around the questions you actually have: about succession planning, tax implications, what happens to your employees, what to expect at each step, and anything else on your mind.
Featuring:
- St. John McCloskey, Tax Lawyer at Clark Wilson LLP, specializing in EOTs and business succession
- Jennifer Williams, Founder of Ownership Design Group (formerly Firefly Insights), supporting clients through EOT transactions from start to finish
Questions are collected in advance until Friday June 19, and kept confidential. We will answer the most commonly submitted questions first, then open the floor for live questions in the final 15 minutes.
2026 Canadian Employee Ownership Conference
OCTOBER 20-22 | Pinnacle Harbourfront Hotel, Vancouver, BC
The conference is three and a half months away and momentum is building. Join us in Vancouver for two and a half days of practical sessions, real conversation, and genuine connection with the people driving the employee ownership movement in Canada.
We are grateful to the sponsors making this year’s gathering possible.
Platinum Sponsors: BMO, Bennett Jones, Dale & Lessman LLP
Gold Sponsors: Rewrite Capital Advisors, Tallgrass Employee Owner Equity Fund, Spartan Controls, Centra Windows & Install Pros, Felesky Flynn LLP
Early bird pricing is in effect until August 14.
FEATURED RESOURCES
With the EOT $10 million capital gains tax exemption now permanent, interest in employee ownership trusts is growing; and we are welcoming new members to the community every week. Whether you are new to EOTs or well into your journey, these resources are designed to help you and anyone in your network move from curiosity to confidence.
We have recently added the following to our Resource Library:
Valuation Essentials for Employee Ownership Transactions
A practical guide to fair market value, quality of earnings, deal structure, and financing for EOT and ESOP transactions.
Employee Ownership 101: A Guide for Business Owners
An accessible overview of the four primary employee ownership models, with Canadian examples and a quick-start guide to choosing the right path.
Employee Ownership Types: Comparison Chart
A side-by-side comparison of EOTs, ESOPs, Phantom Equity, Mutual Fund Trusts, and Worker Co-ops, covering ownership structure, employee investment, governance, and Canadian tax considerations.
Requirements for the EOT Capital Gains Tax Incentive
A clear summary of the owner, business, and eligibility requirements for the $10M capital gains tax exemption, including key considerations.
EOT Tax Incentive Eligibility Flowchart
A quick visual tool to help business owners determine whether they may qualify for the $10M EOT capital gains tax incentive, before engaging an advisor.
Also worth sharing: our latest blog post, EOTs Are Just the Beginning: A Guide to All the Ways Canadian Businesses Can Be Employee-Owned. A great resource for anyone in your network who is just starting to explore employee ownership.
EOC Community Voices
“When there’s going to be a large turnover of businesses, and when the possibility exists that some of them might wind up the company rather than try to find a market [for it] or sell it, selling to employees could be an attractive option.”
— Brian Ernewein, Senior Advisor, National Tax, KPMG LLP
Brian made these remarks while discussing the value of Employee Ownership Trusts as a succession solution for Canadian business owners. Read the full article at the Globe and Mail (subscriber access).
Get Involved
Become an EOC Member
Membership gives you access to tools, insights, and a growing national network. A 3-month free trial is available.
Join the EO Ambassador and Volunteer Network
We often need volunteers and will reach out when opportunities arise. If you would like to be considered for future volunteer roles, add your name to our volunteer list below. We are grateful to those who have already expressed interest in supporting employee ownership across Canada.
