The Commission for the Second Century of Canada–U.S. Relations is a new initiative shaping the next era of one of the world’s most consequential partnerships. Marking 100 years of formal diplomatic ties, the Second Century Commission brings together leading institutions and thinkers to look beyond current bilateral tensions and strategize for the long-term collaboration between these two countries.
Under the leadership of co-chairs Lisa Raitt and Jane Harman, the binational Commission will bring together more than a dozen prominent Canadians and Americans to develop a forward-looking agenda for relations between the two countries. The Commission’s work will be supported by three organizations: McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI).
The Second Century Commission will examine medium- to long-term opportunities for cooperation across key strategic areas including business and trade, defense and security, energy and critical minerals, technology and education. It will foster binational dialogue, generate innovative policy ideas and build networks of leaders and experts committed to deeper bilateral cooperation.
Former United States Representative
Jane Harman served nine terms in Congress as the U.S. representative for California’s 36th congressional district where she was ranking member of the Intelligence Committee after 9/11. She left the House in 2011 to become the first woman president and CEO of the Wilson Center, which housed a vibrant Canada Institute. She is the author of Insanity Defense: Why Our Failure to Confront Hard National Security Problems Makes Us Less Safe.
Former Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister
The Honourable Lisa Raitt is vice-chair, office of the CEO at CIBC, focusing on senior client coverage and business development in the energy, infrastructure and industrial sectors. She was previously minister of natural resources and minister of transport and the deputy leader of the Official Opposition and the Conservative Party.
CEO, Azrieli Foundation
André Beaulieu is the CEO of the Azrieli Foundation and chair of the board of the Public Policy Forum.
Strategic Foresight Advisor
Sinead Bovell is an expert contributor to the UN Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence and the CEO of WAYE (Weekly Advice for Young Entrepreneurs).
Former President, General Motors North America
Steve Carlisle is a member of the board of directors of AutoCanada and an advisor to People Tech Group Inc. and the Toronto Region Board of Trade.
President, Johns Hopkins University
Ron Daniels is the 14th president of Johns Hopkins University, a position he has held since 2009. He previously served as provost at the University of Pennsylvania and dean and James M. Tory Professor of Law at the University of Toronto.
Former President and CEO, Canadian Council for Indigenous Business
JP Gladu is the principal of Mokwateh. He serves as a director of Suncor and Superior Plus and has been appointed to the Indigenous Advisory Council of the Major Projects Office.
Former U.S. Secretary of Energy
Jennifer Granholm is a senior counselor at DGA Group and CEO of Granholm Energy LLC.
Former CEO, Canadian American Business Council
Scotty Greenwood is the founding partner of Ottawa Street Strategy and a senior fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto.
Former Governor of Washington State
Chris Gregoire is the CEO of Challenge Seattle and chair of the cross-border Cascadia Innovation Corridor. She served as Washington’s 22nd governor from 2005 to 2013 and prior to that as Washington’s first and only female attorney general.
Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce
Carlos M. Gutierrez is a global business leader, former U.S. secretary of commerce and former chairman and CEO of Kellogg Company.
Corporate Director of the Investment Management Corporation of Ontario
Ken Hartwick is currently chair of the board of the Independent Electricity System Operator of Canada and serves on the boards of several publicly traded companies. He is the former president and CEO of Ontario Power Generation.
Former Senior U.S. Cybersecurity Official
Melissa Hathaway is the president of Hathaway Global Strategies LLC and a member of the Centre for International Governance Innovation’s board of directors.
President and CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Candace Laing has been the president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce since September 2024.
Former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada
John Manley is the chair of Jefferies Securities, Inc., and chair of the board of directors of TELUS Corporation.
Former Premier of Alberta
Rachel Notley is associate counsel at Southern Law LLP and was appointed to the Prime Minister’s Council on Canada–U.S. Relations in 2025.
Former National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada
Vincent Rigby is the Slater Family Professor of Practice at the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University.
Former Commander, NORAD and USNORTHCOM
Glen D. VanHerck is the principal at Glen VanHerck Advisors, LLC. He serves as a board director and strategic advisor to multiple companies spanning various industry sectors.
Director, Center for U.S.-Canada Studies, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
Distinguished James McGill Professor in Global Governance and Security and Director of the Max Bell School of Public Policy, McGill University
President, Centre for International Governance Innovation
Four in-person Commission meetings will take place in Ottawa, Baltimore, Montreal and Washington in 2026 and 2027. The Commission will produce a final report with policy recommendations by the end of 2027.
Eighteen commissioners will convene in Baltimore on October 20 to begin shaping the next century of Canada–U.S. relations
Lisa Raitt and Jane Harmon will co-chair the Second Century Commission to explore how the two countries can strengthen cooperation in areas critical to economic resilience and national security
For additional information or inquiries, please contact info@secondcenturycommission.org
