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Virtual
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm (ET)
Bilingual, with interpretation in both official languages
Online
1.5 hours
All public servants at all levels
As the digital landscape fundamentally alters how information is shared and consumed, understanding the evolving relationship between government and the public has never been more critical.
The 2026 Manion Lecture welcomes Chantal Hébert, one of the most distinguished voices in Canadian political journalism, to deliver this year's keynote address on the shifting dynamics of government discourse. A journalist and columnist since 1975, Mme Hébert has reported extensively from Parliament Hill for Radio-Canada, Le Devoir, La Presse, and the Toronto Star. Through her work in radio, television and print, she has earned national recognition as one of Canada’s most respected and authoritative political analysts.
Mme Hébert’s discussion will examine how traditional communications between government and citizens operated through structured and predictable channels for decades, and how that framework has shifted dramatically today. Social media now functions as the dominant public sphere, enabling political discourse that is immediate, highly emotional, fragmented, and which unfolds continuously across digital and media environments. As a result, predictability has been replaced with open, fast-moving messaging which is further amplified by powerful, proprietary and ever-changing algorithms.
Following Mme Hébert’s address, a panel of distinguished guests will join her to discuss the diverse forces that are shaping today's political conversations between government and the people it serves. Participants will gain valuable insight into the evolution of political discourse in Canada and what it may mean for the next chapter of public dialogue.
About the Manion Lecture
The Manion Lecture is the Canada School of Public Service's flagship event and an annual tradition that spans more than three decades. This premier event serves as a thought-provoking forum for addressing pressing public policy and public management issues that affect the professional roles and responsibilities of public servants at all levels.
Each year, the Manion Lecture features a keynote speaker who is entrusted with addressing a pivotal topic or issue that resonates in the federal public service.
Learn more about the Manion Lecture and past lectures.
