Join us for the 18th National Citizenship and Immigration Conference (NCIC) in Winnipeg, Manitoba!
The NCIC will be held at the RBC Centre that is located on Treaty One Territory, the home and traditional lands of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), Ininew (Cree), and Dakota peoples, and in the National Homeland of the Red River Metis. It is acknowledged that clean drinking water comes from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, in Treaty Three Territory
Winnipeg has served as Canada's immigration gateway to the West and a landing point for many as they have begun their journey in Canada. Inspired by this rich and significant immigration backdrop, NCIC 2023 will bring inclusion, diversity, and innovation as we explore what is taking place in the Canadian immigration world.
This year's Gala will be held at the stunning Canadian Museum of Human Rights, where the struggle for many immigrants have been chronicled. With this in mind, we will chronicle our journey together, as we dissect the challenges ahead and help to cultivate and improve paths for all. Join us as we move forward on this immigration path and be part of something great!
Next Gen: Immigration, Technology and, Representation
Previous Keynotes
The Honourable Sean Fraser
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

The Honourable Sean Fraser
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and CitizenshipThe Honourable Sean Fraser was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Central Nova in 2015. Minister Fraser previously served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and to the Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance from 2019 to 2021, and as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change from 2018 to 2019. In 2021, he also served concurrently as Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister. Before entering politics, Minister Fraser had a successful legal career with one of Canada’s top-ranked law firms, where he practised commercial litigation and international dispute resolution. He is a long-time volunteer, having served as the Vice-President of a local branch of the United Nations Association in Canada, acted as a Research Fellow with the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law, and provided pro bono legal services to the local BGC Club and vulnerable community members. Minister Fraser holds a law degree from Dalhousie University, a Master’s degree in Public International Law from Leiden University in the Netherlands, and a Bachelor of Science from St. Francis Xavier University. Minister Fraser grew up in Pictou County, and has family throughout the Town and County of Antigonish. He enjoys spending time in Central Nova with his wife, Sarah, and their children, Molly and Jack.
Richard Wex
Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

Richard Wex
Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Immigration and Refugee Board of CanadaMr. Wex was appointed Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada in July, 2018. From 2015-2018, Mr. Wex was the Associate Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Prior to this appointment, he served as Vice-President of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) responsible for policy and program development. From 2007 to 2013, Mr. Wex served as Assistant Deputy Minister of the Law Enforcement and Policing Branch at Public Safety Canada, where he provided strategic leadership and policy advice to the Minister of Public Safety. Prior to joining Public Safety Canada, Mr. Wex held a number of executive positions with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Department of Justice. He began his public service career with the Department of Justice, practicing in the areas of Public and Aboriginal law, and providing the full range of advisory, negotiation and litigation services. Mr. Wex has a Bachelor of Laws degree (L.L.B.) from Queen's University, and is a member of the Law Society of Ontario. He is a graduate of the Public Service Advanced Leadership Program, and the Senior Managers in Government Program from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He is a recipient of both the Public Service Award of Excellence as well as the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his contributions to Canada.
The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (NCIC 2020)

The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (NCIC 2020)
Mayor Naheed Nenshi
Calgary Mayor (NCIC 2019)

Mayor Naheed Nenshi
Calgary Mayor (NCIC 2019)
Naheed Nenshi, A’paistootsiipsii, was sworn in as Calgary's 36th mayor on October 25, 2010 and was re-elected in 2013 and 2017.
Prior to being elected, Mayor Nenshi was with McKinsey and Company, later forming his own business to help public, private and non-profit organizations grow. He designed policy for the Government of Alberta, helped create a Canadian strategy for The Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy, and worked with the United Nations to determine how business can help the poorest people on the planet. He then entered academia, where he was Canada's first tenured professor in the field of nonprofit management, at Mount Royal University's Bissett School of Business.
For his work, Mayor Nenshi was named a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, was awarded the President’s Award from the Canadian Institute of Planners, and received the Humanitarian Award from the Canadian Psychological Association for his contributions to community mental health. In 2013, after his stewardship of the community during devastating flooding, Maclean’s magazine called him the second-most influential person in Canada, after the Prime Minister. He was also awarded the 2014 World Mayor Prize by the UK-based City Mayor’s Foundation as the best mayor in the world.
In 2014, he was also honoured by Elder Pete Standing Alone with the Blackfoot name A’paistootsiipsii, which means "Clan Leader" or "He who moves camp and the others follow". In 2016, Elder Bruce Starlight of the Tsuu T'ina First Nation honoured him with the name Iitiya: "Always Ready".
Mayor Nenshi holds a Bachelor of Commerce (with distinction) from the University of Calgary, where he was President of the Students' Union, and a Master in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where he studied as a Kennedy Fellow.
Jean-Nicolas Beuze
UNHCR Representative Canada (NCIC 2017)

Jean-Nicolas Beuze
UNHCR Representative Canada (NCIC 2017)Jean-Nicolas Beuze worked for more than 20 years with the United Nations in the areas of Human Rights (OHCHR), Peacekeeping (DPKO) and UNICEF at Headquarters and in the field (Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Afghanistan and the Middle-East and North Africa region) before joining UNHCR in Lebanon as Deputy Representative for Protection and Inter-Agency Coordination. Prior to joining UNHCR, he was the UNICEF Child Protection Advisor for the MENA region (2010-13) working on emergency responses in Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, and strengthening public child protection and education systems in the region. He was previously appointed as the Deputy Director of the Human Rights Unit of UN Peace-Keeping/DPKO mission in Afghanistan/UNAMA (2008-10) focusing on women’s rights, elections, poverty and the protection of civilians. He previously worked as a Research Director in a human rights think-tank (International Council on Human Rights Policy) on issues of peace agreements, transitional justice, national human rights institutions and the reform of the UN human rights system. Jean-Nicolas Beuze holds a LL.M in international human rights law from Essex University, UK, and a Master in international relations from the Graduate Institute of International Relations, Geneva/Switzerland.
Janet Dench
Executive Director for Canadian Council of Refugees (NCIC 2016)

Janet Dench
Executive Director for Canadian Council of Refugees (NCIC 2016)
2016 AWARD RECIPIENT: JANET DENCH - CANADIAN COUNCIL FOR REFUGEES
The Canadian Council for Refugees is a national non-profit umbrella organization committed to the rights and protection of refugees and other vulnerable migrants in Canada and around the world, and to the settlement of refugees and immigrants in Canada. Its membership is made up of organizations involved in the settlement, sponsorship, and protection of refugees and immigrants. The CCR serves the networking, information-exchange, and advocacy needs of its membership.
Visit the CCR website for more information.
Mario Dion
Chairperson of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (NCIC 2015)

Mario Dion
Chairperson of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (NCIC 2015)A Montréal native, Mr. Dion, now a retired lawyer, obtained a law degree from the University of Ottawa in 1979. Mr. Dion began his legal career in 1980 as a legal advisor at the then-Ministry of the Solicitor General. In 1988, he became the Assistant Deputy Minister of Communications, Evaluation and Research at Corrections Canada. From Corrections Canada, Mr. Dion moved to the Department of Justice where he became the Assistant Deputy Minister of Corporate Services in 1992. In 1995 he was appointed Associate Deputy Minister of Justice. From 1996 to 1997 he served as Deputy Clerk and Counsel at the Privy Council Office, responsible for Legislative House Planning and Machinery of Government and then returned to the Department of Justice as Associate Deputy Minister. In 2003, Mr. Dion was appointed Deputy Minister of Indian Residential Schools Resolution of Canada, where he led efforts to bring closure to 16,000 pending litigation files and, ultimately, the historic 2006 agreement with former residential school students. Mr. Dion also served as Chairperson of the National Parole Board from 2006-2009 and most recently as Commissioner of Public Sector Integrity from 2011-2014. In 2015, Mr. Dion was appointed as Chairperson of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
Travel Discounts




Stay at the Delta, Winnipeg (Hotel for rooms only)
Located in the heart of downtown Winnipeg, Delta Hotels Winnipeg provides nothing short of streamlined, comfortable accommodations. Attached to the RBC Convention Centre, moments away from Canada Life Centre, and the University of Winnipeg, our hotel makes it easy to access the most popular locations in downtown Winnipeg. Spend your free time shopping at Polo Park, or feed your love of the arts at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Wake up and visit our coffee house, Urban Bean, for a fluffy pastry and signature Starbucks® drink. Then, Blaze Restaurant & Lounge serves hearty Canadian meals and cocktails. When you are ready for a workout, our hotel offers cardio equipment and weights in the 24-hr fitness center.
End your day of excitement in our rooms and suites boasting pillowtop beds, free high-speed Wi-Fi, wall-mounted TVs (chrome cast), large ergonomic work desks and breathtaking views of downtown Winnipeg. Delta Hotels Winnipeg will exceed your expectations and open the door to what Canada has in store for you.
Venue
RBC Convention Centre – Ground floor North Building
375 York Ave,
Winnipeg, MB R3C 3J3
The RBC Convention Centre is a uniquely designed five-level facility with two levels of underground climate controlled parking and three levels of over 260,000 sq. ft. of meeting and trade show space. We combine state-of-the-art meeting technology with a wide array of distinct meeting rooms to offer meeting planners unparalleled service and flexibility. The first level of the North Building provides over 21,000 sq. ft. of meeting room space plus a number of specialty rooms including a teleconference / video conferencing centre. The second floor of our North Building provides over 26,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.
Also located on this floor is the Centre Place Café, Hair Salon and Encore Canada (previously Freeman Audio Visual). Our third floor level features our primary exhibit hall of 131,000 sq. ft. of contiguous space with full services provided via floor ports. Our South Building features a main floor 24,000 sq. ft. York Ballroom that is divisible by four; additional 22,400 sq. ft. of pre-function, lobby and registration space; underground parking with 150 stalls; a 40,000 sq. ft. outdoor street level plaza with a weather protected gathering place; as well as the stunning City View Room located in the middle of the 131,000 sq. ft. third floor exhibition hall. Whether your event is a full-scale conference, trade show, reception or a dinner for 9 to 9,000 guests, we are here to accommodate you!
Gala Venue
Museum of Human Rights
85 Israel Asper Way,
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0L5
(Wed, June 7)
In 2000, Israel Asper began to imagine a world‐class human rights centre for Canada. A few short years later, in April 2003, plans for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights were announced by Asper and his supporters. Winnipeg, situated near the longitudinal centre of Canada and the heart of the continent, would play home to the new Museum. The location at The Forks, where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers meet, also serves a deeper significance. For thousands of years, Indigenous people followed its waterways for peacemaking, dialogue and trade. Today this ancestral land stands as a National Historic Site and the home to the Museum. Six months after the announcement of the Museum, Asper passed away. But his family and the Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights carried on his mission to establish an iconic site where human rights education and discussion could take place.
https://humanrights.ca/
Early Bird Admission

Online (Sep 1 - Dec 31)


Member
$560


Non-Member
$890


Gold
$400


In- person (Sep 1 - Dec 31)


Member
$780


Non-Member
$1,200


Gold
$725

Regular Admission

Online After Dec 31


Member
$700


Non-Member
$890


Gold
$400


In-Person After Dec 31


Member
$975


Non-Member
$1200


Gold
$725

Gala

In-Person
Member's Guest fee $50 (kids free, but they have to be registered)


Member
$95


Non-Member
$95


Gold
$95
