December 4, 2025
12:00 - 1:00 PM ET
Description
Canada is at an important moment in our history. We’re seeing Local, National, and international pressures having significant impacts on communities across Canada. Meanwhile, the Government of Canada is grappling with challenges that are making life less affordable, driving deeper inequality, and undermining the social programs we value.
The Government of Canada's Budget 2025 was tabled on November 4th, 2025, outlining a transformative plan to strengthen communities, grow the economy, and make life more affordable for Canadians. While it does build on the government’s existing priorities, it also introduces new measures and investments in response to the current social and economic pressures communities are facing. The decisions within this budget have implications for communities, collaboratives, and organizations working to improve quality of life at the local level.
Join us for a timely conversation featuring speakers with deep experience working on federal budgets and community issues, along with community leaders and organizations sharing what these changes could mean on the ground. Together, we’ll explore how Budget 2025 may shape the future of the community sector and share insights to help organizations respond to and shape the Government’s efforts.
This webinar is brought to you in partnership with the Institute for Collaborative Innovation, Social Innovation Canada, the Global Advantage Consulting Group and the Tamarack Institute.
Speakers
David Watters. Founder & President. Institute for Collaborative Innovation
David Watters worked for 30 years in the Canadian Federal Public Service in a variety of Economic Ministries, including a dozen years as an Assistant Deputy Minister in Industry Canada, Treasury Board Canada, and Finance Canada, where he was responsible for overseeing Canada's Economic Development and Corporate Finance policies, and shaping economic and innovation investment in federal budgets.
David founded the Institute for Collaborative Innovation in 2008 and is its current President. David holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Queen's University, as well as a Law degree in corporate, commercial, and tax law from Queen's University Law School. He was also an adjunct Professor for seven years at the Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa, teaching International Negotiation to MBA students.
Shannon Storey. President & COO, Global Advantage Consulting Group
Shannon Storey (formerly Wilson) is the President & COO of Global Advantage Consulting Group and has been a driving force within the organization since May 2017. Over the past eight years, she has played a central role in growing the company’s team, expanding its portfolio, and strengthening its reputation as a leader in strategic research and analysis.
In her role, Shannon oversees day-to-day operations, leads successful project delivery, and drives the company’s strategic direction. She brings a systems-thinking approach to her work, ensuring that every project delivers high-impact, evidence-based insights for clients across government, academia, industry, and non-profit sectors.
Before joining Global Advantage, Shannon gained valuable experience in the financial and software sectors. She is a graduate of Algonquin College, where she studied technology and design.
Nicole Norris (She/They), MDes., PhD(c). Director, Social Innovation – Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Georgian College
Nicole Norris is the Director of Social Innovation at Georgian College—Canada’s first and only Ashoka U Changemaker College. She played a pivotal role in achieving this designation and is one of three Ashoka U Changemaker Campus Leads. A “pracademic” with experience across industry, business, and academic sectors, Nicole is guided by the belief that systems can be transformed toward collective healing, equity, and reconnection with nature.
She holds a Master of Design in Strategic Foresight and Innovation from OCAD University and is completing her PhD in Informatics at Halmstad University in Sweden.
Nicole’s recent work includes co-authoring a national Discussion Paper outlining seven calls to action that position Canadian colleges as vital intermediaries in community-driven innovation, social finance experimentation, and regenerative economic development. Under her leadership, Georgian’s Social Innovation department is piloting a unique rural applied social innovation ecosystem model through The Future of Belonging Project, built in collaboration with the YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka (www.futureofbelonging.ca).
