To start off the year, Darrell Bricker was chosen by The Empire Club, Canada’s ‘Go-To Forum for Conversations that Matter’ to keynote their 2026 Season with ‘The big stories of 2026 that will shape Canada’. He presented an insightful briefing on the issues most important to Canadians in 2026, highlighting how public sentiment is beginning to evolve. Using the latest Ipsos research, he outlined the key divisions and emerging trends shaping the year ahead.
His release, Breaking Point, became an instant bestseller this fall, driving the conversation for 2026 strategies for Canadian organizations.
Insights Grounded in Data
Canada’s future won’t be defined by the trends of the past – it will be shaped by the leaders who recognize what’s coming next and act accordingly.
Canada is at a crossroads. The demographic forces that powered decades of growth are shifting, and organizations across the country face a choice: adapt to the emerging reality or risk being left behind.
Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs and one of Canada’s leading voices on demography and public opinion, brings critical clarity to these transformations. Drawing on exclusive data and decades of research into societal trends, Darrell helps organizations understand the forces reshaping Canada’s workforce, markets, and future.
The Old Playbook No Longer Applies
For generations, Canadian organizations operated under a set of reliable assumptions about growth, consumer behavior, and market dynamics. Those assumptions no longer apply.
Darrell’s work reveals that Canada is entering a fundamentally different era – one defined by aging populations, declining birth rates, and rapid urbanization. The old playbook won’t work in this new landscape. Organizations that recognize these shifts early and realign their strategies around emerging demographic realities will secure competitive advantage.
Three Forces Redefining Canada’s Economy
Darrell identifies three interconnected demographic trends that are reshaping the country:
Urbanization Canada’s population is concentrating in major urban centers, particularly in suburban communities surrounding cities. This shift is changing where opportunity exists and how organizations should think about market reach.
Declining Fertility Canada’s birth rate has dropped below replacement levels, fundamentally altering workforce availability, consumer demand, and long-term economic projections.
Population Aging Seniors represent the fastest-growing demographic segment in Canada – and increasingly, they hold the nation’s purchasing power. Organizations that overlook this reality are missing the most significant market opportunity of the next decade.
The Silver Economy: Where Real Power Lies
One of Darrell’s most compelling insights challenges conventional wisdom about consumer markets. While many businesses still focus on younger demographics, the real spending power in Canada now resides with older adults.
Consider the automotive industry: seniors aren’t shopping for high-performance vehicles. They prioritize comfort, reliability, and service. Companies that recognize and respond to these preferences position themselves to capture a massive, underserved market.
This pattern extends across sectors. From housing to healthcare to financial services, organizations that understand the priorities and preferences of Canada’s aging population will lead their industries.
Canada Isn’t Broken – It’s Transforming
Despite concerns about economic uncertainty and social division, Darrell maintains an informed optimism: Canada has faced transformative moments before and adapted successfully. The country isn’t failing – it’s evolving.
The question is whether today’s leaders will recognize the change and respond strategically. Those who anticipate demographic shifts rather than react to them will shape Canada’s next chapter of prosperity.
Want to learn more about Darrell for your event?
What sets Darrell apart is his access to real-time data from Ipsos, one of the world’s leading research firms. His presentations aren’t based on speculation or trends – they’re anchored in hard evidence about what Canadians think, how they behave, and where society is headed.
Whether addressing corporate boards, government policymakers, or industry leaders, Darrell delivers insights that are immediately actionable. His expertise spans:
Economic outlook and political economy
Consumer behavior and market trends
Workforce transformation
Public opinion and social change
Strategic foresight and scenario planning
Ideal Speaking Opportunities
Darrell is particularly effective for:
Policy forums where government and industry leaders discuss Canada’s future
Industry summits focused on market strategy and competitive positioning
Annual general meetings requiring economic context and forward-looking insights
Board meetings and investor briefings that benefit from data-driven market intelligence
Trade symposiums and export councils navigating international and domestic trends
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More About Darrell Bricker
Darrell Bricker is a globally recognized expert in demography, public opinion, politics, and social trends — one of the most sought-after speakers for business, government, and organizational audiences.
As CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs, a global public opinion research firm, Darrell draws on exclusive data about societal shifts, consumer trends, and political landscapes, providing timely, relevant insights into the shifts redefining economies, labor markets, and consumer preferences across Canada and around the world.
