The Early Years: Career Development for Young Children – A Guide for Educators
July 13, 2026
Canada’s premier bilingual career development conference, Cannexus27, is now open for registration with Super Saver rates available until September 9. The conference will take place from January 25-27, 2027, both virtually and in-person at the Rogers Centre in Ottawa.
This years theme, Navigating Uncertainty, Creating Possibility, reflects the challenges and opportunities shaping career development across Canada today. Economic volatility, AI disruption and skills mismatches are transforming how people navigate learning, work and career transitions – and career development professionals, educators and workforce leaders offer a vital source of direction and action.
Super Saver rates for the virtual conference start at $350 and in-person rates start at $644. Members of supporting organizations receive 20% off either virtual or in-person registration. The 20% discount is also available for groups of 5 or more from the same organization. Students can take advantage of discounted pricing. All delegates get access to the virtual recordings after the conference for three months.
This year’s optional pre-conference workshop in Ottawa, “Beyond the Algorithm: Strengthening Career Counselling Practice When Clients Need You Most,” will be presented by Sonny Wong. Building on insights from his 2026 Cannexus Keynote, the workshop invites participants to apply career development theories to examine clients’ career-life stage challenges and strengthen their counselling competencies when supporting individuals experiencing career crises. Participants will explore ethical and impactful ways to balance the “human hand” with the “AI hand” and reimagine the practice of career development in an AI-integrated landscape.
Cannexus27 keynote announcements are also underway, beginning with Dr. Samra Zafar, who will take the stage on Tuesday, January 26. A physician, award-winning speaker, best-selling author and expert on authentic leadership, belonging and inclusive wellness, Zafar combines science-backed insights with lived experience to help leaders build resilient, inclusive workplace cultures and create lasting impact.
On Wednesday, January 27, Duncan McCue will take the keynote stage. An award-winning broadcaster, author and Professor of Indigenous Journalism and (Story)telling at Carleton University, McCue is a respected leader in decolonizing journalism. Through his journalism, teaching and writing, he has spent decades advancing respectful Indigenous storytelling, fostering reconciliation and helping Canadians better understand Indigenous perspectives.
The Cannexus27 schedule offers plenty of highlights for delegates to discover, with the full program to be posted by late September. Delegates can also look forward to these conference features:
- National gathering of Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) program holders coming together for open discussion and sharing of wise practices
- Return of popular “Carousel” sessions – rotating roundtable discussions at tables of 8-10 for informal learning and networking
- Sector Leaders stream for Executive Directors, Directors and Senior Managers examining organizational and sector-wide change
Sessions at Cannexus27 will explore some of the most pressing issues and ideas shaping career and workforce development today across key themes including Career Development Practices and Theories; Career Education and Learning for K-12 and Young Adults; Career Development Sector Leadership and Advocacy; Indigeneity, Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; Innovations and Trends in Career Development; Specialized Career Supports and Programs; and Workplace, Employers and Employee Careers.
The Marilyn Van Norman Bursary is open to support community-based career development or employment practitioners to attend the in-person Cannexus conference and the Young Professionals Bursary is also open for emerging employment and career development practitioners to attend the virtual portion of the Cannexus conference. The application deadline for both is September 30, 2026.
Additional information is available on:
- Discounted hotels near the Rogers Centre
- Reduced fares to travel by plane or train
- Events and activities to enjoy in Ottawa
- Frequently asked questions about the conference
- Opportunities to become a Cannexus partner or exhibitor
- Testimonials from past attendees about the conference
Cannexus is presented by CERIC and supported by The Counselling Foundation of Canada and a broad network of partners. For more information on the conference and to register, visit cannexus.ceric.ca.