VIP Luncheon with General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff
ABOUT EVENT:
VIP Luncheon with General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff
How will Canada’s mission to strengthen our military, including historic investments in defence, impact our nation’s businesses and economy?
On March 25, 2026, The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce is honoured to host a VIP luncheon featuring the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Jennie Carignan, to explore the answers and opportunities.
This year’s federal budget represents the largest defence investment in decades – $6.6 billion over five years – promising to modernize NORAD, reinforce Arctic defences, and equip the Canadian Armed Forces with new infrastructure and technology. This national investment will have local impact, encouraging innovation, supply chain growth, and new business opportunities here in Winnipeg.
General Carignan will share more on Canada’s evolving security environment, discuss our defence priorities, and outline how we are transforming and mobilizing the Canadian Armed Forces. Join us to find out how you can support Canada’s defence.
PROGRAM
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Fairmont Winnipeg
2 Lombard Place
REGISTRATION CLOSED
Member Rate: $100 + tax
Non-Member Rate: $200 + tax
Tables of 10 also available for purchase
Please note this luncheon is not part of our Member Luncheon season seat series
To learn more about the benefits of a Chamber membership, including discounted ticket rates click here.
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsor
Reception Sponsor
Bronze Sponsors
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
General M.A.J. Carignan, CMM, MSC, MSM, CD
A graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada in Engineering, General Jennie Carignan was commissioned into the Canadian Military Engineers in 1990.
Since then, she commanded two Combat Engineer Regiments, Royal Military College Saint-Jean and the 2nd Canadian Division, where she led more than 10,000 soldiers and spearheaded crisis operations during the flood relief efforts in the spring of 2019 in Quebec. More recently, she led NATO Mission Iraq from November 2019 to November 2020. Gen Carignan participated in three previous expeditionary operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Golan Heights, and Afghanistan. From 2021 to 2024, Gen Carignan was appointed Chief of Professional Conduct and Culture.
Along the way, Gen Carignan earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Université Laval and a second Master’s degree from the United States Army Command and General Staff College and the School of Advanced Military Studies. She is also a graduate of the National Security Studies Programme from Canadian Forces College in Toronto and the recipient of an honorary doctorate from Huntington University.
Gen Carignan has been invested as Commander of the Order of Military Merit and is the recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Cross. She received the prestigious Gloire de l’Escolle medal which recognizes graduates from Université Laval who have distinguished themselves professionally and in service to their communities. She was recently awarded an honorary doctorate in Business Administration from Université Laval.
Gen Carignan was promoted to her current rank in July 2024 and appointed as Chief of the Defence Staff.
Married, Gen Carignan is the mother of four children, two of whom proudly serve in the Canadian Armed Forces.