DXC26 Highlights
The seventh annual DemocracyXChange summit, held from April 16–18, 2026, in Toronto, brought together more than 950 changemakers for three sold out days across four venues.
Centred on the theme Side by Side: Building an Economy that Serves Democracy , the summit created a vital space for exploring how democratic societies can build more inclusive, resilient, and people-centred economies. Participants from across civil society, government, business, academia, philanthropy, and the arts came together to exchange ideas and advance practical solutions to some of today's most pressing democratic challenges.
The summit opened with three thought-provoking exhibitions exploring technology, democracy, and collective action, alongside a keynote from Cory Doctorow, who examined how digital systems can be redesigned to better serve the public interest. Across more than 25 sessions, participants explored topics including economic democracy, public-interest AI, democratic innovation, local wealth building, digital rights, climate resilience, and Canada's role in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical landscape. Highlights included Nobel laureate Daron Acemoglu's keynote on the future of liberal democracy, Zita Cobb's conversation on building economies rooted in place and community, discussions on public AI and data governance, and participatory sessions that invited attendees to help imagine democracy's next chapter.
DXC26 was more than a forum for ideas, it was a catalyst for collaboration and action. Coproduced by OCAD University, the Open Democracy Project, and The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University, the summit strengthened connections across sectors while reinforcing the importance of democratic innovation in an era of rapid technological, economic, and political change. By bringing together diverse perspectives and practical approaches, DemocracyXChange 2026 left participants motivated and better equipped to build an economy, and a democracy, that works for everyone.
DXC26 By The Numbers
Democracy Futures Workshop
What does it take to build a more resilient Canada in an era of global uncertainty? At DemocracyXChange 2026, more than 60 participants came together for the Democracy Futures Workshop to imagine bold new approaches to strengthening Canadian sovereignty across four interconnected areas: culture, the economy, technology, and territory.
Using foresight and collaborative design, participants explored emerging risks, challenged conventional thinking, and developed practical proposals—from Canadian-owned digital infrastructure and renewed public participation to stronger cultural institutions and more inclusive economic systems.
The result is a thought-provoking report and a Civic Sovereignty Charter for 2035 that offers a vision for building democratic resilience in the years ahead. Read the full report to explore the ideas and recommendations that emerged from this unique collaborative process.
Strategies and Democratic Practices to Build Community Wealth: Lessons from a Roundtable at DemocracyXChange 2026
At DXC26, Atkinson Foundation and Social Capital Partners convened a full-day roundtable to explore the question: How can we create more democratic and inclusive local economies?
What does a democratic economy actually look like, and how do we build one? At DXC26, 40 leaders from across government, philanthropy, civil society, academia, and social finance came together to explore practical ways to create more inclusive local economies. The discussion highlighted five key areas for action, from rewiring the flow of capital and strengthening community ownership to building people power and reshaping public policy. Explore the full report for insights and ideas that can help strengthen communities across Canada.
Disenshittification Nation Keynote
Author, activist and journalist Cory Doctorow joined DXC26 to discuss how Canada can turn the upheaval of U.S.A./Canada relations over the past year into a strategic opportunity to rebuild its tech sector, strengthen digital sovereignty and position itself as a global technology leader.
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