A central goal is to identify practical ways to strengthen cross-border cooperation and inform policy on bilateral relations.

Over the next 18 months, the commission will hold meetings in Ottawa, Baltimore, Montreal, and Washington, with a final report due by late 2027.

A new binational commission to assess and strengthen Canada-U.S. relations is launching this week, led by a collaboration between McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy, Johns Hopkins SAIS, and the Centre for International Governance Innovation.

The report was first published by The Canadian Press on April 30, 2026.

Planned sessions will take place in Ottawa, Baltimore, Montreal, and Washington as the commission develops its long-term recommendations.

The Canadian Press article detailing the commission’s launch and objectives was published on April 30, 2026.

Launch events are planned for May 1 in Washington, D.C., and May 27 in Ottawa, with the full list of commissioners to be announced soon.

The initiative is co-led by the Centre for International Governance Innovation, with leadership shared among McGill, Johns Hopkins SAIS, and CIGI.

The initiative aims to produce a comprehensive assessment and set of recommendations to sustain and deepen bilateral cooperation in the years ahead.

Co-chaired by former Conservative cabinet minister Lisa Raitt and former U.S. congresswoman Jane Harman, the commission will gather senior leaders and policy experts from both countries to explore options for long-term bilateral cooperation across trade, energy, critical minerals, defence, and technology.