CPC Convention 2026

Our choice to attend the 2026 national convention of the Conservative Party of Canada in Calgary was based on a simple reality: Canada is on the verge of an economic turning point, and Bitcoin policy is now firmly in the middle of that discussion.

Conventions are traditionally thought of as a forum for politics and parties, but in reality, they are the place where ideas are tested, allegiances forged, and the beginnings of a new policy platform are set in motion. For the Canadian Bitcoin Consortium, Calgary was about much more than simply a room full of delegates; it was about ensuring that Bitcoin was injected into the mainstream of Canadian economic policy, right along with issues of productivity, inflation, energy, innovation, and competitiveness.

Throughout the convention floor and in the many sidebars and hallway conversations, a common thread was clear: Canadians are becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the trajectory of the Canadian economy. Cost of living pressures remain high, capital investment is tenuous, and the younger generation of professionals is wondering whether the land of opportunity still exists here in Canada. And meanwhile, policy makers  are looking for solutions to these problems without returning to the debt-fueled policies of the past.

Bitcoin is now a part of this policy debate, and not as a speculative fad, either.

At its core, Bitcoin is a new kind of financial rail that is global in scope, instantaneous in effect, and governed by a set of rules that are crystal clear and non-negotiable. For a country such as Canada, which prides itself on a high standard of living, a wealth of energy reserves, and a world-class financial system, this presents a strategic opportunity. The question is not whether Bitcoin is going to continue to grow and thrive around the world; the answer to that question is already a foregone conclusion. The question is whether Canada is going to be a player in this new reality, or simply a laggard waiting to catch up on events in the future.

Our work in Calgary revolved around three key areas.

Regulatory coherence
Canada’s current state is characterized by a disjointed digital asset space, where definitions are inconsistent, compliance is opaque, and innovation is stifled through ambiguity rather than risk. We were told, repeatedly, that Canada wants to be a place where people can innovate and invest, but needs clarity on rules and regulations. A genuine national strategy must start with clarity: making sure that Bitcoin is differentiated from other digital assets, coordinating federal agencies, and providing simple frameworks for access to banking,  taxation, and reporting.

Monetary resilience
The rise in inflation has forced Canadians to face some hard realities about their purchasing power. Bitcoin represents a new kind of savings technology, one that is fixed, global, and lacks a central controlling entity. This means that for individuals, it represents a new kind of diversification, while for institutions, it represents a new kind of reserve asset, and for governments, it represents a new reality: that monetary sovereignty is no longer a given, and that competition is already here, whether governments like it or not.

Economic leadership
Countries across the globe are quietly competing to become a hub for bitcoin-related assets, jobs, and infrastructure: mining, data centers, custody, and  financial instruments, all require a conducive environment, and Canada’s environment is conducive, possessing abundant energy and a stable system of laws. What Canada lacks, however, is a genuine federal vision that sees bitcoin as part of a legitimate economy, rather than an edge case.

Throughout the convention period, Consortium members engaged with MPs, candidates, and grassroots members. These were not abstract discussions; they were focused on the practicalities involved in capital gains policies for users, how banks might engage with the currency from a balance sheet perspective, how the energy-rich provinces might use mining to their advantage to ensure greater stability in the grids they operate, and how Canada might stay ahead as other countries move further and faster.

What became apparent during the convention period was the consensus around the fact that digital currencies are no longer a peripheral or optional discussion for the country. They have a direct and significant impact on the country’s innovation policies, its financial sovereignty, and its ability to attract and retain investments in an increasingly fluid world.

Our presence in Calgary also highlights an important shift in the discussion around digital currencies and their policy implications for the country. The discussion around bitcoin policy is no longer relegated to the fringes or the interest of a few enthusiasts; it is becoming a mainstream political discussion.

And as such, it must be accompanied by a corresponding level of maturity and substance in the advocacy and discussion around the issues. It must be based on substance rather than hype that balance the need for financial stability with the need to move forward, and it must be based on a set of principles and approaches that are collaborative rather than ideological.

We can continue to muddle through a piecemeal regulatory approach and continue to watch from the sidelines as the best and the brightest move to other countries to seek their fortunes. Or we can define a clear and principled position as a country that recognizes the importance of bitcoin as a strategic asset, supports the innovation and growth potential it offers, and seeks to position the country as a serious contender in the next phase of the evolution of the global financial system.

The Canadian Bitcoin Consortium remains committed to working with policymakers from across the political spectrum to define a framework that meets the above criteria and to move the discussion forward beyond the current state of affairs. The convention in Calgary was not the end of the discussion; it was merely a marker along the road to greater clarity, greater competitiveness, and a renewed sense of hope and optimism for Canadians.