Event description
CABE is the premier organization for economists and other business professionals interested in discussing current issues impacting the Canadian and global economy.
Conferences
CABE/OEA 2026 Spring Policy Conference
Speakers
Stephen Tapp, PhD
CEO and Chief Economist, CSLS
Stephen Tapp is the CEO and Chief Economist at CSLS. He previously served as Chief Economist and SVP of Research, Data and Analytics at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, where he launched and managed the Business Data Lab. Stephen is the President of the Canadian Association for Business Economics and a member of the Canadian Statistics Advisory Council.
He has 25 years of diverse experience at many of Canada’s top economic organizations, including Export Development Canada as the Deputy Chief Economist, the Bank of Canada, Parliamentary Budget Office, Finance Canada, academia, as well as think tanks, such as the Institute for Research on Public Policy and the C.D. Howe Institute. Stephen’s research was awarded the Purvis prize for Canadian economic policy and has been published in academic journals, including the Canadian Journal of Economics and Canadian Public Policy.
He has a Ph.D. and M.A. in Economics from Queen’s University and an Honours B.A. in Economics with Distinction from Western University.
Frances Donald
Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, RBC
Frances Donald is the Chief Economist at RBC and oversees a team of leading professionals, who deliver economic analyses and insights to inform RBC clients around the globe. Frances is a key expert on economic issues and is highly sought after by clients, government leaders, policy makers, and media in the U.S. and Canada. She provides unique insights and actionable ideas on the macro-economic environment and financial markets across North America and is recognized for her ability to effectively communicate complex economic issues.
Frances joined RBC from another financial institution where she served as global chief economist and strategist. In this capacity, she was responsible for forecasting global macroeconomic and financial trends, analyzing the economy and capital markets for potential opportunities and risks, and serving as a thought leader both within the firm and externally
She’s a frequent public speaker and regularly appears in international and Canadian media, including Bloomberg, CNBC, the Financial Post, the Globe & Mail and CBC. Frances obtained a Bachelor of Economics from Queen’s University and earned her master’s degree in economics from New York University