Laurier Chancellor Nadir Patel and SportChek president Scott Dowding explore Canada’s role in a shifting global economy

May 29, 2025

Wilfrid Laurier University alumni and friends gathered in Calgary on May 27 for an evening of networking and insight featuring Laurier Chancellor Nadir Patel (BA ’93) in conversation with Scott Dowding (BBA ’99), president of SportChek.

The event was part of Laurier’s ongoing alumni engagement series featuring the university’s chancellor, which explores Canada’s role in a rapidly changing global landscape. Patel is a distinguished diplomat with a career of high-level positions in Canada’s public service.

Laurier President and Vice-Chancellor Deborah MacLatchy opened the evening with remarks highlighting the university’s role in fostering national dialogue.

“As we navigate a period of trade tensions with the U.S., strains on national unity and growing geopolitical uncertainty, it’s more important than ever to engage in thoughtful dialogue about our regional differences, national identity and place in the world,” MacLatchy said. “Canada’s universities, including Laurier, have a critical role to play in this dialogue. Our country is facing profound challenges that will require collaboration, innovation, resilience and deep insight.”

During a fireside chat, Patel drew on his extensive diplomatic experience, including his former role as Canada’s high commissioner to India, in reflecting on how Canada is navigating trade tensions, global uncertainty and shifting alliances, particularly when it comes to the United States.

“Canada hasn’t always been quick to adapt to a rapidly changing world. The trade tensions with the U.S. present us with as many opportunities as they do challenges, we're already seeing a push for change, such as the breaking down of interprovincial trade barriers, which would not necessarily have happened otherwise,” he said. “These issues will strengthen our economy and allow us to deal with geopolitical uncertainty better than we would otherwise have.”

Dowding, who leads more than 300 retail locations across Canada as president of SportChek, brought a private sector lens to the conversation. Dowding spoke about how the current trade war is reshaping business strategy, supply chains and consumer expectations.

“As soon as tariffs were announced, we went into our war rooms to look at our sourcing models,” he said. “The sentiment of late has been that many Canadians want to buy things that are produced in Canada. At SportChek, we sell mainly shoes and apparel. The reality is that you are not going to find very many shoes or apparel items produced in Canada.

“But when Canadians support a Canadian retailer, which is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, you’re supporting investors in Canada and you’re rewarding Canada. Canadian Tire (which owns SportChek) spends over $500 million a year in Canada, building stores, investing in our supply infrastructure and employing Canadians.”

Attendees were invited to take part in an audience Q&A, with questions ranging from attracting global talent to the role of Canadian values in foreign policy. Following the discussion, guests mingled during a networking reception while enjoying food and refreshments.

Laurier extends its gratitude to Sean Smyth (BBA ’89), Litigation Partner at McCarthy Tétrault LLP, for hosting the event and for his continued support of the Laurier alumni community.

For more information about Laurier events focused on Canada’s position in a rapidly changing global landscape and experts on the subject, visit Laurier’s Trade, Tariffs and Canada-U.S. Relations page.