2026 CREATE Keynote Address
(Following the Conference Opening beginning at 1 pm)
March 30 | Royal Arbutus Room
Alistair MacGregor
Reflections on a Personal, Political and Professional Journey in Communication
Alistair MacGregor’s keynote at CREATE draws on experience communicating in very different worlds – the halls of Parliament, small community forums, one-on-one with constituents, and First Nations governance and administration. Lessons along the way weren’t always easy, and they were often learned with more error than trial. From understanding audiences, paying attention to how messages land, knowing when to stop talking and start listening, and finding the courage to get it wrong and try again, this is a personal reflection on the importance of communication and practical examples of how it fosters better connection, understanding, and awareness in personal, political, and professional settings.
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Alistair MacGregor has spent more than three decades living and working in the Cowichan Valley, a place that has shaped both his values and his understanding of what it means to serve a community. Elected as the NDP Member of Parliament for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford for three consecutive terms from 2015 to 2025, he brought the voices of Vancouver Island constituents to the House of Commons, contributing to parliamentary work on agriculture, food security, public safety, and the landmark debates around Medical Assistance in Dying. He now serves as Chief Administrative Officer to Cowichan Tribes, the largest First Nation in BC, trying to match their ambition with capacity. Alistair holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Victoria and both a Master of Arts in Professional Communication and a Graduate Certificate in Leadership from Royal Roads University.