Chair, CEO and founder, Abacus Data
Named one of Canada’s top 100 most influential people in Canadian politics by The Hill Times,
David Coletto is one of Canada’s most recognizable pollsters and commentators on politics,
consumer behaviour, and the workplace.
He is Chair, CEO and founder of Abacus Data, a full-service market research and strategy firm based in Ottawa, Toronto and Halifax. With almost two decades of experience in the industry,
David and his partners founded Abacus 15 years ago and since then it has grown into one of
Canada’s most respected market research firms.
He earned a PhD in Political Science from the University of Calgary in 2010 is an adjunct
professor at Carleton University in the Clayton H. Riddell Master of Political Management
program. He is the host and producer of inFocus with David Coletto a podcast that explores the
intersection of public opinion, politics, public policy, and consumer behaviour. He is also the
official pollster for the Toronto Star and The Logic.
3:00 PM-4:00 PM
Canada as a food superpower: unlocking a growth opportunity
Canada faces a rare moment of opportunity. Global demand for food is rising. Countries around the world are competing to attract investment, strengthen food security, and expand value-added production. Canada has the potential to lead, but leadership will require a clear vision, compelling economic evidence, and a united industry voice.
This session will share the latest research on how agriculture and food are perceived by federal decisionmakers. Panelists will then discuss how to position agriculture and food as a strategic national priority and as a key driver of Canada’s future prosperity.
