This session examines the real conditions shaping Canada’s workforce systems, including how policies, regional initiatives, employer priorities, and training networks are shifting in response to current labour pressures. It explains why this moment matters for organizations trying to plan talent pipelines, build partnerships, and prepare for the next decade of workforce demands. The discussion focuses on where policy direction and on-the-ground realities are aligned, where disconnects are slowing progress, and how these gaps affect workforce readiness across sectors