About Canada’s participation
International Expos are a global platform used to share ideas, display innovation, encourage collaboration and celebrate human ingenuity. These world fairs bring together countries, companies, non-governmental organizations, multilateral organizations and millions of visitors in one place.
Canada’s theme
The Future in Mind
Canada’s Expo 2020 theme, The Future in Mind, serves as a platform to promote opportunities from across Canada’s provinces, territories and cities, and throughout all sectors of society. It will highlight Canadian leadership in key sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, education, digitization, telemedicine, clean technology, agriculture, health sciences, aerospace and more. Canada’s approach to Expo 2020 Dubai is inspired by its steadfast commitment to embracing diversity, inclusion, human rights and gender equality as the foundation to building a prosperous and inclusive nation capable and intent on offering solutions to global challenges.
Objectives
Expo 2020 will be an exceptional platform to display Canada’s Innovation, knowledge and expertise in the field of business and culture. Canada’s objectives as a participant in Expo 2020 Dubai are:
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Increase tourism
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Promote innovation
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Support international education
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Diversify international markets
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Attract foreign investments
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Increase support for Canadian initiatives
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Deepen relationships between Canada and the UAE
Expo history
The first ever World Expo was held in 1851 at London’s Crystal Palace. The Expo was named The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations. Over 100,000 objects were on display and Canada was present!
Since then, Canada has successfully hosted two Expos: the World Expo ‘67 in Montréal and the Specialized Expo ’86 in Vancouver. Canada has also participated in several world fairs, including most recently at Expo 2005 held in Aichi, Japan and Expo 2010 held in Shanghai, China.
1851
The Great Exhibition in London
May 1 to October 11, 1851
One of the core objectives for Britain was to tell the story of the achievements after The Industrial Revolution. The Great Exhibition was enormously influential on the development of many aspects of society including art and design education, international trade and relations, and even tourism. Canada’s participation at the first two great international exhibitions of the nineteenth century, the Great Exhibition at London’s Crystal Palace in 1851 and the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1855, brought together issues and concerns that spanned the full range of the colony’s developing innovation.
1967
Expo ‘67 Montréal, Québec
April 27 to October 29, 1967
Canada captured the hearts and minds of the world over with the theme Man and His World, which was celebrated as one of the most successful World Expos of the 20th century with 62 countries having participated. The fair coincided with Canada’s centennial year and produced numerous lasting legacies, including: The Port of Montréal (one of the largest deep sea ports in North America), a vibrant waterfront filled with shops, world class restaurants and downtown living accommodations, as well as studios for filmmaking and AI/digital media – a recognized top tier animation hub.
1986
Expo ‘86 Vancouver, British Columbia
May 2 to October 13, 1986
Canada once again captured the world’s attention by hosting the 1986 Specialized Expo in Vancouver under the theme World in Motion – World in Touch. A total of 54 countries participated and Vancouver welcomed more than 22 million visitors, almost double the predicted 13 million. Expo ‘86 left Vancouver with many lasting legacies, including a deep sea port, a SkyTrain, Science World, BC Place Stadium, Canada Place and a world class trade and convention Centre. In 2019, it still stands as the last Specialized Expo to be held in North America. The success, beauty and accessibility of Vancouver not only provided pride and confidence to the region, but it also helped pave the way for Canada to host the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
