Paid Events

Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 
Time: 6:00pm – 7:45 PM
Location:1 Athletes Way, Vancouver, BC V5Y 0B1

Connect with your fellow evaluators and dig deeper into the nuanced shapes of misinformation!

Join CESBC Lower Mainland for an in-person companion discussion to the virtual viewing session. Reflect on André Picard's keynote, "Denial of Evidence in the Information Age" (originally delivered at the 2026 Canadian Evaluation Society conference), share your personal insights and experiences, and bring the conversation into the room!

“In an era defined by unprecedented access to information, the denial and distortion of evidence has become a growing threat to public discourse, scientific progress, and social cohesion. Despite robust data and rigorous evaluation methods, well-established facts are increasingly challenged—often shaped by political influence, funding pressures, and attempts to control narratives. How do we navigate this brave new world? Where is the light at the end of the tunnel?”

This evening will be filled with semi-guided discussion activities, open floor conversations, and opportunities to connect with other evaluators, students, and emerging professionals over light refreshments.

Open to all! Students, professionals, and anyone curious about misinformation. Even if you have not viewed the virtual screening, you are more than welcome to join us: we will ground the evening with key ideas and short transcript excerpts as a great introduction.

This event is free for CES members and $5 for non-members to offset the costs. Please register in advance and flag any accessibility or dietary needs.

Curious or have questions? Please reach out to:

Ann Yang, Lower Mainland Coordinator, cesbc.lowermain@gmail.com

Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026 
Time: 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Location: Irish Times (in the snug!), 1200 Government St, Victoria

Free for CES members | $5 +GST for non-members

Join us in downtown Victoria at Irish Times! The CESBC Vancouver Island Coordinators have reserved a room and ordered appetizers for an evening bringing together local evaluators, researchers, and like-minded individuals to discuss the rise of distrust and skepticism toward evidence and expertise and what it means for our work.

André Picard's CES 2026 keynote speech, “Denial of Evidence in the Information Age”, will be the starting point for the conversation. The next online viewing of the speech will be on August 24 at 5:30pm. Unable to attend a viewing? No problem! Pre-materials will be provided.

Stay for as long or as short as you like. Appetizers provided. Only 16 spaces available! Please cancel your registration if you’re no longer able to attend so we can open the spot to someone else.

Have questions? Please reach out to: Michelle and Ashley, Vancouver Island Coordinators: CESBC.VanIsle@gmail.com

Watch the 2025 CES National Conference session: “What competencies do evaluators need in the age of artificial intelligence?” Join us to celebrate the one-year anniversary of The Evaluation Couch podcast, hosted by CESBC member Maria Montenegro.

Free - CES members

$5 - CES non-members