MSU Canadian Studies Center

Kudos to the Canadian National Railway Company on a fun day celebrating America’s 250th anniversary and the longstanding CN-MSU relationship! 🤝

We're grateful for CN’s continued support of the Canadian Studies Center, including our CN Forum, and we look forward to building on this partnership for years to come! 🇨🇦 🇺🇸

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of joining East Lansing Mayor Erik Altmann, community leaders and scores of rail enthusiasts to welcome Canadian National Railway Company President and CEO Tracy Robinson to East Lansing as part of CN’s America250 Whistle Stop Tour.

It was great to explore CN’s commemorative locomotives, featuring artwork celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States, take a photo alongside CN’s railroad safety mascot, Milo, and, most importantly, thank Tracy for CN’s continued partnership with Michigan State University through its endowment supporting MSU’s Canadian Studies Center and its biennial CN Forum.

MSU’s connection to the rails goes beyond our partnership with CN. The Broad College of Business also offers a Railway Management Certificate Program, preparing students for careers in an industry that plays an important role in our economy and communities.

A great day celebrating history, partnership and the many connections that keep us moving forward.

We’re looking forward to the 2026 CN Forum on September 16 and are pleased to announce the theme and lineup for our second panel: “Next-Generation Fuels and the Future of Mobility.”

The panel will feature expert insights on the technologies, energy systems, and infrastructure shaping the future of transportation in our region. Panelists include Annick Anctil of the Michigan State University College of Engineering, Nicholas Clark of Canadian National Railway Company, and Steve Minton of the Michigan Department of Transportation. Alyssa Ryan, also of the College of Engineering, will moderate.

📅 September 16, 2026
📍 MSU Henry Center, East Lansing
🎟️ Space is limited, so register today!
Learn more and register: https://tinyurl.com/2k9ynmsc

Join us at the 2026 CN Forum "Accelerating Innovation through Critical Infrastructure" on September 16 at the MSU Henry Center!

The Forum will feature a keynote and two panels, including a timely panel on Great Lakes-St. Lawrence maritime issues with André Chabot of the Chamber of Marine Commerce; Jason Miller of the MSU Broad College of Business; Eric Peace of the Lake Carriers Association; Elisha Wulff of the Michigan Department of Transportation; and Judd Herzer of MSU Mobility.

Our panelists will explore the future of Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway maritime infrastructure, transportation, and US-Canada trade and relations. 🚢

📅 September 16, 2026
📍 MSU Henry Center, East Lansing
🎟️ Space is limited, so register now: https://tinyurl.com/2k9ynmsc

Learn more here: https://canadianstudies.isp.msu.edu/cn-forum/

We're looking forward to this and hope to see you there! 🚂

We were honored to celebrate the work of Consul General Colin Bird as he completed his service in Detroit. He expertly maneuvered unprecedented times in the U.S.- Canada relationship. He is a colleague and friend and will be sincerely missed.

We were also honored to meet the new Consul General, Andrea Clements. We welcome her to Michigan and look forward to collaborating with her and her team!

Registration is now open for the 2026 CN Forum, “Accelerating Innovation through Critical Infrastructure,” which takes place September 16 at the MSU Henry Center in East Lansing!

Explore the future of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence maritime infrastructure, as well as regional investments in next-generation fuels and energy. This free event is a must-attend for anyone interested in US-Canada relations, economics, business, and infrastructure.

Space is limited. Register now: https://tinyurl.com/2k9ynmsc

More information is available on our website: https://canadianstudies.isp.msu.edu/cn-forum/

We hope to see you there!

We're looking forward to Canadian National Railway Company's America 250 Hometown Whistle Stop Tour, which includes a stop in East Lansing on August 18! 🚂

As part of the tour, specially painted CN locomotives will make a stop at the East Lansing Amtrak station, and community members are invited to come out to see the trains, learn about rail and rail safety, and celebrate the enduring U.S.-Canada relationship as part of America's semiquincentennial. 🇺🇸 🇨🇦

Use the QR code below to learn more and RSVP. We hope to see you there!

Kurt F. Kipfmueller, 1855 Professor of Indigenous and Tribal Natural Resources in the Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, was recently quoted in The Detroit News about the complexities of Canadian wildfires and wildfire smoke. 🗞️

You can read what Professor Kipfmueller and others have to say at the link below. 👇

Ontario wildfires 'not controllable.' Neither is the smoke, experts say Trying to fight the Ontario wildfires that sent smoke over Michigan is like "spitting into a campfire."

With wildfire smoke once again affecting communities across Michigan and Ontario, now is an important time to revisit evidence-based approaches to smoke response and mitigation.

The Canadian Studies Center's Canada Connect Policy Brief, "Addressing the Impacts of Catastrophic Wildfires through Proactive Forest Management and Wood Utilization," explores strategies to reduce wildfire risk and better prepare our communities for future smoke events.

Read the full brief at the link below. 👇

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