This year's conference, held June 1–2 in Toronto, welcomed 760 delegates and delivered two days of exceptional technical education, meaningful networking, and professional development. The conference experience continues online, with on-demand access allowing members to catch up on missed sessions, revisit key presentations, and earn valuable Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits.
Its popularity is no accident. As many long-time attendees will attest, the conference has become one of the most anticipated events on the trust and estate calendar, routinely selling out months in advance.
“Year over year, there has been tremendous growth with the conference. More sponsors, great speakers, more attendees. It clearly ticks all the boxes for people getting their technical content and for networking.”
— Paul Taylor, LLB, TEP, Ottawa: Borden Ladner Gervais LLP; Treasurer, STEP Canada
A Conference Built by Members, for Members
What attendees see over two days in June is the result of nearly a year of planning.
The process begins in early fall, when STEP Canada's National Conference Program Committee begins meeting to review attendee feedback, discuss emerging issues, and identify the topics that matter most to practitioners across Canada.
“Members from across Canada submit ideas for the conference, and our committee members provide suggestions as well. The committee reviews every one of the ideas that comes in and evaluates them.”
— Rhonda Johnson, MBA, KC, TEP, Edmonton: Field Law LLP
With representatives from across the country and diverse professional backgrounds, the goal is to ensure that the content reflects the realities facing practitioners in every region and discipline.
National Conference Program Committee member Michelle Coleman notes that attendee feedback is central to the process.
“Through surveys, attendees can suggest topics they would like to see and experts they would like to hear from. As a committee, we start to look at the trends we're seeing and what we think people need to know.”
— Michelle Coleman, CPA, CA, CEA, TEP, Edmonton: MNP LLP; Director at Large, STEP Canada
Fellow Program Committee member Amanda Doucette agrees that the conference's success stems from its commitment to quality and relevance.
“The people on the conference planning committee are also attending for the educational value, so we have a vested interest in making sure the content is top-notch.”
— Amanda Doucette, LLB, LLM, TEP, Saskatoon: Stevenson Hood Thornton Beaubier LLP; Director at Large, STEP Canada
The result is a programme that balances technical updates with practical guidance, ensuring members leave with knowledge they can immediately apply in their practices.
Learning from Leading Practitioners
This year's programme featured a broad range of topics, reflecting the evolving landscape of trusts, estates, taxation, succession planning, and cross-border matters. Sessions included international mobility and cross-border planning, Canadian tax law updates, trust and estate case law developments, and U.S. tax considerations for Canadians.
Paul Taylor moderated both the Canadian Trust and Estate Law Update and the U.S. Tax Law Practitioner Update sessions.
“One of the things that is always evident is just how much is going on and how much is changing in this area, and the need to keep on top of it.”
— Paul Taylor
Michelle Coleman moderated a session examining Valuation Triggers and the practical considerations around business valuations in trust and estate matters. She noted that the session's highlight was the way the presenters turned a highly technical subject into advice attendees could immediately apply in their practices.
“Valuation sounds like getting an idea of how much something is worth, but it's really not. The speakers [Ian Hull and Jim Muccilli] were able to provide guidance on who the right people are to call when those professionals should be brought into the mix.”
— Michelle Coleman
The conference also addressed emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, global mobility, and increasingly complex cross-border estate planning considerations, reflecting the changing needs of clients and practitioners alike.
More Than Education
Of course, the STEP Canada National Conference is about more than technical learning.
For many attendees, it is an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, strengthen professional relationships, and build new connections across the country.
“You're going in with the expectation that you're going to catch up with old friends and meet new ones, while having that added benefit of learning a number of different things.”
— Michelle Coleman
That sense of connection was evident throughout the conference, from breakfast and networking breaks to the exhibit hall, Monday Night Cocktail Party, and the networking luncheons.
Equally encouraging was the presence of newer members and emerging leaders in the profession. As STEP Canada continues to grow, the conference remains an important place where the next generation of TEPs can learn from experienced practitioners, build relationships, and become active contributors to the profession.
Celebrating Volunteer Leadership
The conference also provided an opportunity to recognize the volunteers whose dedication helps make STEP Canada successful.
A highlight of this year's event was the presentation of the Michael Cadesky Volunteer of the Year Award to Amanda Doucette, recognizing her outstanding contributions to STEP Canada and the trust and estate profession. A member of the National Conference Program Committee since 2019, Amanda has played an important role in helping shape the educational experience that members value each year.
“Receiving the Michael Cadesky Volunteer of the Year Award is incredibly meaningful to me. My involvement with STEP has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my professional journey. Through volunteering with STEP, I have developed friendships around the world and had an opportunity to contribute to something much bigger than myself.”
— Amanda Doucette
The conference also celebrated several other outstanding achievements from across the STEP community. Ruth Spetz, Kenneth Keung, and Nathalie Marchand were recognized as recipients of the 2025 STEP Worldwide Founder's Award, honouring their exceptional contributions to STEP and the profession.
The award for Best STEP Inside Article of 2025 was presented to Tom Grozinger for Those Coveted Collectibles: Planning for and the Administration of Unique Collectibles, published in the January 2025 issue.
Excellence in professional education was also recognized through the 2025 conference highest-rated sessions. The Highest Rated 2025 Plenary Session award went to Nicole Richmond and Ashley Stacey for Estate and Capacity Considerations for Indigenous Clients: Understanding and Planning for One of Canada's Fastest-Growing Populations, while the Highest Rated 2025 Concurrent Session was awarded to Fiona Hunter and Tom Grozinger for The Fiduciary's Powers and Duties: Exercising Discretion.
“It is an honour to be part of a community that is so committed to excellence and to lifting each other up.”
— Amanda Doucette
Looking Ahead to 2027
As the 28th STEP Canada National Conference concluded, attention was already turning toward the future. The 29th STEP Canada National Conference is already scheduled for June 7–8, 2027. Based on this year's success, attendees would be wise to mark their calendars early.
For nearly three decades, the STEP Canada National Conference has embodied the organization's commitment to building connections, sharing knowledge, and advancing professional excellence. The 28th edition was another powerful reminder of the strength of Canada's trust and estate community and the value of bringing it together each year.