If there’s one thing about CIRA, it’s that when we say we’re going big, we mean it. This time, we packed our bags and headed to Canada’s largest city for our biggest—and arguably most memorable—Canadians Connected yet.
CIRA took over Ricarda’s, a hidden gem in the heart of downtown Toronto, for a networking event like no other. Expert cybersecurity insights? Check. Local shopping? Check. Banter? Double check. Maybe a little artistry? You bet. It was an evening that captured what Canadians Connected is all about—bringing people together to connect over Canada’s digital world, whether they left with a shopping bag, new cyber know-how or even a fresh partnership to-be.
Friends and foes: Navigating a new cyber landscape
This evening’s theme was cybersecurity, highlighted by the panel discussion Friends and Foes: Navigating a new cyber landscape. Journalist, podcaster and radio host Takara Small moderated an eye-opening conversation that explored how organizations are adapting to an evolving cyber landscape—one where the lines between friends and foes aren’t always clear. The panel featured some of Canada’s most seasoned and forward-thinking cybersecurity experts: Jon Ferguson, Vice-President, Cyber & DNS at CIRA; Deyves Fonseca, CISO at the University of Toronto; and David Shipley, CEO and Co-Founder of Beauceron Security Inc.
Watch the recap video
Relive all the highlights from Canadians Connected: Toronto in our recap video, courtesy of our friends at Indigo Events.
Pop-up shopping powered by .CA
Upon arrival, guests were welcomed by our largest lineup of .CA vendors yet—13 local businesses that turned the space into a buzzing marketplace. From artisanal foods to apparel (for humans and their four-legged friends) along with home goods, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
Chandler Honey
Not your typical honey, honey! Chandler Honey is sourced from Alberta and infused with premium flavours like mocha and peach-lychee for a delicious twist on a pantry staple.
Dog Gone Gear
Handmade dog collars, bandanas and bow ties for stylish pups, featuring fun, custom prints. And pssst, yes, they do have matching sets for owners and pets!
foonie
A little whimsy goes a long way! This stationery brand offering original greeting cards, stickers and prints inspired by nature and everyday magic, bringing illustrations to life in paper form.
Genuine Tea
We love spilling the tea, but we’d never spill this cup! This award-winning tea brand specialises in ethically sourced, high-quality loose-leaf teas—from matcha to herbal blends.
Green Buffalo Farms
Like mom always said, vegetables are cool! Green Buffalo farm is a sustainability-driven business offering fresh, urban-farmed microgreens and specialty produce.
LazyBonesCozy
Comfort and home-ware goods made from upcycled and repurposed fabrics, keeping textiles out of landfills while creating functional pieces with character—because who says cozy can’t be conscious?
Neighbourhood Coffee
They say love thy neighbour…and it’s easier when they make great coffee! This small-batch organic coffee is rooted in community—with packaging showcasing Toronto-based artists and each roast celebrating the city’s diversity.
NÜSKA
Handcrafted skincare, body-care and aromatherapy products made with ethical production, conscious ingredients and a focus on sensory self-care. Because your skin always deserves a main character moment.
Picasso Bites
Freeze-dried candy, fruits and veggies that bring fun and flavour to the table—because snacking should be an art form. Finally, a masterpiece you can actually eat.
QUEST XO
Life’s too short for boring chocolate. This chocolaterie crafts artful bars and sweets made with ethically sourced ingredients and a chef’s eye for design—every piece as beautiful as it is delicious.
Stop and Smell the Candles
Go ahead, stop and smell the candles! These hand-poured, soy wax candles are inspired by moments and memories, including a special Canada-themed line that brings the cross-country road trip to you, no gas money required.
Summit Strong
Whether you’re a pro on the slopes or just there for the après, these shades will guarantee you look cool either way. Summit Strong makes Canadian performance sunglasses engineered for endurance and extreme conditions—built to perform even when you don’t.
Undertonez Inc.
Subtle, high-quality scent products like sprays, incense and air-care, designed to neutralize odours and uplift everyday spaces. Because sometimes “what’s that smell?” should actually be a compliment.
Missed the event? You can still shop the .CA marketplace online. Plus, CIRA members get 10–20% off at 10 of these vendors—sign up for free today!
Membership came with extra benefits on-site, too. On top of enjoying exclusive marketplace discounts in person, CIRA members and .CA holders were treated to personalized portrait by artist Vicky Wang. Her abstract sketches sparked plenty of smiles and gave guests a fun keepsake to take home from the evening.
The art of the Shield: showcasing cybersecurity through creativity
Just beyond our .CA marketplace, attendees were invited to take a stroll along the CIRA Canadian Shield art trail. Through paintings and sculptures, artists reimagined online safety and brought cybersecurity to life, each interpreting how the CIRA Canadian Shield app helps keep Canadians safe in their own unique way. The art trail included original pieces from local artists Par Nair, Jasper Urbina, MP Guillot, Sasha Q and Tamara Kwapich.
Canadian Shield is a free DNS firewall for all Canadians, protecting your devices from malware, phishing and other online threats, keeping your digital life just a little sweeter, like maple syrup!
To make the experience even more interactive, attendees were encouraged to take part in a CIRA scavenger hunt—exploring the art trail, connecting with artists and collecting Canadian Shield goose stickers along the way. These feisty geese, much like the app itself, protect what’s theirs and aren’t afraid to honk about it.
.CA swag sweepstakes
New connections and insights weren’t the only things guests took home from the night. All attendees received raffle tickets, giving them the exciting opportunity to snag prizes up to $150 from each of the .CA businesses.
Booths galore!
A few additional booths added that much more to the Canadians Connected: Toronto experience:
Captured moments
Swipe below to catch some of the evening’s best moments in photos.
