The Brian Mulroney Institute of Government Distinguished Speaker Series Presents

Will We Fight?: National Identity and Cultural Sovereignty

Richard Stursberg

September 15, 2026
Mulroney Hall 2032
7:00 pm–9:00 pm

The Mulroney Institute’s Distinguished Speaker Series is pleased to welcome author and former Canadian entertainment executive Richard Stursberg. Mr. Stursberg’s talk explores the nature of Canada’s national identity. It looks historically at Canadians’ knowledge of their country, their pride in it, and their willingness to defend it. The talk will explore how changes in Canadians’ attitudes are tied to the evolution of Canadian media _— film, TV, books, and newspapers — and their replacement by American-owned streamers and social media.

All are welcome.

Biography

Richard Stursberg

Richard Stursberg is a former media executive. He was CEO of Telefilm Canada, chair of the Canadian Television Fund, head of all English services at the CBC, and co-chair of Hollywood Suite. He is the author of three books on Canadian media: The Tower of Babble (Douglas and McIntyre, 2012), named by The Globe and Mail one of the best books of the year; The Tangled Garden (Lorimer, 2020), which was shortlisted for the Donner Prize for the best book on public policy by a Canadian; and Lament for a Literature (Sutherland House, 2026). 

Mr. Stursberg is a past president of PEN Canada. He was named “Shit Disturber of the Decade” by Playback Magazine.