Can Geo Talks

Can Geo Talks is a dynamic speaker series featuring some of the most fascinating individuals working in the fields of geography, exploration, environmental science, journalism, history and more. Past presenters include world-renowned cave diver and Royal Canadian Geographical Society Explorer-in-Residence Jill Heinerth, actor and comedian Sir Michael Palin, award-winning photographer Michelle Valberg, marine archaeologist Mensun Bound, journalist and author Whit Fraser, and bestselling author and RCGS Westaway Explorer-in-Residence Adam Shoalts. 

Talks are held monthly from February to June and September to November. Unless otherwise specified, all talks take place in person at Canada’s Centre for Geography and Exploration, the headquarters of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society located at 50 Sussex Drive in Ottawa. Information about upcoming talks will be posted here. Admission for the talks is free; please consider supporting future events by donating to the Society. 

Upcoming talks

Details on upcoming talks will be posted here. Make sure you’re opted in to receive news about our upcoming events at 50 Sussex to be the first to know!

Wednesday, October 21 — QuestFest

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Join the Royal Canadian Geographical Society for the inaugural QuestFest, an evening celebrating polar exploration past and present. Discover the story behind two RCGS expeditions to find and survey Quest, the final ship of Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton.

The event will feature the launch of RCGS CEO John Geiger’s new book, Quest: Shackleton’s Last Ship & the End of the Heroic Age; the release of Canadian Geographic’s November/December special issue celebrating the 2026 Heroic Age Expedition; the premiere of the trailer for the upcoming documentary The New Heroic Age, from Vérité Films and Can Geo Films; and the opening of the RCGS’s Heroic Age Exhibition.

Books and magazines will be available for purchase, and refreshments will be served.

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 6–9 p.m. EDT
Location: Royal Canadian Geographical Society, 50 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ont.
Admission: Pay what you can

Your contribution helps the RCGS continue offering engaging public programming that brings Canada’s geography, history and exploration stories to life.

Register now

ICYMI

Check out these recordings of our recent talks!

Ryan Tidman & Maxime Légaré-Vézina
Trina Moyles
Ian MacLaren
David Geselbracht

Browse photos from past events

Explorer and bestselling author Adam Shoalts recounts an expedition he undertook from Lake Erie to the Arctic during one of two sold-out talks on Nov. 27, 2023.
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Explorer and bestselling author Adam Shoalts recounts an expedition he undertook from Lake Erie to the Arctic during one of two sold-out talks on Nov. 27, 2023.
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Journalist Karen Pinchin discusses her first book, Kings of Their Own Ocean, on Sept. 21, 2023.
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Glaciologist Anna Crawford speaks about her work on the Milne Ice Shelf on Nov. 3, 2022. (Photo: Tanya Kirnishni/Can Geo)
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Glaciologist Anna Crawford speaks about her work on the Milne Ice Shelf on Nov. 3, 2022. (Photo: Tanya Kirnishni/Can Geo)
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Russell Potter and Mary Williamson sign copies of May We Be Spared to Meet on Earth, a collection of the private correspondence of Sir John Franklin’s officers and men, after their talk on Sept. 26, 2022. (Photo: Ben Powless/Can Geo)
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Russell Potter, Peter Carney and Mary Williamson give a talk on their book May We Be Spared to Meet on Earth, a first-of-its-kind collection of the private correspondence of Sir John Franklin’s officers and men, on Sept. 26, 2022. (Photo: Ben Powless/Can Geo)
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Guests explore a giant floor map of the circumpolar Arctic before a talk on the Franklin expedition on Sept. 26, 2022. (Photo: Ben Powless/Can Geo)
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World-renowned cave diver and Royal Canadian Geographical Society Explorer-in-Residence Jill Heinerth gives a talk about her book, Into the Planet, on Sept. 13, 2019.
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Jill Heinerth signs a copy of her book, Into the Planet, for a young fan on Sept. 13, 2019. (Photo: Ben Powless/Can Geo)
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Wildlife photographer Michelle Valberg gives a Can Geo Talk on Nov. 7, 2019. (Photo: Ben Powless/Can Geo)
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Large-format photos by Michelle Valberg surround the audience during her Can Geo Talk on Nov. 7, 2019. (Photo: Ben Powless/Can Geo)
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Wildlife photographer Michelle Valberg gives a Can Geo Talk on Nov. 7, 2019. (Photo: Ben Powless/Can Geo)
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Michael Palin presents a Can Geo Talk on his book Erebus, a history of the doomed ship, in Ottawa on Oct. 19, 2018. (Photo: Ben Powless/Can Geo)
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Michael Palin greets a fan after his Can Geo Talk in Ottawa on Oct. 19, 2018. (Photo: Ben Powless/Can Geo)
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Michael Palin ready to sign books following his Can Geo Talk in Ottawa on Oct. 19, 2018. (Photo: Ben Powless/Can Geo)
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