We warmly invite you to join Carleton University’s Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at the 75th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association of Geographers from May 20th to 23rd, 2025, held jointly with the 50th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the Canadian Cartographic Association from May 20 to 21.

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CAG2025 / CCA follows the theme “Confluence.”

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The confluence of three rivers, the Ottawa, Rideau, and Gatineau in Ottawa, is more than just a geographical phenomenon. It represents a convergence of forces that shape our understanding of space, place, and identity. This year's joint conference between the Canadian Association of Geographers (CAG) and the Canadian Cartographic Association (CCA) celebrates the theme "Confluence" as a metaphor for the intersections and interconnections that underpin our disciplines.

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In Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, where this conference takes place, three majestic rivers converge. This natural wonder has significant spiritual meaning for Indigenous peoples. One of Ottawa’s most stunning natural landmarks, The Akikpautik / Chaudière Falls on the Ottawa River is a site of cultural importance, serving as a sacred meeting space for generations. Carleton University, the hub of our gathering, is located near the artificially-created yet mighty Hog’s Back Falls at the confluence of the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal (a UNESCO heritage site).  Carleton University’s campus provides a unique opportunity to explore the connections between geography, cartography, and Indigenous knowledge.

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By embracing confluence, geographers and cartographers can foster new connections, collaborations, and insights that illuminate complex issues. This theme acknowledges that geographical problems are often intertwined with other disciplines, requiring collaborative approaches. For example, climate change can be understood as an environmental phenomenon with social, economic, and political dimensions, which highlights the need for interdisciplinary dialogue and cooperation. Cartographic representations of space similarly reflect the confluence of cultural, historical, philosophical, and economic understandings, which have been influenced by past and contemporary technologies, and demonstrate how maps shape and are shaped by our understandings of place, identity, and power.​

 

In celebrating this theme, we remember that embracing confluence is about both bringing different perspectives together and  creating new possibilities for understanding and addressing complex geographical issues. By sharing knowledge in the spirit of confluence, we can deepen our understanding of geography and cartography and their relevance to contemporary opportunities and challenges.

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Should you require any additional information, please contact us at CAG2025@carleton.ca​

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