The Winnipeg Branch delivers an annual Speakers Program between September and June. Our speakers include academics, professionals, advocates, and practitioners from all backgrounds representing a wide range of opinion. Most CIC events in Winnipeg are free to the public, while CIC members enjoy exclusive access to the speakers.

The Winnipeg Branch showcases local speakers and occasionally invites external speakers to engage Manitobans in discussions about issues related to Canadian foreign policy. Branch events range from individual speakers to multi-speaker panels and multi-panel conferences. Our events are delivered in -in-person, virtual and hybrid formats. Virtual and hybrid events allow local experts to reach a wider audience. The Winnipeg Branch also sponsors student conferences, such as the J. W. Dafoe Political Studies Student Conference at the University of Manitoba.

The Winnipeg Branch is dedicated to diversity, inclusivity, and equity in all that it does. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard. We expect all working with our Branch to embrace respect and tolerance as core principles of our work and to express them in interactions and through everyday practices.

We recognise that Canadian foreign policy is a product of the complex interplay between our national values and interests, and the policies, behaviours, and perspectives of other states. We encourage discussion on any topic that provides insight about the ideas that influence the behaviour of states and individuals. We aspire to help Canadians develop the knowledge necessary to find their way in a complex and competitive world.

The Winnipeg Branch was originally formed in 1928 as a Branch of the Canadian Institute of International Affairs (CIIA), from three local groups known as the Canadian League. The Winnipeg Branch, the largest of the original 1928 branches, was one of the most active branches during the 1930s. In 1935, the Winnipeg Branch began sponsoring popular radio broadcasts on international affairs. John W. Dafoe, editor of the Winnipeg Free Press, contributed greatly to the growth and success of the Branch, first as vice-president and later president of the CIIA. On 19 November 2008, the Winnipeg Branch was the first Branch created under the auspices of the Canadian International Council (CIC), successor to the CIIA.