🗳️ Cast Your Vote: CAM 2026 Leadership Elections Are Now Open!
- Canadian Association of Magicians
- 6 hours ago
- 4 min read
Dear CAM Members,
The moment has arrived! Nominations have officially closed, and it is time for our membership to elect the next President and Vice President of the Canadian Association of Magicians.
This historic election gives our community a direct voice in shaping the future of Canadian magic.
Below, you will find the bios and vision statements for each of our executive candidates, followed by the secure voting portal.
📅 Key Election Dates
Voting Window: Open now through August 13 at 11:59 PM EST.
Official Announcement: Election results will be announced at our AGM on August 14.
Transition: The new Executive and Board will officially take office on August 31.
Important: Strictly one vote per active member. Only your first submitted ballot will be counted.
🎩 Meet the Candidates
Candidates are sorted alphabetically.
Candidates for President
Shawn Farquhar
I am happy to serve the CAM in whatever capacity the membership feels I can best contribute, whether that be as a Board Member, Vice-President, or President.
I believe the current Executive and Board have done an outstanding job over the past several years. While no organization or leadership team is ever perfect, they have built tremendous momentum and accomplished a great deal for our association.
If elected to any of these positions, I will work hard to build on that success, support our volunteers, and help continue moving the CAM forward.
I previously had the honour of serving as President of the CAM during a period of significant growth, with increased membership and many exciting in-person events. That experience reinforced my belief in what our organization can achieve when we work together, and I would welcome the opportunity to contribute once again.
Scotty Swan
My name is Scotty Swan, and I am asking for your vote to become the next President of the Canadian Association of Magicians.
I have been performing professionally since 1997 and founded Urban Wizards Academy in 2012. After moving to the Yukon, I launched a free magic program for village youth in partnership with the First Nation of Na Cho Nyäk Dun and the Village of Mayo.
As President, I will focus on growing CAM through youth outreach, mentorship, stronger relationships with Indigenous communities, and welcoming the next generation of magicians. Through my network of full time professional performers, I will work to bring outstanding, diverse magic lectures to CAM that educate, inspire, and benefit our members.
Together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant CAM. I would be honored to earn your trust and your vote.
Ben Train
Ben Train is a full-time professional magician, co-founder of The Toronto Magic Company, and an accomplished teacher who has lectured across North America.
For nearly 30 years, Ben has been an active part of Canada’s magic community. He spent 16 years as an instructor at Sorcerers Safari, has been a member of Toronto’s Hat & Rabbit Club since 2001, and has organized countless shows, lectures, and events for magicians.
Now, Ben wants to give back to the community that has given him so much.
As CAM President, his goal is to give talented Canadian magicians a platform to share their work, create more opportunities for aspiring performers to learn and grow, and build stronger connections between magicians across the country through mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and events that genuinely excite and unite our community.
Candidates for Vice President
Steve Seguin
Steve Seguin thinks a lot about magic and effective organizations. In his own words, "I believe CAM needs to reinvent itself and rebrand itself. I believe there is a real opportunity for CAM to make magic a meaningful part of Canada's culture: advocating for the art form, building public legitimacy, developing talent, preserving history, and forging connections with government and cultural institutions. Canada isn't just a country with magicians – it has shaped the history of modern magic through the work of Dai Vernon, Doug Henning, Stewart James, and others. Belonging to CAM should be something special that honours this heritage."
Steve is a part-time professional magician and full-time Chief Product Officer at a multi-national software company. He is also a writer, consultant, and business analyst – and has served as former president of his local IBM ring and former board president of the London Fringe Festival. Visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveseguin/ and www.steveoz.com.
Marc Trudel
My name is Marc Trudel, and the Canadian Association of Magicians has been part of my life for my entire career as a magician. I organized the CAM convention in 2009, won the Canadian Championship of Magic twice, and have long been a proud member of the organization. For over 20 years, I have been a professional magician, co-organizing the Montreal Magic Jam and the Montreal Magic Club, and currently serving as co-editor of Conundrum Magazine.
As a French Canadian, I believe I can help bridge our two solitudes and help CAM become a truly bilingual, national organization serving magicians from coast to coast. I want to bring greater transparency, more resources, and fresh content to our community. My experience as vice-president of a local non-profit has prepared me to bring sound governance and steady leadership to the board.
I'm ready to help CAM enter an exciting new chapter.
🔒 Member-Only Voting Portal
Note: You must be an active CAM member and logged into your account to cast your vote. Each member is allowed strictly one vote.
Vote Here
Trouble voting? If you are an active member having issues logging in or submitting your ballot, please contact us immediately at cammembership@gmail.com
