Events

George Leslie Mackay (1844–1901) began Canada's engagement with Asia when he founded the Canada Presbyterian mission in north Formosa in March 1872. Mackay’s missionary career and contributions to Taiwan have long been celebrated. After 150 years, organizers of this symposium want to widen the focus to explore the history of Canadian engagement with Asia that Mackay started.

This event is organized by the Canadian Mackay Committee with support from the Centre for Asian-Canadian Theology and Ministry at Knox College, the University of Toronto, and the York Centre for Asian Research at York University.

Our Senior Program Manager, Engaging Asia, Scott Harrison, and Junior Research Scholar, Quinton Huang will be speaking at the roundtable on Alberta and British Columbia in the Canada-Japan Relationship on Friday, June 24, 2022. 

B.C.’s trade with Japan was given a major boost in 2018 with the implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which is a trading block representing 495 million people with a combined gross domestic product of CAD $13.5 trillion — a full 13.5% of global GDP. The agreement is in force for Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Brunei, Chile and Malaysia have not yet ratified the CPTPP. 

Through the CPTPP, Canada and B.C. now have preferential access to some of the world’s most dynamic and fast-growing markets, which will strengthen B.C. businesses, grow the economy, and create good jobs in all regions of B.C. Japan was B.C.’s 3rd largest export destination with goods exports totaling $4.7 billion in 2021. Japan is the world’s third largest economy, with a significant consumer market and is a key participant in global value chains.

If you are interested in the Japanese market or want to learn more about how the CPTPP can reduce your costs and make you more competitive, we highly encourage you to join this webinar. 

Webinar Program: 

• Honourable George Chow, B.C. Minister of State for Trade – Opening remarks
• A.W. Lee, Senior Program Manager, Diversity and Inclusive Growth Strategy for Women Entrepreneurs, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada 
• Lisa Mallin, First Secretary, Trade Policy – CPTPP, Embassy of Canada in Japan 
• Eric Petersson, Trade Commissioner, Global Affairs Canada, Pacific Regional Office
• Ryo Tokunaga, Managing Director, Tokyo Office, Government of British Columbia
• Ben Kolisnyk, Senior Manager, Trade Policy and Negotiations Branch, B.C. Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery & Innovation
• Morgan Brown, Account Manager, B.C., Export Development Canada
• B.C. businesses with experience in Japan and the CPTPP
• Q&A

Our Senior Program Manager, Diversity and Inclusive Growth Strategy for Women Entrepreneurs, Central Canada Office (Toronto), A.W. Lee will be speaking at this event. 

B.C.’s trade with Australia and New Zealand was given a major boost in 2018 when Canada, Australia and New Zealand ratified the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which is a trading block representing 495 million people with a combined gross domestic product of CAD $13.5 trillion — a full 13.5% of global GDP. The CPTPP is in force for Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, and, once they have ratified, Brunei, Chile and Malaysia.

Through the CPTPP, Canada and B.C. now have preferential access to some of the world’s most dynamic and fast-growing markets, which will strengthen B.C. businesses, grow the economy, and create good jobs in all regions of B.C. The CPTPP strengthens the rules-based trading environment and provide enhanced market access for exporters and investors and establishes duty-free access for trade in goods between Canada and Australia & New Zealand, eliminating tariffs for key B.C. exports.

If you are interested in the Australian or New Zealand markets or want to learn more about how the CPTPP can reduce your costs and make you more competitive, we highly encourage you to join this webinar.

Webinar Program:

• A.W. Lee, Senior Program Manager, Diversity and Inclusive Growth Strategy for Women Entrepreneurs, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
• Martin Arseneault, Vice-Consul - Trade Commissioner, Trade Commissioner Service, Australia 
• Fabienne Bovis, Trade Commissioner & Maria Lo, Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner, Trade Commissioner Service, New Zealand
• Eric Petersson, Trade Commissioner, Global Affairs Canada, Pacific Regional Office
• Ben Kolisnyk, Senior Manager, Trade Policy and Negotiations Branch, B.C. Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery & Innovation
• Diane Belliveau, Chief Representative, Australia & New Zealand & Inyeob Kim, Account Manager, B.C. – Export Development Canada
• B.C. businesses with experience in Australia/New Zealand and the CPTPP
• Q&A

Our Senior Program Manager, Diversity and Inclusive Growth Strategy for Women Entrepreneurs, Central Canada Office (Toronto), A.W. Lee will be speaking at this event.