CUSMA and the Future of North American Trade May 22, 2026 — Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
On May 22, 2026, I had the privilege of moderating a closed briefing on CUSMA and the future of North American trade at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, as part of a delegation visit organized by the Portland Metro Chamber and WorldOregon.
The session brought together approximately 65 senior business, civic, and elected leaders from Oregon, including former Oregon Governor Kate Brown, the Consul General of Canada in Seattle, and senior executives from the Port of Portland and Business Oregon. The discussion was supported by the Canadian International Council Vancouver.
The panel featured two distinguished guests: Kristen Hopewell, Canada Research Chair in Global Policy at the University of British Columbia, and Daniel Kiselbach, Vancouver Managing Partner at Miller Thomson LLP. The conversation focused on the upcoming CUSMA review, regional economic competitiveness, and the implications for the Cascadia corridor.
The briefing reflected the growing importance of subnational and regional engagement in shaping the Canada-US economic relationship at a pivotal moment for North American trade.
Coffee Talk on Canada-Indonesia Trade September 9, 2025 — Jakarta, Indonesia
In September 2025, I was invited to Jakarta to speak at a Coffee Talk hosted jointly by the Indonesia Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) and the Canada Indonesia Chamber of Commerce (CICC).
The conversation continued a dialogue that began in Vancouver in July 2025, when the CICC and Indonesia Trade Promotion Centre hosted the ICCC at a sold-out seminar on Canadian investment opportunities and market dynamics in Indonesia.
At the Jakarta session, I shared my perspective on the opportunities and challenges of deepening trade between Canada and Indonesia, the growing strategic importance of Indonesia in the Indo-Pacific region, Canada’s evolving trade position, and practical insights on navigating both markets for businesses looking to expand across borders.
The event reflected the strengthening institutional relationship between the two chambers and the growing momentum around Canada-Indonesia economic engagement ahead of the Canada-Indonesia CEPA coming into force.
Panel Discussion: New Realities, Old Ties: Canada and Europe in an Era of Global Tensions June 19, 2025 — Kasian Architecture Office Vancouver
In June 2025, I joined a panel organized by the Canada Germany Business Association and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung to discuss the shifting dynamics in Canada-Europe relations at a moment of significant geopolitical change.
The discussion covered the future of NATO amid declining US reliability, the impact and prospects of CETA, and Canada’s potential role as a bridge between the transatlantic and Indo-Pacific spheres.
I was joined on the panel by Vina Nadjibulla of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, Bernd Althusmann of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, and Alexandra Richards of Simon Fraser University. The conversation was moderated by Franziska Schwarzmann.
Panel Discussion: Shared Horizon — Canada and ASEAN in a Changing World January 25, 2025 — Peter Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
In January 2025, I participated in a panel discussion hosted by UBC’s Centre for Southeast Asia Research and the Peter Allard School of Law, exploring Canada’s evolving relationship with ASEAN at a moment of significant regional and global change.
In my remarks, I outlined the potential benefits of the Canada-Indonesia CEPA while highlighting key challenges including business uncertainty in Indonesia and the limited engagement between Canadian and Indonesian firms. I also addressed opportunities for Canadian companies in Indonesia’s renewable energy sector, Indonesia’s decision to join BRICS, and the critical role of the Indonesian diaspora and organizations like the Canada Indonesia Chamber of Commerce in facilitating bilateral collaboration.
The broader discussion covered the impact of changing leadership in ASEAN, the prospects of a Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement, and how ASEAN is navigating global geopolitical competition.
I was joined on the panel by Yves Tiberghien, Director of Kawankai Research at UBC, Tommy Koh from the Singapore Prime Minister’s Office, and Dr. Hema Nadarajah, Senior Fellow at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.
Panel Discussion: Do We Need an International Anti-Corruption Court? November 26, 2024 — YWCA Hotel Vancouver
I had the pleasure of moderating a conversation with two distinguished guests: Fen Osler Hampson, President of the World Refugee and Migration Council, and the Honourable Allan Rock, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and former Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations.
The discussion drew on the work of the World Refugee and Migration Council’s Task Force on Anti-Corruption and explored whether a dedicated international court is needed to hold perpetrators of grand corruption accountable, and what role Canada and the business community can play in advancing that agenda.
The event was part of CIC Vancouver’s ongoing programming bringing senior figures in international law, diplomacy, and global governance to Vancouver audiences.
Panel Discussion: Canada-Indonesia CEPA — What It Means for Indonesian Businesses in Canada May 7, 2024 — Burnaby, British Columbia
I moderated the discussion, which featured Suryo Arianto Nugroho of Onyx Strategy Group, Andri Satria Permana of the Indonesia Trade Promotion Centre Vancouver, and Gracia Caroline of the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Vancouver.
The conversation covered the key provisions of the CEPA, the practical implications for Indonesian businesses and entrepreneurs in Canada, and the steps companies can take to position themselves ahead of the agreement coming into force.
Roundtable with Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly: Canada’s Foreign Policy Outlook November 3, 2023 — UBC Robson Square, Vancouver
In November 2023, CIC Vancouver hosted a closed roundtable with the Honourable Mélanie Joly, then Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada. I had the privilege of moderating the discussion.
The conversation covered Canada’s evolving foreign policy approach under Minister Joly, including Canada’s position on the conflict in Gaza, its support for Ukraine, and the priorities and implementation of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.
The roundtable brought together a select group of participants from Vancouver’s business, academic, and policy communities for a candid and substantive exchange with one of Canada’s senior cabinet ministers.
Seminar: Canada’s National Housing Strategy November 2022 — University of British Columbia, Vancouver
The session provided an overview of housing policy in Canada, examined the strengths and limitations of the National Housing Strategy, and offered recommendations for improving the policy framework. The seminar was designed to give competition participants a grounded understanding of one of Canada’s most pressing domestic policy challenges.