The Canada China Business Council (CCBC) was pleased to host a well-attended morning program on November 25 in Vancouver, bringing together financial experts, business leaders, and exporters for a substantive discussion on navigating the evolving trans-Pacific trade environment.

 

As the global marketplace continues to shift, the event provided participants with timely perspectives on China’s role in Canada’s diversification strategy and practical tools to manage risk and support international expansion. Attendees benefited from actionable insights into trade finance, foreign exchange considerations in Canada–China transactions, and broader economic trends influencing Canadian exporters.

 

We were honoured to feature expert contributions from our speakers:

 

• Joanne Carnell, Director, Fixed Income & Currencies, RBC Capital Markets

• Robert Hogue, Assistant Chief Economist, RBC Royal Bank of Canada

• Joyce Lee, Partner and Chair of Asia Group, McCarthy Tétrault LLP

• Angelina Li, Vice-President, North Shore, Commercial Financial Services, RBC Royal Bank of Canada

• Andy McCaughren, Director, Trade Finance, RBC Royal Bank of Canada

• Beau Olmstead, Vice-President, Commercial Financial Services, RBC Royal Bank of Canada

 

Their analysis and real-world examples underscored the importance of informed risk management and the opportunities available to Canadian companies prepared to engage proactively in global markets, including China.

Thank you to our event sponsor, RBC Royal Bank of Canada, for its generous support, and to our supporting organizations, Export Navigator and WeBC.

 

Date: Tuesday, November 25th, 2025

Time: 8:00 – 10:30 AM PST

Location: RBC Royal Bank of Canada, EDR – 36 Floor, 1055 West Georgia St. Vancouver, BC V6E 3S5

 

 

Agenda:

8:00 AM PST: Registration and networking

8:30 AM PST: Remarks, Presentations, Q&A

• Economic recovery in uncertain times – Robert Hogue, Assistant Chief Economist, RBC Royal Bank of Canada
• Navigating Trade Finance in Uncertain Times – Andy McCaughren, Senior Business Development Manager, Trade Finance, RBC Royal Bank of Canada
• FX Risk in Canada-China Transactions – Joanne Carnell, Director, Fixed Income & Currencies, RBC Capital Markets

10:30 AM PST: Event ends

 

Tickets:

• CCBC Members: $25 + tax
• Non-Members: $100 + tax

 

Refund and Cancellation Policy:
Payment is non-refundable unless the Canada China Business Council cancels the event.

 

Speakers:

 

 

 

Joanne Carnell
Director, Fixed Income & Currencies
RBC Capital Markets

 

Joanne Carnell is a Director with RBC Capital Markets and manages the Vancouver Middle Markets Foreign Exchange desk. She has been with RBC since 2009. Joanne provides foreign exchange trading, advice and risk management strategies for RBC clients. Prior to joining RBC, Joanne spent 10 years trading foreign exchange, bonds and equities for an institutional investment manager. Joanne holds a BA from the University of British Columbia and is a CFA charter-holder.

 

 

 

Robert Hogue
Assistant Chief Economist
RBC Royal Bank of Canada

 

Robert Hogue is responsible for providing analysis and forecasts on the Canadian housing market and provincial economies. His publications include Housing Trends and Affordability, Provincial Outlook and provincial budget commentaries. In his functions, he is frequently called to comment on the economy, both internally within RBC and externally with clients and the media.

Robert joined RBC in May 2008 after spending 15 years with another Canadian financial institution as a senior economist specializing in industrial analysis. At the outset of his career, he spent four years as an economist with Ontario Hydro, where he specialized in industrial and macroeconomic analysis. Robert holds a Master’s degree in economics from Queen’s University and a Bachelor’s degree from Université de Montréal.

 

 

 

Joyce Lee
Partner and Chair of Asia Group
McCarthy Tétrault LLP

 

Joyce brings a unique perspective to her practice, skillfully uniting Canadian companies seeking Chinese investors with Chinese companies looking to expand into North America. She also regularly advises corporate executives in the financial sector about taking advantage of opportunities and navigating risk.

 

Born and raised in Hong Kong and with over 20 years experience working in the North American marketplace, Joyce has both the cultural and business skills necessary to view potential deals from each party’s perspective. Her communication skills – she speaks English, Mandarin and Cantonese fluently – smoothly guide Asian companies into Canada, including joint ventures in mining and other natural resources sectors; and, the technology, life science and real estates industries.

 

Joyce earned her BA (Hons) (Jurisprudence) in 1989 and her MA in 1996 from Oxford University, England. Admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales in 1992 and Hong Kong in 1993, she was called to the British Columbia bar in 1995 and practised in London, England and Hong Kong before joining us in our Vancouver office in 1994. Joyce’s professional affiliations include serving as the Legislative Liaison of the Canadian Bar Association, Securities Law section; the Law Society of England and Wales; the Law Society of Hong Kong; the Law Society of British Columbia; the Canadian Bar Association; the Canada-China Business Council and the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association.

 

As Chair of the firm’s Asia Group and a regular speaker at conferences and seminars focused on business from China and the Asia Pacific region, Joyce has earned an international reputation as an authority in her field.

 

 

 

Angelina Li
Vice-President, North Shore, Commercial Financial Services
RBC Royal Bank of Canada

 

Angelina Li is the Vice President of Commercial Financial Services at RBC, where she leads a team supporting businesses across a wide range of industries in Greater Vancouver. In her current role, Angelina empowers her team to drive client growth by delivering tailored financial solutions – including M&A, commercial real estate financing, cash management, foreign exchange, and trade finance.

 

Prior to her current position, Angelina served as Vice President in RBC’s Corporate Client Group, where she specialized in arranging syndicated loan solutions for Canadian private companies and small-cap publicly traded companies. Earlier, she led a nationally top-ranked team as Vice President, Financing Specialists, earning the RBC Leadership Award for her outstanding contributions.

 

Outside of work, Angelina volunteers as a Mentor with the UBC Executive Mentorship Program, where she supports immigrant students in finding their career path and navigating professional opportunities in Canada. She is fluent in English and Mandarin and passionate about giving back to the community. Angelina holds a Master of Business Administration with studies at the Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia, and completed exchange programs at Yale School of Management and the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford. She also holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a specialization in Finance and Entrepreneurship from UBC.

 

 

Andy McCaughren
Director, Trade Finance
RBC Royal Bank of Canada

 

Andy has over 20 years’ experience in structuring Trade Finance and working capital facilities for a wide range of industries.

 

He has worked with clients from start-up level to international corporates in both his native London (UK) for HSBC and RBC in Canada, where he currently works with businesses in BC and the Prairies advising on international trade strategy, risk mitigation, and cash flow optimization.

 

 

Beau Olmstead
Vice President, Commercial Financial Services
RBC Royal Bank of Canada

 

Beau has been with RBC Royal Bank since 1997, engaged in both the commercial banking and capital markets sides of financial services. He has covered many sectors including residential and commercial real estate construction, industrial manufacturing, consumer retail, diversified industries, health, and the public sector. Beau currently leads the Commercial Banking business for RBC in the Richmond / South Delta markets.

 

Beau is a member of various associations: Director of the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Association – BC Division (Policy Committee member); past Director of the Delta Chamber of Commerce (Chair – Governance Committee; Finance Committee member); past Board Member/Treasurer of the South Delta Minor Hockey Association; and past hockey coach.

 

Before joining RBC in Victoria, Beau completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree, specializing in International Business, at the University of Victoria, in conjunction with Kanagawa University in Yokohama, Japan. In addition, Beau completed his Master of Business Administration at Royal Roads University.

 

Beau lives in Tsawwassen with his wife and two young adult children.