Join us on May 28 in Calgary for a dynamic Canada-China panel discussion and networking reception. This event will bring together industry leaders, key stakeholders, and decision-makers to exchange insights on the evolving Canada-China relationship. Distinguished speakers will share their perspectives on the shifting political and business landscape, exploring opportunities for collaboration and addressing critical issues affecting trade, investment, and economic partnerships.

The program will open with remarks from ZHAO Liyang, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Calgary, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Bijan Ahmadi, CCBC’s new Executive Director and COO. Panelists include Carlo Dade, Director of International Policy at the University of Calgary and Senior Fellow at the Canada West Foundation; Joyce Lee, Partner at McCarthy Tétrault and CCBC Board Member; Philippe Rheault, Director of The China Institute at the University of Alberta; and Chris White, President and CEO of the Canadian Meat Council and Canada Pork.

Attendees will gain key insights into recent policy changes and strategies for navigating the evolving Canada-China business landscape. The networking reception provides a great opportunity to connect with professionals and strengthen bilateral ties. Don’t miss the chance to engage with industry experts, discuss future business opportunities, and meet the new CCBC Executive Director.

Tickets:
CCBC Members: $25 + tax; Non-Members: $80 + tax
Capacity is limited and registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to CCBC members. Click here to register.

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

Address:
McCarthy Tétrault LLP
421 7th Avenue SW, Suite 4000
Calgary, AB
T2P 4K9

For inquiries, please contact Lotta Ygartua at lotta@ccbc.com.

Agenda:
4:30 pm MDT: Registration
5:00 pm MDT: Remarks and Panel Discussion
6:20 pm MDT: Networking
7:15 pm MDT: Event ends

About the Speakers:

ZHAO Liying
Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Calgary

ZHAO Liying assumed her duties as Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Calgary in January 2023. Ms. ZHAO is a career diplomat and has served in the Chinese diplomatic missions in Greece, Canada, Croatia and Egypt.

Bijan Ahmadi
Executive Director and COO
Canada China Business Council

Bijan Ahmadi serves as the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Canada China Business Council (CCBC), overseeing the operations and activities of the Council across its seven chapters in Canada and China.

Before joining CCBC, he co-founded and served as the Executive Director of the Institute for Peace & Diplomacy (IPD) from 2018 to 2024. IPD is a non-partisan think tank operating in Canada and the United States, dedicated to fostering constructive engagement and interest-based thinking in international affairs.

During his tenure at IPD, Mr. Ahmadi launched the organization’s Asia research program in 2020 and its flagship annual conference, the Indo-Pacific Strategy Forum (IPSF), in Ottawa in 2021. Today, IPSF is recognized as Canada’s premier conference on the country’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. He was also the co-editor of Canada-China Brief, a biweekly policy newsletter providing the latest developments and expert insights on political and economic relations between Ottawa and Beijing.

In his work on China, Mr. Ahmadi has advised large corporations and SMEs on navigating Canada-China trade, policy, and regulatory developments. He has also spearheaded the publication of numerous research reports on China and Canada-China relations and led Track 2 diplomacy initiatives in collaboration with Chinese and American research institutions.

Mr. Ahmadi holds a Master’s degree in Global Diplomacy from SOAS University of London and a Master of Applied Science from the University of Toronto. Before founding IPD, Mr. Ahmadi worked in strategy and management roles in the financial services and real estate sectors, where he honed his skills in organizational leadership and operational planning. He also served on the executive boards of several Canadian non-profits and NGOs, including the Toronto branch of the Canadian International Council.

Carlo Dade
Director of International Policy, The School of Public Policy
University of Calgary
Senior Fellow
Canada West Foundation

Carlo Dade is one of the country’s leading voices on defending and advancing western Canadian trade interests in Canada and abroad. His research and advocacy are playing a critical role in achieving better trade agreements and drawing attention to the often-neglected importance of the assets and systems critical to moving products to markets. He has a reputation for developing creative solutions to some of the major challenges facing Canadian exporters and defending Canadian interests in trade with China and the U.S.

A frequent media commentator and writer, Mr. Dade is a global expert on pan-Pacific trade, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Pacific Alliance trade blocs as well on agricultural issues including Right2Repair. He provides thoughtful analysis on issues surrounding North American competitiveness and Canada-Mexico relations.

CWF’s Director of Trade and Trade Infrastructure between 2013 and 2025, Mr. Dade has a long history in international public policy including as a Professional Affiliate at the Johnson Shoyama School of Public Policy at the University of Saskatchewan, as non-Resident Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., and as a member of the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations (COMEXI).

Joyce Lee
Partner
McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Board Director
Canada China Business Council

Joyce Lee 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, Ms. Lee 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.

Leadership teams from across Canada and Asia, including public companies listed on TSX, NYSE, HK Stock Exchange, Shanghai Stock Exchange, Shenzhen Stock Exchange asset management companies and investment firms, frequently solicit Ms. Lee’s advice on how to grow their business and make strategic moves in the marketplace, whether within Canada or abroad. She has earned the trust of some of the biggest players in the industry by successfully strategizing with them on:

• structuring and carrying out domestic and cross border mergers, acquisitions and reorganizations;
• advising on securities regulatory issues for registrants, investment dealers and investment advisors;
• advising on take-over bids (for both targets and offerors);
• advising on public offerings and private placements for issuers in various industries, including mining and resources, technology, real estate development, services and education;
• advising on various investment transactions of foreign companies into Canada, including joint ventures in mining and other natural resources sectors, automobile sector, forestry sector and technology sector;
• advising on investment transactions of Canadian companies into the Greater China region;
• structuring and advising on executive and employee compensation and incentive plans for Canadian and international companies; and
• advising on going private transactions, corporate governance, continuous disclosure issues and proxy contests.

L. Philippe Rheault
Director
The China Institute at the University of Alberta

L. Philippe Rheault takes on the leadership of The China Institute following a 25-year career in the Canadian diplomatic service, during which he focused primarily on China and East Asia. Over the course of his career, he has been posted to the region six times, serving in Beijing, Taipei, Chongqing (twice), Mongolia, and Guangzhou. Notably, Mr. Rheault has led two of Canada’s four diplomatic missions in Mainland China: first, as Canada’s inaugural Consul General to the southwestern metropolis of Chongqing (2012–2017), and most recently as the Consul General of Canada for South China, based in Guangzhou (Canton) (2019–2023).

Over the past two and a half decades, Mr. Rheault has witnessed China’s extraordinary rise firsthand and has been directly involved in many of the key milestones shaping the evolution of Canada-China relations. His extensive network spans China, Canada, and beyond, enabling him to advise and support a diverse cross-section of top leaders across government, business, academia, and civil society.

As the new Director of The China Institute, Mr. Rheault aims to deepen Canada’s understanding of China, examine China’s role in addressing key emerging global issues, and chart paths forward for enlightened and fruitful engagement between Canada and China. He holds degrees in Philosophy, Political Science, and Law, is a member of the Québec bar, and has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at China’s Southwest University of Political Science and Law. Mr. Rheault is frequently cited in both national and international media, has authored or co-authored several recent articles discussing Canada-China issues, teaches the advanced course on China for the Canadian Foreign Service Institute, and is professionally fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, English, and French.

Chris White
President and CEO
Canadian Meat Council, Canada Pork

Christopher White is President and CEO of the Canadian Meat Council (CMC) and Canada Pork (CP). Mr. White has been in his role at CMC since 2017 and has recently taken on a leadership role with CP as the two organizations become more unified.

Early on in his career, Mr. White spent over a decade working on Parliament Hill, including time as a special assistant to the Honourable Paul Martin, while he was the finance minister, and served as a Chief of Staff to five federal Cabinet Ministers under the governments of Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin. After leaving government, he worked in the insurance, financial and auto sector as Vice President of Government Relations. He also for a time worked for Right to Play, which built off his time working in India and Bangladesh as an administrator for a Canadian NGO.

Mr. White holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Windsor as well as a Graduate Diploma and an Honours BA from the University of Ottawa. He is a father of five and lives in Ottawa, Ontario, with his wife and children. Mr. White remains very active outside of work and he is an avid supporter of Special Olympics Canada.

Photography/Filming: By taking part in this event, you grant the Canada China Business Council full rights to use any images resulting from photography/video filming.