{"id":86505,"date":"2026-01-23T09:23:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T14:23:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ccbc.com\/?p=86505"},"modified":"2026-01-27T10:47:03","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T15:47:03","slug":"new-year-new-connections-ccbc-2026-new-year-networking-cocktail-reception","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ccbc.com\/fr\/ccbc-past-events\/new-year-new-connections-ccbc-2026-new-year-networking-cocktail-reception\/","title":{"rendered":"New Year, New Connections: CCBC 2026 New Year Networking Cocktail Reception"},"content":{"rendered":"[et_pb_section fb_built=\u00a0\u00bb1″ fullwidth=\u00a0\u00bbon\u00a0\u00bb disabled_on=\u00a0\u00bbon|on|off\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.16″ background_image=\u00a0\u00bbhttps:\/\/ccbc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/hero-single-event-1.jpg\u00a0\u00bb custom_padding=\u00a0\u00bb||75px|\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title author=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb comments=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb featured_image=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb text_color=\u00a0\u00bblight\u00a0\u00bb disabled_on=\u00a0\u00bboff|off|\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.16″ background_size=\u00a0\u00bbinitial\u00a0\u00bb background_position=\u00a0\u00bbtop_left\u00a0\u00bb background_repeat=\u00a0\u00bbrepeat\u00a0\u00bb text_orientation=\u00a0\u00bbcenter\u00a0\u00bb custom_padding=\u00a0\u00bb50px|||\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][\/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=\u00a0\u00bb1″ fullwidth=\u00a0\u00bbon\u00a0\u00bb disabled_on=\u00a0\u00bb||on\u00a0\u00bb admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbSection\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.16″ background_image=\u00a0\u00bbhttps:\/\/ccbc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/hero-single-event-1.jpg\u00a0\u00bb custom_padding=\u00a0\u00bb||75px|\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title author=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb comments=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb featured_image=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb text_color=\u00a0\u00bblight\u00a0\u00bb disabled_on=\u00a0\u00bboff|off|\u00a0\u00bb admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbFullwidth Post Title – mobile \u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.16″ title_font_size=\u00a0\u00bb18px\u00a0\u00bb background_size=\u00a0\u00bbinitial\u00a0\u00bb background_position=\u00a0\u00bbtop_left\u00a0\u00bb background_repeat=\u00a0\u00bbrepeat\u00a0\u00bb text_orientation=\u00a0\u00bbcenter\u00a0\u00bb custom_padding=\u00a0\u00bb50px|||\u00a0\u00bb title_font_size_tablet=\u00a0\u00bb\u00a0\u00bb title_font_size_phone=\u00a0\u00bb\u00a0\u00bb title_font_size_last_edited=\u00a0\u00bbon|tablet\u00a0\u00bb z_index_tablet=\u00a0\u00bb500″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\u00a0\u00bb0px\u00a0\u00bb title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\u00a0\u00bb0px\u00a0\u00bb title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\u00a0\u00bb1px\u00a0\u00bb meta_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\u00a0\u00bb0px\u00a0\u00bb meta_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\u00a0\u00bb0px\u00a0\u00bb meta_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\u00a0\u00bb1px\u00a0\u00bb box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=\u00a0\u00bb0px\u00a0\u00bb box_shadow_vertical_tablet=\u00a0\u00bb0px\u00a0\u00bb box_shadow_blur_tablet=\u00a0\u00bb40px\u00a0\u00bb box_shadow_spread_tablet=\u00a0\u00bb0px\u00a0\u00bb text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=\u00a0\u00bb0px\u00a0\u00bb text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=\u00a0\u00bb0px\u00a0\u00bb text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=\u00a0\u00bb1px\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][\/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=\u00a0\u00bb1″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb column_structure=\u00a0\u00bb1_2,1_2″][et_pb_column _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb type=\u00a0\u00bb1_2″][et_pb_text admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbEvent Description\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]\n

The Canada China Business Council hosted its 2026 New Year Networking Cocktail Reception on January 22 in Toronto, bringing together members and invited guests for an evening of insight, exchange, and forward-looking dialogue at the outset of the year.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The program featured timely remarks on Canada\u2019s economic outlook and perspectives on the evolving Canada\u2013China relationship, delivered by a distinguished group of speakers, including Luo Weidong, Consul General of the Chinese Consulate General in Toronto; Thomas J. Timmins, Partner at Gowling WLG; Farah Omran, Senior Economist at Scotiabank; Bijan Ahmadi, Executive Director and COO, Canada China Business Council; and Jeff Zhang, Regional Director, Central Canada, Canada China Business Council.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=\u00a0\u00bb86627,86630,86636,86642,86648,86591,86633,86645″ posts_number=\u00a0\u00bb10″ show_title_and_caption=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb show_pagination=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb type=\u00a0\u00bb1_2″][et_pb_heading title=\u00a0\u00bbWatch the recap of the event\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb title_level=\u00a0\u00bbh3″ hover_enabled=\u00a0\u00bb0″ sticky_enabled=\u00a0\u00bb0″ title_text_align=\u00a0\u00bbcenter\u00a0\u00bb][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_video src=\u00a0\u00bbhttps:\/\/youtube.com\/shorts\/_gZZL3nyc20?si=kLzYXkMCTTK8rdgv\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb hover_enabled=\u00a0\u00bb0″ sticky_enabled=\u00a0\u00bb0″][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_text admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbEvent Description\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]\n

A highlight of the evening was the series of member self-introductions, with 15 CCBC member organizations sharing brief overviews of their activities and priorities. Representing sectors such as education, professional and advisory services, retail and consumer goods, logistics and supply chains, financial and tax services, food and beverage manufacturing, consumer products, and financial technology, participating members reflected the diversity of the CCBC network and helped set the context for the cocktail reception that followed, supporting more targeted and meaningful networking and deeper business conversations.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=\u00a0\u00bb86543,86546,86549,86552,86555,86558,86561,86564,86567,86570,86573,86576,86579,86582,86585″ posts_number=\u00a0\u00bb50″ show_title_and_caption=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb show_pagination=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][\/et_pb_gallery][et_pb_text admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbEvent Description\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]\n

CCBC extends its thanks to Gowling WLG for serving as venue host and to Scotiabank for sponsoring the event.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We look forward to continuing these discussions and welcoming members to future CCBC programs in 2026.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=\u00a0\u00bb86516,86606,86519,86522,86525,86513,86528,86531,86534,86537,86594,86600,86540,86603,86609,86612,86615,86618,86621,86624,86639″ posts_number=\u00a0\u00bb50″ show_title_and_caption=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb show_pagination=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb type=\u00a0\u00bb4_4″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column 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_builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb title_level=\u00a0\u00bbh4″ global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_image src=\u00a0\u00bbhttps:\/\/ccbc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Gowling-WLG-logo.jpg\u00a0\u00bb title_text=\u00a0\u00bbGowling WLG logo\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb1_2″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_heading title=\u00a0\u00bbSponsor\u00a0\u00bb admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbSponsor\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb title_level=\u00a0\u00bbh4″ global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_image src=\u00a0\u00bbhttps:\/\/ccbc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Scotia-Bank-Logo.jpg\u00a0\u00bb title_text=\u00a0\u00bbScotia Bank Logo\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_heading title=\u00a0\u00bbSpeakers:\u00a0\u00bb admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbSpeakers\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb title_level=\u00a0\u00bbh3″ global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=\u00a0\u00bb1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb1_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_image src=\u00a0\u00bbhttps:\/\/ccbc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Luo-Weidong-square.jpg\u00a0\u00bb title_text=\u00a0\u00bbOlivier Gervais\u00a0\u00bb show_bottom_space=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb align=\u00a0\u00bbcenter\u00a0\u00bb align_tablet=\u00a0\u00bbcenter\u00a0\u00bb align_phone=\u00a0\u00bb\u00a0\u00bb align_last_edited=\u00a0\u00bbon|desktop\u00a0\u00bb admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbImage – LUO Weidong\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ animation_direction=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb border_style_all=\u00a0\u00bbsolid\u00a0\u00bb border_style=\u00a0\u00bbsolid\u00a0\u00bb animation=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb sticky=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]\n

\n <\/p>\n[\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb3_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_text admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbPosition – LUO Weidong\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ custom_margin=\u00a0\u00bb||||false|false\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]\n

LUO Weidong<\/span><\/strong>
Consul General
<\/em>Chinese Consulate General in Toronto<\/em><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=\u00a0\u00bbBiography\u00a0\u00bb open_toggle_text_color=\u00a0\u00bb#141011″ open_toggle_background_color=\u00a0\u00bb#FFFFFF\u00a0\u00bb closed_toggle_text_color=\u00a0\u00bb#b2b2b2″ closed_toggle_background_color=\u00a0\u00bb#FFFFFF\u00a0\u00bb icon_color=\u00a0\u00bb#e3002b\u00a0\u00bb open_icon_color=\u00a0\u00bb#e3002b\u00a0\u00bb admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbBiography – LUO Weidong\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ title_font_size=\u00a0\u00bb14″ body_text_color=\u00a0\u00bb#141011″ body_font_size=\u00a0\u00bb15″ border_color_all=\u00a0\u00bb#cccccc\u00a0\u00bb border_style_all=\u00a0\u00bbsolid\u00a0\u00bb use_border_color=\u00a0\u00bbon\u00a0\u00bb border_color=\u00a0\u00bb#cccccc\u00a0\u00bb border_style=\u00a0\u00bbsolid\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]\n

Mr. LUO Weidong was born in December 1967 and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree.<\/p>\n

He began his career in 1990 in the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, which is now the Ministry of Commerce of the People\u2019s Republic of China.<\/p>\n

He assumed his role as Consul General of the People\u2019s\u2002Republic of China in Toronto in September 2023.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=\u00a0\u00bb1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb1_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_image src=\u00a0\u00bbhttps:\/\/ccbc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Thomas-Timmins-low-res.png\u00a0\u00bb show_bottom_space=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb align=\u00a0\u00bbcenter\u00a0\u00bb align_tablet=\u00a0\u00bbcenter\u00a0\u00bb align_phone=\u00a0\u00bb\u00a0\u00bb align_last_edited=\u00a0\u00bbon|desktop\u00a0\u00bb disabled_on=\u00a0\u00bboff|off|off\u00a0\u00bb admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbImage – Thomas Timmins\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ animation_direction=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb border_style_all=\u00a0\u00bbsolid\u00a0\u00bb border_style=\u00a0\u00bbsolid\u00a0\u00bb animation=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb sticky=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]\n

\n <\/p>\n[\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbPosition – Board Director\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ text_font_size=\u00a0\u00bb10px\u00a0\u00bb custom_margin=\u00a0\u00bb||||false|false\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]\n

Board Director of CCBC<\/span><\/strong>
<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb3_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_text admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbPosition – Thomas Timmins\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ custom_margin=\u00a0\u00bb||||false|false\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]\n

Thomas J. Timmins<\/span><\/strong>
Partner
Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP<\/em><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=\u00a0\u00bbBiography\u00a0\u00bb open_toggle_text_color=\u00a0\u00bb#141011″ open_toggle_background_color=\u00a0\u00bb#FFFFFF\u00a0\u00bb closed_toggle_text_color=\u00a0\u00bb#b2b2b2″ closed_toggle_background_color=\u00a0\u00bb#FFFFFF\u00a0\u00bb icon_color=\u00a0\u00bb#e3002b\u00a0\u00bb open_icon_color=\u00a0\u00bb#e3002b\u00a0\u00bb disabled_on=\u00a0\u00bboff|off|off\u00a0\u00bb admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbBiography – Thomas Timmins\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ title_font_size=\u00a0\u00bb14″ body_text_color=\u00a0\u00bb#141011″ body_font_size=\u00a0\u00bb15″ border_color_all=\u00a0\u00bb#cccccc\u00a0\u00bb border_style_all=\u00a0\u00bbsolid\u00a0\u00bb use_border_color=\u00a0\u00bbon\u00a0\u00bb border_color=\u00a0\u00bb#cccccc\u00a0\u00bb border_style=\u00a0\u00bbsolid\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]\n

Tom Timmins (\u8c2d\u6c11\u601d) is a senior projects lawyer based in Canada focused primarily on renewable energy projects and the global energy transition. He leads the Energy Sector Practice at Gowling WLG Canada. Named a ‘Leading Lawyer’ by The Legal 500 Canada<\/em> and Who’s Who Legal<\/em>, Mr. Timmins serves as a Board member of the Canadian Ditchley Foundation, as an advisor at the Centre for Urban Energy at Metropolitan Toronto University, as a member of the Legal Committee of Transparency International and on several public and private boards. He also teaches Infrastructure and Project Finance Law and serves as an adjudicator under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement. Mr. Timmins served as the Leader of Gowling WLG Canada\u2019s highly successful China Practice between 2016-2024.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=\u00a0\u00bb1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb1_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_image src=\u00a0\u00bbhttps:\/\/ccbc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Farah-Omran-e1769096969348.jpg\u00a0\u00bb title_text=\u00a0\u00bbFarah Omran\u00a0\u00bb show_bottom_space=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb align=\u00a0\u00bbcenter\u00a0\u00bb align_tablet=\u00a0\u00bbcenter\u00a0\u00bb align_phone=\u00a0\u00bb\u00a0\u00bb align_last_edited=\u00a0\u00bbon|desktop\u00a0\u00bb admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbImage – Farah Omran
\n\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ animation_direction=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb border_style_all=\u00a0\u00bbsolid\u00a0\u00bb border_style=\u00a0\u00bbsolid\u00a0\u00bb animation=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb sticky=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]\n

\n <\/p>\n[\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb3_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_text admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbPosition – Farah Omran\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ custom_margin=\u00a0\u00bb||||false|false\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]\n

Farah Omran<\/span><\/strong>
Senior Economist
<\/em>Scotiabank<\/em><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=\u00a0\u00bbBiography\u00a0\u00bb open_toggle_text_color=\u00a0\u00bb#141011″ open_toggle_background_color=\u00a0\u00bb#FFFFFF\u00a0\u00bb closed_toggle_text_color=\u00a0\u00bb#b2b2b2″ closed_toggle_background_color=\u00a0\u00bb#FFFFFF\u00a0\u00bb icon_color=\u00a0\u00bb#e3002b\u00a0\u00bb open_icon_color=\u00a0\u00bb#e3002b\u00a0\u00bb admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbBiography – Farah Omran\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ title_font_size=\u00a0\u00bb14″ body_text_color=\u00a0\u00bb#141011″ body_font_size=\u00a0\u00bb15″ border_color_all=\u00a0\u00bb#cccccc\u00a0\u00bb border_style_all=\u00a0\u00bbsolid\u00a0\u00bb use_border_color=\u00a0\u00bbon\u00a0\u00bb border_color=\u00a0\u00bb#cccccc\u00a0\u00bb border_style=\u00a0\u00bbsolid\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]\n

Farah Omran joined Scotiabank Economics in 2021, working with the team on macroeconomic forecasting and stress testing as a primary responsibility. Farah joined Scotiabank after having spent some time as a policy analyst at the C.D. Howe Institute. Farah holds a Master\u2019s Degree in Economics from the University of Toronto, where she was a fellow at Massey College.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=\u00a0\u00bb1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb1_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_image src=\u00a0\u00bbhttps:\/\/ccbc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Bijan-Ahmadi-square.jpeg\u00a0\u00bb show_bottom_space=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb align=\u00a0\u00bbcenter\u00a0\u00bb align_tablet=\u00a0\u00bbcenter\u00a0\u00bb align_phone=\u00a0\u00bb\u00a0\u00bb align_last_edited=\u00a0\u00bbon|desktop\u00a0\u00bb admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbImage – Bijan Ahmadi\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ animation_direction=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb border_style_all=\u00a0\u00bbsolid\u00a0\u00bb border_style=\u00a0\u00bbsolid\u00a0\u00bb animation=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb sticky=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]\n

\n <\/p>\n[\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb3_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_text admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbPosition – Bijan Ahmadi\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ custom_margin=\u00a0\u00bb||||false|false\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]\n

Bijan Ahmadi<\/span><\/strong>
Executive Director & COO
<\/em>Canada China Business Council<\/em><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=\u00a0\u00bbBiography\u00a0\u00bb open_toggle_text_color=\u00a0\u00bb#141011″ open_toggle_background_color=\u00a0\u00bb#FFFFFF\u00a0\u00bb closed_toggle_text_color=\u00a0\u00bb#b2b2b2″ closed_toggle_background_color=\u00a0\u00bb#FFFFFF\u00a0\u00bb icon_color=\u00a0\u00bb#e3002b\u00a0\u00bb open_icon_color=\u00a0\u00bb#e3002b\u00a0\u00bb admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbBiography – Bijan Ahmadi\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ title_font_size=\u00a0\u00bb14″ body_text_color=\u00a0\u00bb#141011″ body_font_size=\u00a0\u00bb15″ border_color_all=\u00a0\u00bb#cccccc\u00a0\u00bb border_style_all=\u00a0\u00bbsolid\u00a0\u00bb use_border_color=\u00a0\u00bbon\u00a0\u00bb border_color=\u00a0\u00bb#cccccc\u00a0\u00bb border_style=\u00a0\u00bbsolid\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]\n

Bijan Ahmadi is the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Canada China Business Council (CCBC), where he leads the Council\u2019s strategic direction, operations, and programming across all seven chapters in Canada and China. In this capacity, he also serves on CCBC\u2019s Board of Directors and its Executive Committee.<\/p>\n

As a recognized voice in Canada\u2013China relations, Bijan works closely with senior executives, policymakers, and institutional partners to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties, advance member services, and position Canadian companies for success in the Chinese market. His work focuses on translating policy and regulatory developments into practical insights for business leaders and supporting high-level commercial engagement between the two countries.<\/p>\n

Prior to joining CCBC, Bijan co-founded and served as Executive Director of the Institute for Peace & Diplomacy (IPD) from 2018 to 2024, where he helped build the organization into a respected binational foreign policy think tank operating in Canada and the United States. During this period, he launched IPD\u2019s Asia research program and its annual flagship conference, the Indo-Pacific Strategy Forum (IPSF) in Ottawa, now widely regarded as Canada\u2019s leading platform for policy and economic dialogue on the Asia-Pacific region. He was also co-editor of Canada\u2013China Brief, an online policy publication covering political and economic developments in the bilateral relationship.<\/p>\n

Throughout his work on China, Bijan has advised multinational corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises on navigating Canada\u2013China trade, regulatory, and policy environments. He has led Track 2 and Track 1.5 dialogue initiatives in partnership with Chinese, Canadian and American institutions and he regularly delivers lectures and professional training on Canada\u2013China economic relations for public and private sector audiences.<\/p>\n

Bijan also serves on the Advisory Board of the Canada China Forum, a platform dedicated to nurturing the next generation of China-competent Canadian professionals.<\/p>\n

He holds a Master\u2019s degree in Global Diplomacy from SOAS University of London and a Master of Applied Science from the University of Toronto. Earlier in his career, he worked in strategy and management roles in the financial services and real estate sectors and has served on the boards of several Canadian non-profits and NGOs, including the Toronto branch of the Canadian International Council.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=\u00a0\u00bb1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb1_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_image src=\u00a0\u00bbhttps:\/\/ccbc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Jeff-Zhang-photo-.jpg\u00a0\u00bb show_bottom_space=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb align=\u00a0\u00bbcenter\u00a0\u00bb align_tablet=\u00a0\u00bbcenter\u00a0\u00bb align_phone=\u00a0\u00bb\u00a0\u00bb align_last_edited=\u00a0\u00bbon|desktop\u00a0\u00bb disabled_on=\u00a0\u00bboff|off|off\u00a0\u00bb admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbImage – Jeff Zhang\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ animation_direction=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb border_style_all=\u00a0\u00bbsolid\u00a0\u00bb border_style=\u00a0\u00bbsolid\u00a0\u00bb animation=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb sticky=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]\n

\n <\/p>\n[\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb3_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_text admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbPosition – Jeff Zhang\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ custom_margin=\u00a0\u00bb||||false|false\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]\n

Jeff Zhang<\/span><\/strong>
Regional Director, Central Canada (ON, QC, MB) <\/em>
Canada China Business Council<\/em><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_toggle title=\u00a0\u00bbBiography\u00a0\u00bb open_toggle_text_color=\u00a0\u00bb#141011″ open_toggle_background_color=\u00a0\u00bb#FFFFFF\u00a0\u00bb closed_toggle_text_color=\u00a0\u00bb#b2b2b2″ closed_toggle_background_color=\u00a0\u00bb#FFFFFF\u00a0\u00bb icon_color=\u00a0\u00bb#e3002b\u00a0\u00bb open_icon_color=\u00a0\u00bb#e3002b\u00a0\u00bb disabled_on=\u00a0\u00bboff|off|off\u00a0\u00bb admin_label=\u00a0\u00bbBiography – Jeff Zhang\u00a0\u00bb _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.5″ title_font_size=\u00a0\u00bb14″ body_text_color=\u00a0\u00bb#141011″ body_font_size=\u00a0\u00bb15″ border_color_all=\u00a0\u00bb#cccccc\u00a0\u00bb border_style_all=\u00a0\u00bbsolid\u00a0\u00bb use_border_color=\u00a0\u00bbon\u00a0\u00bb border_color=\u00a0\u00bb#cccccc\u00a0\u00bb border_style=\u00a0\u00bbsolid\u00a0\u00bb locked=\u00a0\u00bboff\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]\n

Jeff has over 20 years of international experience in private, public and non-profit organizations in a variety of sectors including E-commerce, oil and gas, retail, commercial real estate, education and financial services. Prior to joining CCBC, Jeff worked in establishment and operation management at a Sino-Foreign joint venture company and in strategic partnership management at a Fortune 500 multinational company. He also led and assisted a number of Canadian companies and educational institutions into China where he was responsible for strategic partnerships and branding establishment.<\/p>\n

Jeff has an MBA in marketing and international business from Concordia University in Montreal and is fluent in Mandarin and English. He has also been a guest speaker at professional business associations in China and Canada.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Canada China Business Council hosted its 2026 New Year Networking Cocktail Reception on January 22 in Toronto, bringing together members and invited guests for an evening of insight, exchange, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1687,"featured_media":86627,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[176],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-86505","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ccbc-past-events"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccbc.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86505","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccbc.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccbc.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccbc.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1687"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccbc.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=86505"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/ccbc.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86505\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":86729,"href":"https:\/\/ccbc.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86505\/revisions\/86729"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccbc.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/86627"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccbc.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=86505"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccbc.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=86505"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccbc.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=86505"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}