On June 26, 2024, CCBC hosted an online session on Canada’s science, technology, and innovation activities with China, highlighting the Government of Canada’s recent policy announcement on sensitive technology research and affiliations of concern. The event explored how this policy influenced decisions in academia and other sectors engaged in research. Attendees heard from Holly McCracken, Director of Research Security at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada; Alex Mihailidis, Ph.D., P.Eng., FCAHS, Associate Vice-President – International Partnerships & Professor, University of Toronto; and other speakers.

The conversation was moderated by Arthur Lam, former senior policy advisor to the Ministers of ISED and of International Trade, who worked on Canada’s Asia-Pacific trade strategy. The discussion shed light on technology collaboration and R&D implications between China and Canada.

Tickets:
Free for CCBC members; $50 + HST for non-members

About the Speakers:

Holly McCracken
Director, Research Security
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada; Government of Canada

Holly McCracken is a Director in the Science and Research Sector at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada responsible for the development and implementation of policies and activities related to research security. Ms. McCracken previously worked as a Manager of Canada’s Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy, and worked in various roles at the Privy Council Office and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. She has an undergraduate degree from the University of Ottawa and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Carleton University.

Arthur Lam
Partner
Nexus Strategic Consultants

Arthur Lam is a Partner at Nexus Strategic Consultants, where he helps companies scale, innovate, and thrive. He blends a passion for innovation with international business expertise to empower clients to navigate complex regulatory and geopolitical landscapes and seize growth opportunities.

With over 20 years of experience in international corporate development, government relations, and corporate strategy, Mr. Lam has a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in today’s globalized world. He held senior positions at Equifax and Brookfield Asset Management’s Bridgemarq division.

From 2017 to 2021, he served as a senior advisor to the Canadian Innovations and Trade Ministers, where he influenced government policies on innovation, international trade, foreign direct investments, and commercial regulations. He advised on the government’s Indo-Pacific trade strategy and dealt with sensitive issues such as commercial disputes with foreign governments, trade agreements, ESG issues, and export restrictions.

Mr. Lam holds an Honours B.A.Sc. in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo and an MBA from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. He is an advisor for the LGBTQ Corporate Directors Canada and Seneca College, and a mentor for CivicAction’s DiverseCity Fellows.

Alex Mihailidis, Ph.D, P.Eng., FCAHS
Associate Vice-President – International Partnerships & Professor, University of Toronto
Scientific Director, AGE-WELL Network of Centres of Excellence

Professor Mihailidis is the Associate Vice-President for International Partnerships at the University of Toronto, and the Scientific Director of the AGE-WELL Network of Centres of Excellence, which focuses on the development of new technologies and services for older adults. He is a Professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy (U of T) and in Biomedical Engineering (U of T), with a cross appointment in the Department of Computer Science (U of T).

Professor Mihailidis has been conducting research in the field of technology to support older adults for the past 24 years, having published over 250 journal papers, conference papers, and abstracts in this field. Dr. Mihailidis is also very active in the rehabilitation engineering profession, currently as the Past-President for RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America). He was also named a Fellow of RESNA in 2014, which is one of the highest honours within this field of research and practice, and a Fellow in the Canadian Academy of Health Science (CAHS) in 2021 for his contributions to the health and well-being of older Canadians.

In 2022, Dr. Mihailidis was recognized by the UN as one of the Healthy Ageing 50 – 50 leaders working to transform the world to be a better place in which to grow older.

Professor Mihailidis received a B.A.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from University of Toronto in 1996, a M.A.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering in 1998 from the University of Toronto, and a PhD in Bioengineering (Rehabilitation Engineering) in 2002 from the University of Strathclyde (Glasgow, Scotland).

Sarah Kutulakos
Executive Director and COO
Canada China Business Council

Sarah Kutulakos joined the CCBC in 2007 and has since revitalized CCBC’s role as Canada’s premier bilateral trade and investment organization. Ms. Kutulakos has re-centered the Council’s activities around providing business services, catalyzing business growth and activity, and advocating for stronger Sino-Canadian bilateral trade and investment. This has resulted in extensive public outreach activities, internal infrastructure improvements, the launch of new programs such as the Business Incubation Centre, and thriving member relations.

Prior to joining CCBC, Ms. Kutulakos worked for 11 years in marketing, product development, and management with a major multinational corporation, where she had multiple assignments involving China. Ms. Kutulakos managed worldwide product businesses that marketed to China and used China-based sources of supply. She was also involved in several projects requiring cooperation with the Chinese government. Ms. Kutulakos has led both established and start-up businesses within the context of a global corporation and has broad emerging market business experience, and has been involved in the Greater China region since the late 1980s when she lived and worked in Taiwan. There, she was the first non-Chinese employee of a local high-tech start-up firm, where she gained a deep understanding of Chinese business practices.

A fluent Mandarin speaker, Ms. Kutulakos’s interest in China began at the University of Wisconsin, where she studied Chinese, marketing, and international business. She holds an MBA in finance and operations from the Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester. She frequently speaks on China issues, including marketing, trade, investment, and Canada-China relations.