[SOLD OUT] Unlock Investment Opportunities in Canada (Toronto)

The Canada China Business Council, in collaboration with Scotia Wealth Management, is pleased to host an exclusive event designed to provide entrepreneurs and business owners with insights and strategic guidance on investing in Canada. This event brings together experts and thought leaders from diverse sectors to explore current market trends, emerging opportunities, and cross-border investment strategies. Click here to register.

Featured presentations: A Market Outlook discussion on investment opportunities and sector considerations in Canada during periods of market uncertainty, featuring thought leaders from Scotia Wealth Management’s Global Investment Solutions team.

• Catherine Payne, Managing Director, Global Fixed Income; Portfolio Manager, Scotiabank
• Swanzy Quarshie, Managing Director, Global Equities; Portfolio Manager, Scotiabank
• Warren Hastings, Managing Director, Canadian Investment Strategy; Portfolio Manager, Scotiabank

In addition, Mr. Bernard He, CEO and President of Bright Mega Group, will share his in-depth insights into the primary markets—including Pre-IPO, IPO, RTO, CPC, and SPAC – across both Canadian capital markets (CSE, TSX, CBOE) and U.S. capital markets (Nasdaq, NYSE, OTC). With over 20 years of experience in the investment and finance industry, Mr. Bernard He will discuss real-world success stories, offering practical guidance for investors and entrepreneurs looking to seize market opportunities.

Furthermore, Mr. Jack Yu, Partner of FASKEN will talk about recent trends in Chinese investments into Canada, as well as the typical process of making investments through establishing new Canadian business or acquiring existing Canadian business.

Mr. John McCartney, Senior Vice President, Managing Director and Head, ScotiaMcLeod of Scotia Wealth Management will make the Closing Remarks.

Tickets:
CCBC Members: Free (maximum 2 tickets per member)
Non-Members: $100 + tax
Capacity is limited and registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to CCBC members.

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

Address:
Scotiabank North Tower at Bay Adelaide Centre
40 Temperance St, 10th Floor
Toronto, ON
M5H 0B4

Agenda:
9:00 am – 9:30 am EDT: Registration
9:30 am – 11:15 am EDT: Presentations
11:15 am – 11:45 am EDT: Networking
11:50 am EDT: Event Ends

About the Speakers:

Catherine Payne, CFA
Managing Director, Global Fixed Income; Portfolio Manager
Scotiabank

In August, 2024, Catherine Payne joined Global Investment Solutions, assuming leadership of the global fixed income team. Ms. Payne was previously in Scotiabank Global Banking & Markets where for the prior two years she was Director, Credit Strategy for Credit Sales & Trading. Ms. Payne has 25+ years of buy- and sell-side fixed income experience across pension plans, institutional and mutual fund management. She has expertise in capital markets, fixed income strategy and portfolio management that spans global sovereigns, corporate and structured credit/securitization, convertible bonds, preferred shares and equities.

Ms. Payne graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts degree and is a CFA charterholder.

Swanzy Quarshie, CFA
Managing Director, Global Equities; Portfolio Manager
Scotiabank

Swanzy Quarshie has 20 years of experience in a range of financial industry roles, including institutional equity sales, buy-side research and portfolio management, and multi-manager research and analysis. Ms. Quarshie joined GIS in August, 2024, and assumed leadership of GIS’ global equity team in January, 2025. Prior to GIS, Ms. Quarshie spent six years as a Director on Scotiabank Global Banking & Markets’ institutional equity sales desk with roles in generalist sales and energy specialist sales.  Before that, Ms. Quarshie spent a decade at a leading asset management firm, including over five years as an energy portfolio manager.

Warren Hastings, CFA
Managing Director, Canadian Investment Strategy; Portfolio Manager
Scotiabank

Warren Hastings’s career in the financial industry began in 2005. He joined Global Investment Solutions (formerly the Global Portfolio Advisory Group) in 2013 and is currently responsible for the management and oversight of the group’s Canadian investment strategy team. Prior to joining GIS, Mr. Hastings was an equity research associate with Scotiabank Global Banking and Markets, assisting with the coverage of North American telecom and cable companies since 2005.

Prior to joining Scotiabank, Mr. Hastings held various positions at Lucent Technologies, Inc. Mr. Hastings is a CFA charterholder and holds an MBA degree from Queen’s University and a BSc. degree in engineering science from the University of Toronto.

Bernard He
CEO and President
Bright Mega Group

Mr. Bernard He is a distinguished advisor and merchant banker with over 20 years of extensive experience in international business and investment banking. Since 2012, he has strategically invested in a diverse array of industries, including mining, consumer packaged goods (CPG), and agriculture. His astute investment acumen and strategic foresight have established him as a prominent figure in both Canadian and Chinese business circles.

Mr. He possesses an intimate knowledge of the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE). His robust network and influential connections span across Canada and China, underscoring his pivotal role in international finance.

In addition to his investment prowess, Mr. He is the founder and proprietor of several prestigious clubs in Toronto, including the Fame Club, a distinguished wine club, and an exclusive golf club. He is an active member of the Canada China Business Council (CCBC) and the Chinese Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCCC), as well as the Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs (ACCE).

Mr. He’s contributions to the business community have been widely recognized. In 2014, he was honored with the “Best Asia Pacific Business Award,” a testament to his exceptional impact and leadership in the region. His academic credentials are equally impressive; he holds a Master’s degree from the University of International Business and Economics, an MBA from HEC Paris, and a DEA from Paris, France.

This combination of extensive experience, strategic investment, and strong international connections positions Mr. He as a formidable force in the world of finance, reminiscent of the leading bankers on Wall Street.

Jack Yu
Partner; Co-Leader, China Practice Group
Fasken
Board Director
Canada China Business Council

Jack Yu (于华洲) is an experienced business lawyer, with a focus on private mergers & acquisition and cross-border transactions. Mr. Yu has advised clients on over several billion dollars of M&A, private equity, corporate reorganization, and complex commercial transactions, spanning across multiple industries and sectors.

As Co-Leader of the firm’s China Practice Group, Mr. Yu regularly travels to China and is actively involved in the Asian legal community in Canada. He is often relied on by Chinese clients both from overseas and in Canada for sophisticated transactions and day-to-day legal issues. Mr. Yu also has experience in the foreign investments review process in Canada.

Prior to attending law school, Mr. Yu earned an undergraduate degree in biochemistry and philosophy from the University of Toronto. He is on the Board of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers, Ontario Chapter. Born and raised in Jinan, Shandong, Mr. Yu is fluent in Mandarin.

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.

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.