Canada's Next Chapter in the Indo-Pacific

28 October 2025 | 8:30AM - 5:00 PM EDT | 150 Elgin St, Suite 1800, Ottawa, ON, K2P 2P8

SYNOPSIS

On October 28th 2025, the Canadian Global Affairs Institute hosted a full-day conference to consider the role of energy for Canada’s ties to the Indo-Pacific. Areas of focus included infrastructure opportunities, the perspectives of Indo-Pacific countries, and Canadian energy sovereignty.

Public sessions featuring foreign, provincial, and industry representatives were followed by three Chatham House Rule panels to discuss the open questions and possible policy solutions about Canada's role for energy in the Indo-Pacific.

Conference speakers included:

Trans Mountain CEO Mark Maki
PETRONAS Canada CEO Hafiz Zubir
Instutite of Energy Economics Japan Visiting Fellow Jun Nishizawa
High Commissioner of Malaysia Dr. Shazelina Z. Abidin
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers CEO Lisa Baiton
President of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada Terry Hubbard
Assistant Deputy Minister, Fuels at NRCan Erin O'Brien

Post-Conference Policy Paper, "Canada’s Energy Future in the Indo-Pacific"

Post-Conference Report

Conference Program Document

PROGRAM

8:00 - 8:30AM Breakfast and Networking Reception

8:30 - 8:40AM Opening Remarks

David Perry, CEO, Canadian Global Affairs Institute
Derek Masters, Manager, Infrastructure, Capital Projects, and Sustainability team, KPMG Canada

8:40 - 8:55AM Keynote Speech - Aligning Canadian Energy Sovereignty with Indigenous Opportunity (Public)

Ellis Ross, MP for Skeena—Bulkley Valley and former Elected Chief Councilor of Haisla Nation

Energy Security Cubed Podcast ft. Elis Ross

8:55 - 9:25AM Presentation: Current State of Energy in the Indo-Pacific (Public)

Jun Nishizawa, Visiting Fellow, Institute of Energy Economics, Japan

Presentation Slides

Energy Security Cubed Podcast ft. Jun Nishizawa

9:25 - 10:45AM Panel: Insights from the Indo-Pacific on Energy Needs (Public)

H.E. Dr. Shazelina Z. Abidin, High Commissioner of Malaysia
Mr. Hideaki Ishii, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Canada
Dr. Quynh Tran, Chief Trade Representative of Vietnam to Canada
Ms. Hejin Kim, Minister-Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Canada
Moderator: Joe Calnan, VP Energy and Calgary Operations, CGAI

Energy Security Cubed Podcast featuring Indo-Pacific Representatives Panel

10:45AM - 10:55AM Coffee Break

10:55AM - 11:30AM CEO Fireside Chat: PETRONAS Canada (Public)

Hafiz Zubir, CEO, Petronas Canada
Moderator: Joe Calnan, VP Energy and Calgary Operations, CGAI

Energy Security Cubed Podcast ft. Hafiz Zubir

11:30AM - 12:00PM Fireside Chat: B.C.'s Perspective on Trans-Pacific Resources (Public)

David Nikolejsin, Strategic Advisor at McCarthy Tetrault and former Govt of British Columbia Deputy Minister
Moderator: Monica Gattinger, CGAI Fellow and Chair of Positive Energy at the University of Ottawa

Energy Security Cubed Podcast ft. David Nikolejsin

12:00 - 12:45PM Networking Luncheon

12:45 – 1:15PM CEO Fireside Chat: The Trans Mountain Pipeline (Public)

Mark Maki, CEO, Trans Mountain Corporation
Moderator: Rory Johnston, CGAI Fellow and Founder, Commodity Context

Energy Security Cubed Podcast ft. Mark Maki

1:15 - 2:15PM Panel: The Impact of Energy Infrastructure to the Pacific (Chatham House Rule)

Jennifer Pierce, Chief Administrative Officer, Trans Mountain Corporation
Lisa Baiton, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (Tentative)
Terence Hubbard, President, Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
Moderator: Tim Shaw, Manager, Public Affairs, Tourmaline Oil

2:15 - 2:30PM Coffee Break

2:30 - 3:30PM Panel: Aligning Infrastructure and Finance with Foreign Policy Goals (Chatham House Rule)

Kathleen Gnocato, CGAI Fellow
Erin O’Brien, ADM Fuels, Natural Resources Canada
Monica Gattinger, CGAI Fellow and Chair of Positive Energy at the University of Ottawa
Moderator: Joe Calnan, VP Energy and Calgary Operations, CGAI

3:30 - 4:30PM Panel: Visions for Future Canada-Pacific Energy Ties (Chatham House Rule)