Speaker Series

Donald Campbell

Donald W. Campbell is Senior Strategy Advisor with Davis LLP. He has a lengthy background in the international arena in both the public and private secor. From 2000-2007 he was Group President at CAE Inc. His distinguished career with Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade includes serving as Deputy Miniter of Foreign Affairs and G8 Sherpa 1997-2000, Canadian Ambassador for Japan 1993-1997, Deputy Minister of International Trade 1989-1993 and Canadian Ambassador to Korea 1984-1985.

He is a Distinguished Fellow of the Asia Pacific Foundation (APF) and Co-Chair of the 26 nation Pacific Economic Cooperative Council. He currently heads an APF Task Force examining and making recommendations on Canada's investment in Asia Pacific regional institutions and agreements.  

 

From left to right:
 Donald Campbell and CDFAI Director of Programs,

Dr. David Bercuson.

Yuen Pau Woo

Yuen Pau Woo is President and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.   He is a thought leader of contemporary Asian affairs and trans-Pacific relations.  He has served on the Standing Committee of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council, and as an advisor/consultant to the World Bank, APEC, the OECD, Asian Development Bank, the Shanghai WTO Affairs Consultation Centre, and the Canadian Ditchley Foundation.  He is also on the Global Council of the Asia Society, a member of the Greater Vancouver Academy of Music, and the Mosaic Institute.  

Mr. Woo has previously worked for the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation.  He is on the editorial board of Pacific Affairs.  As one of Canada’s most respected analysts on Asia, Mr. Woo is frequently consulted by senior officials, business leaders, and civil society organizations.

Michael Novak

Michael Novak is the Executive Vice-President and a member of the Office of the President at SNC-Lavalin. Mr. Novak spoke as part of CDFAI`s Canada and the World Series: Middle East and North Africa on '40 Years of Doing Business in the Middle East and North Africa, the SNC-Lavalin Experience and perspective on the Future: Significant Challenges, Significant Opportunities.'

To listen to the speech, please click here.

From left to right:

David Silver

David Silver is a partner with Bennett Jones (Middle East) LLP.  He represents corporate clients, both inward investing and locally established companies, carrying on business in the Middle East..  David has been engaged in international practice in or related to the Middle East since 1982 and has been a resident in the region for more than 25 years. His presentation offered a short introduction to the Gulf Cooperation Council (“GCC”) and its member countries followed by a discussion on the relative ease of doing business in the GCC countries and their business culture.

From left to right:
 David Silver and CDFAI President Bob Millar.

Wendy Dobson

Margaret Cornish

On 9 March, Ms. Margaret Cornish gave the fourth and final lecture in CDFAI’s speaker series “Canada & the World: China.” As Canada now celebrates forty years of diplomatic relations with China and attempts to strengthen its strategic parternship with the country, it is increasingly important for government officials and Canadian citizens to understand China’s investment strategies related to Canada.  Margaret Cornish serves as Senior Advisor (China) and Beijing Representative of Bennett Jones Commercial Consulting Inc. In her presentation, she argued that in a changing global landscape, Chinese energy firms have emerged as key players, but little is known about their intense profit orientation, highly diversified global asset base, or managerial and technical depth. Canadian firms, she contends, need to capitalize on opportunities to sell services and access new managerial and technical networks in order to make Canada a global leader.

To listen to the speech, please click here.

From left to right:

Margaret Cornish and Bob Gibson of

Stuart & Company Limited.

Michael Bell

Former Ambassador Michael Bell is currently Paul Martin (Sr.) Senior Scholar in International Diplomacy at the University of Windsor.  He is also Co-chair of the Old City Jerusalem Initiative, a major study focussed on the future governance of the Old City.  From 1967-2003, he was a Foreign Service officer, having spent 36 years in the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, primarily focused on the Middle East.  He was Canada's Ambassador to Jordan (1987-90), Egypt (1994-98) and Israel (1990-92 and 1999-2003). He has also chaired the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq, with projects administered through the United Nations and World Bank.  He was Chief of Staff to the Right Honourable Robert Stanfield respecting the Jerusalem Embassy affair in 1978-79 as well as Director of the Middle East Relations Division in DFAIT from 1983-1987.  Mr. Bell has been a Senior Fellow at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University and at the Munk Centre at the University of Toronto.

To listen to the speech, please click here.

From left to right:

Michael Bell and Bob Millar, president of CDFAI.

David Wright

On 9 February, Dr. David Wright gave the third lecture in CDFAI’s speaker series “Canada & the World: China”. As Canada now celebrates forty years of diplomatic relations with China and attempts to strengthen its strategic partnership with the country, it is increasingly important for government officials and Canadian citizens to understand China’s investment strategies related to Canada.  

Dr. David Wright, an Associate Professor of History at the University of Calgary specializing in imperial Chinese and Mongolian history, spoke on China’s Arctic policy. He noted that one idea being discussed in China is creating an arrangement like that of the Svalbard Treaty of 1920, which would guarantee Canada’s sovereignty over the Arctic, but would give all signatory states the right to develop and exploit the natural resources in the Arctic.

He concluded by arguing that Canada must be aware of this and that the Government must make it clear to Chinese officials that Canada’s Arctic sovereignty is not open for discussion.

To listen to the speech, please click here.

From left to right:

Bob Gibson of Stuart & Company Limited,

the evening's sponsor, and David Wright.

Pierre Fournier

On 29 November, Pierre Fournier gave the second lecture in CDFAI’s new speaker series “Canada & the World: China”. As Canada now celebrates forty years of diplomatic relations with China and attempts to strengthen its “strategic partnership” with the country, it is increasingly important for government officials and Canadian citizens to understand China’s investment strategies related to Canada.
 

Dr. Fournier, a geopolitical analyst with the National Bank of Canada with an extensive background in financial research and economic policy, spoke on China’s investment strategy in Canada and how the government should respond. Specifically, he addressed the intention behind Chinese investment and if Canada’s strategy towards it makes sense. He also addressed whether Prime Minister Harper’s approach towards China has been successful or not.

To listen to the speech, please click here.

From left to right:
Pierre Fournier and Bob Engbloom of 
McLeod Dixon, sponsor of the event.
 

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Ralph Sawyer

On 27 September, Ralph Sawyer spoke at the first lecture in CDFAI’s new four-part speaker series, “Canada & the World: China”. In addition to a strong trade relationship, Canada and China share political, scientific, cultural and academic ties. This year’s series, which will continue into 2011, will shed light into this complex nation.
 

In his talk, Dr. Sawyer examined Sun-tzu’s Art of War that, according to Dr. Sawyer, continues to impact every conceivable realm of human endevour in China. He argued that in order to understand the PRC’s behaviour today and future developments, the Art of War and its influence must be first understood. He discussed several keys to understanding the text and indicated the core concepts that are exerting the greatest influence in contemporary world affairs.
 

Ralph Sawyer is an internationally renowned strategic scholar, best selling translator of the Art of War and other Chinese martial treatises, author of seminal Chinese military studies, and consultant to international corporations and intelligence agencies.
 

To hear his speech, please click here.

Ralph Sawyer

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Colin Robertson

Colin Robertson presented at the Rachmen’s Club on 15th of January. His presentation focussed on 'Obama's First Year: Achievements, Disappointments and the Road Ahead'. Colin Robertson spent more than half his career following Canada-U.S. relations and served in New York, Los Angeles and Washington and was a member of the team that negotiated both the Canada-U.S. FTA and NAFTA.

 

His talk, ecompassing Obama’s first year and the challenges ahead, is especially important as Obama is the first Democrat in over 30 years to be elected President with more than half the popular vote and majorities in both the House and the Senate, Barack Obama promised a new beginning. He wanted an end to political and cultural divisions, a resolution to the economic turmoil, and legislation to reform health care, immigration and education as well as a plan for climate change that would reconcile conflicting energy and environmental pressures. Arguably the most radical agenda since Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal and as ambitious as Lyndon Johnson's civil rights reforms, Obama has faced the realities of the separation of powers and the polarization that now characterizes American political life.

Colin Robertson

Jon Vance

Brigadier-General Jon Vance is the third speaker in the CDFAI Afghan Speakers Series. Canada has been involved in the counter-insurgency was in Afghanistan since 2003, pouring both blood and gold into the mission. There are many questions surrounding this part of the globe and each speaker in this series brought their unique perspective to this debate.

Brigadier-General Jon Vance presented at the Calgary Gold and Country Club on the 2nd of February. He joined the Canadian Forces in 1982 and was commissioned into The Royal Canadian Regiment in 1986 following graduation from Royal Roads Military College. Following several postings he found himself posted, in 1993, to 1RCR in Petawawa and served as the Battalion Operations Officer and as a company commander.

In 1994, while employed as the battalion operations officer, he was awarded a Mention-in-Dispatches for his leadership while commanding a task force during the battalion's UN mission in Croatia. B.Gen Vance assumed command of Second Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment in Gagetown, NB in August 2001. After he relinquished command he completed a year of professional development before being posted as a member of the Directing Staff at the Canadian Forces College, Toronto in 2004. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel and served as Chief of Staff Land Force Central Area in 2005.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Military and Strategic Studies and a Master of Arts Degree in War Studies from RMC. He assumed command of 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in August 2006 for two very operationally demanding years. Upon relinquishing command, he stood up Task Force 5-09, the Canadian Headquarters that commanded and coordinated Canadian and Coalition civil-military operations in Kandahar Province from February to November 2009.

His talk focused on his time in Kandahar Province, the successes, failures and challenges.

From left to right:

R.S. Millar, CDFAI President, B.Gen Jon Vance,

Don Chynoweth, SNC Lavalin Senior Vice-President,

Defence Programs.

Nelofer Pazira

Nelofer Pazira is the fourth, and final, speaker in the CDFAI Afghan Speakers Series. Canada has been involved in the counter-insurgency was in Afghanistan since 2003, pouring both blood and gold into the mission. There are many questions surrounding this part of the globe and each speaker in this series brought their unique perspective to this debate.
 

Nelofer Pazira, the star of the movie "Kandahar", was born in India, into an Afghan professional family in 1973. The family returned to Kabul when Nelofer was a child and she grew up in Kabul during the Russian occupation. Her family fled to Pakistan in 1989, when Nelofer was sixteen. As a refugee, Nelofer lived in Pakistan for one year before emigrating to Canada. She obtained degrees in Journalism and English Literature from Carleton University in Ottawa and is working on her M.A. thesis at Concordia University, Montreal. Since 1996, Nelofer has made two documentary films about Iran.

As a journalist, she has worked for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Radio, written for Sight & Sound (British Film Institute Magazine), Elm Street, McLeans, The Ottawa Citizen, The Toronto Star, Panorama, and EI Semanal. Nelofer played the lead role in Mohsen Makhmalbaf's film "Kandahar" – a film based on Pazira's life story. The film made her, unwittingly, a representative of a cause: bringing the world’s attention to the tragedy of the Afghan war.

She was awarded "Prix de interpretation" by the New Cinema, New Media – Montreal Film Festival (October 2001). Ms Pazira commented on the human side of this conflict and her perspectives on the future from the Afghan point of view.

From left to right:

Tom Cox, ATCO Group and Nelofer Pazira

Matthew Fisher

Matthew Fisher is the first speaker in the CDFAI Afghan Speakers Series. Canada has been involved in the counter-insurgency was in Afghanistan since 2003, pouring both blood and gold into the mission. There are many questions surrounding this part of the globe and each speaker in this series brought their unique perspective to this debate.

Matthew Fisher presented at the Calgary Gold and Country Club on the 21st of September. Based out of the middle east, Mr. Fisher has covered wars, revolutions, coups and insurgencies in over 150 countries. From Gaza to Kandahar, Matthew Fisher has seen it all and reported on it. Currently he is Canada's longest serving war correspondent in Afghanistan, reporting for Canwest newspapers. Mr. Fisher knows the story of Canada's Afghanistan mission inside and out. He has covered Kabul and Kandahar and spent time with British, Canadian and U.S. troops in the field from the mountainous border within Pakistan to the poppy fields of Helmand province. Mr. Fisher offered an up-to-the minute briefing on what is going on in Kandahar province and the Canadian mission there.

Matthew Fisher

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Kitson Vincent

On December 2nd Kitson Vincent spoke at the Ranchmen’s Club on how to fight a cultural war. Kit, a good friend of Ian Griffin, Honourary Chair of Research Capital Corporation has pursued an interesting career in television and public policy. For the past 15 years he has been involved in a dynamic and unusual project to rebuild the conditions for popular support of the Canadian Forces.

Kitson Vincent

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Barry Cooper

On 7 April Dr. Barry Cooper, CDFAI Fellow and Professor of Political Science at the University of Calgary, spoke at the University of Alberta’s Business School on “The Evolution of Al-Queda.”

 

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Lewis MacKenzie

Major-General Lewis MacKenzie happened to be in Calgary on March 12th and joined some old friends for a discussion on current events.

 

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Perrin Beatty

On 20 January, CDFAI hosted a dinner in Calgary at which Perrin Beatty shared his views on the changes in the Canadian economy and the relationship between Canada and the U.S. at this time of economic downturn. Perrin Beatty is a member of the CDFAI Advisory Council, former Minister of Defence, and President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

 

 

Perrin Beatty

Ian Hope

Ian Hope is the second speaker in the CDFAI Afghan Speakers Series. Canada has been involved in the counter-insurgency was in Afghanistan since 2003, pouring both blood and gold into the mission. There are many questions surrounding this part of the globe and each speaker in this series brought their unique perspective to this debate.
 

Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Hope presented at the Calgary Gold and Country Club on the 4th of November. He is an instructor at the U.S. Army War College and previous commander of the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group in Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2006 where his soldiers experienced intense and sustained combat. He has served in infantry and airborne battalions in the Canadian and British armies and his operational experiences include the Balkans, Africa, and Afghanistan. He has served as a strategic planner with United States European Command and with NATO Headquarters International Security Assistance Force – Afghanistan to formulate a development strategy for that country.

He has been the Canadian liaison officer to United States Central Command in Florida and holds a Bachelor of History Degree (Hon) from Acadia University, a Masters of Military Arts and Science, and a Masters of Strategic Studies. He is enrolled as a PhD candidate in history at Queen’s University. LCol Hope is a graduate of the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies and the U.S. Army War College. His talk provided a realistic and refreshing military perspective on Canadian Forces operations in Afghanistan.  

Ian Hope

Jamie Cade

Colonel Jamie Cade, recently returned Deputy Commander Canadian Task Force – Afghanistan, spoke at a breakfast on 23 March in Calgary. His talk, “The Struggle for Kandahar: Canadian Soldiers Making a Difference in Afghanistan” examined the Canadian military role in Afghanistan and the progress our country’s soldiers are making in Afghanistan, a topic rarely covered by the media.

Jamie Cade

John J. Malevich

On 15 May LCol John J. Malevich, Deputy Director of the Counterinsurgency (COIN) Center in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, spoke at a breakfast in Calgary at the Bow Valley Club. LCol Malevich discussed the nature of insurgency and counterinsurgency, as well as the lessons learned in Afghanistan. In his presentation he noted that the Canadian Forces currently uses a tactical, techonology-dependent approach to counterinsurgency but he stressed that in order to be successful, the CF must adopt a strategic approach in their counterinsurgency operations that addresses the root causes of insurgency.

From left to right:
Breakfast Sponsors Kevin Saruwatari

and Sheldon Baranec of Qsine Corporation Ltd with

LCol Malevich (in middle).

Peter MacKay

On September 2nd, the Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute and the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary hosted a luncheon for military and defence experts at which the Honourable Peter MacKay spoke. At the lunch, the Minister announced the Atomic Veteran’s Recognition Program that recognized the sacrifice of military veterans and DND technology workers who participated in nuclear weapons testing in the United States during the Cold War. The Program will offer financial compensation to those people as well as to those who decontaminated the Chalk River nuclear reactor after two incidents in the 1950s.

From left to right:

the Honourable Peter MacKay and David Bercuson.

Sarah Chayes

Sarah Chayes (pictured left) gave a talk entitled, “Security and Development in Afghanistan: A Reality Check” at the Ranchmen’s Club in Calgary on 31 March. Ms. Chayes is a former National Public Radio journalist, author of The Punishment of Virtue: Inside Afghanistan after the Taliban, and founder and operator of Arghand, a cooperative in Kandahar.

Sarah Chayes