April 25, 2013 | 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
InterContinental Yorkville | 220 Bloor St. W | Toronto, ON

Last March, Prime Minister Harper and Japanese Prime Minister Noda announced the formal launch of talks towards a comprehensive and high-level Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between both nations. The first full round of negotiations came to a productive conclusion in November, with the second round set for this spring. This agreement is projected to boost Canadian exports to Japan by 67 per cent and increase GDP by US$3.8 billion, and would be the first trade agreement between Japan and another G8 country.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan and Keidanren, was pleased to host a high-level symposium with Canadian and Japanese business leaders and trade officials. The event promoted awareness and understanding of the potential and way forward for an ambitious and balanced agreement that will lead to stronger, more formalized trade relations with Japan.

Through a series of keynote presentations and expert panels, participants heard candid perspectives on the EPA from government officials, industry associations and companies from both countries. In addition to cross-cutting issues affecting the Canada-Japan relationship, the discussions covered opportunities and barriers to bilateral business in a number of key sectors, such as energy, forestry, manufacturing, life sciences, financial services and agri-food.

Download the complete program.

Read in-depth commentary from experts and panelists, brought to you by the Canadian International Council.

Read the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 report on the potential for a Canada-Japan trade agreement.

Check-out interviews with panellists by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. (Interviews coming soon)

Read Perrin Beatty’s op-ed on why Canada should prioritize an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan.

Presentations

Panel 1: Manufacturing and Technology

• Toshihiro Iwatake, Executive Director and Secretary General, JAMA Tokyo
• Joe Loparco, Chairman, Automotive Parts Manufacturing Association;
  Co-President, AGS Automotive Systems
• Mike Egli, President and CEO, Takeda Canada

Special Remarks

• Donald A. Guloien, President and CEO, Manulife Financial

Panel 2: Natural Resources and Agriculture

• Brian Frank, CEO, TimberWest
• Ron Bonnett, President, Canadian Federation of Agriculture
• Hirofumi Kobayashi, General Manager, Agricultural Policy Department,
  JA Zenchu

For further information, contact:
Marley Ransom | Event Planner | 613.238.4000 (227) | mransom@chamber.ca

We would like to thank our sponsors:

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Thank You

Supporting Organizations

Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association
Canada-Japan Society
Canadian Federation of Agriculture
JA Zenchu
Japan External Trade Organization
Toronto Japanese Association of Commerce & Industry
The Japan Society

Content Partners

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and its nationwide network of local chambers of commerce and corporate and association members have identified Canada’s top 10 barriers to competitiveness and are actively implementing initiatives to address these issues, promote economic growth and drive prosperity.

Two important barriers to Canada’s competitiveness are its growing skills gap and its poor innovation performance. The Competitive Edge will be a prime opportunity for business leaders to address these issues and to learn of innovative ways to upgrade the skills of their existing workforce and attract the resources—human and otherwise—they need to ensure the ongoing success of their businesses and the long term prosperity of their communities.

Keynote Speaker

The Competitive Edge will feature two sessions that will highlight real-life practices and success stories in skills and economic development through innovative ideas, unconventional strategies and creative partnerships. The first session, Upskilling to Compete, will demonstrate how Canada’s skills shortage can be addressed through sound relationships with academia and employer-sponsored training programs. The second session, Innovative Approaches to Employment Opportunities and Economic Development, will feature cooperative initiatives that are fostering economic growth for both businesses and communities within York Region—initiatives that are transferrable to any city in Canada.

Agenda-at-a-Glance

Featured Speakers

In addition to the keynote speakers, participants will hear from business and academic leaders, including:

• Hon. Perrin Beatty, President & CEO, The Canadian Chamber of Commerce
• Sheldon Levy, President, Ryerson University
• David Agnew, President, Seneca College
• Dan Fortin, President, IBM Canada
• Dr. David Williams, President & CEO, Southlake Regional Health Centre
• Jeremy Laurin, CEO, ventureLAB
• Karen Dubeau, Vice-President, Newmarket Chamber of Commerce

Tickets

$100 + HST

Click here to register.

Contact

Marley Ransom | Event Planner | 613.238.4000 (227) | mransom@chamber.ca

Held annually, the Competitive Edge is a conference where business and thought leaders connect to tackle a key issue affecting Canadian competitiveness and to exchange ideas, strategies and solutions for putting Canadian businesses in the best position to succeed at home and globally.

We would like to thank our sponsors for their
generous support.

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The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Grant Thornton LLP have teamed up to present the Private Business Growth Award.

The Private Business Growth Award seeks to recognize and celebrate dynamic, privately-held businesses whose growth strategy encompasses a broad range of activities across their business, such as:

• innovation, including new ways of working
• product and service development, including introducing new products or streamlining existing ones
• expansion into new domestic or international markets
• development of people and culture—helping employees learn and develop
• improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of internal processes
• improvements in stakeholder relations
• improvements in financial measures or governance
• leadership through reason and instinct to grow the business

Nominations for this award are open to Canadian-owned, privately-held businesses with annual revenues over $5 million. The deadline for nominations is Aug. 30, 2013 and all submissions must be received by Oct. 11, 2013. Finalists will be announced at the end of October.

The winning business will receive a specially-commissioned Private Business Growth Award commemorative trophy, and up to three representatives from the winning company will be celebrated as the guests of honour at a gala dinner in Toronto on Nov. 19, 2013. The winning business will also receive a one-year complimentary membership to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and accounting and/or advisory services from Grant Thornton LLP, valued at $10,000.

For more information on the Private Business Growth Award or to download the nomination form, please visit PrivateBusinessGrowthAward.com.

Details of the award dinner on Nov. 19 will be made available in the fall.

Our members cite Canada’s reliance upon the United States for trade as one of the greatest barriers to their future prosperity. We called on the federal government to tackle this barrier, as well as nine others that make up our list of the Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness. We urged the government to diversify its trade relationships and develop strategies to expand Canada’s access to new markets, particularly in Asia, Africa and South America. The government responded by laying out a plan of action in its 2013 budget.

Our members cite skill shortages as the greatest barrier to their future prosperity. We called on the federal government to tackle this barrier, as well as nine others that make up our list of the Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness. We urged the government to work with business to upgrade the skills of the existing labour force, match the skills acquired by Canadians with the skills needed by employers and better employ underutilized segments of the population, such as Aboriginal peoples, youth, the disabled and recent immigrants. We also pressed the government to ensure its immigration policy is aligned with local labour markets and employers’ needs. The government responded by laying out a plan of action in its 2013 budget.

Our members cite Canada’s aging public infrastructure as one of the greatest barriers to their future prosperity. We called on the federal government to tackle this barrier, as well as nine others that make up our list of the Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness. We urged the government to initiate a national infrastructure investment plan that includes new funding models, increased private-sector involvement, and takes into account the wide range of challenges and opportunities in communities across Canada. The government responded by laying out a plan of action in its 2013 budget.