Report

INTRODUCTION

From 1 to 4 December 2025, the Canada–China Legislative Association (CACN) hosted the 25th Bilateral Meeting with the China–Canada Legislative Association (CCLA), its counterpart from the People’s Republic of China (China). The meeting, which was a CCLA delegation’s first visit to Canada since December 2018, was held in Vancouver and Ottawa.

CACN Co-Chairs Senator Clément Gignac and Zoë Royer, Member of Parliament (MP) led the Canadian delegation in Vancouver. In Ottawa, they were joined by other delegates: CACN Vice-Chairs Senator Pierrette Ringuette, Xavier Barsalou-Duval, MP and Kody Blois, MP, as well as Senator Danièle Henkel, John Barlow, MP, Steven Bonk, MP and Yasir Naqvi, MP.

In Vancouver, the Co-Chairs were supported by two staff: Hilary Smyth, Association Secretary, and Angelo Bucciarelli, Protocol Officer. Three additional staff supported the Canadian delegation in Ottawa: Geneviève Gosselin, Advisor, Alexia Lagacé-Roy, Advisor and Brendan Naef, Advisor.

CCLA President SHI Yaobin, member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, led the Chinese delegation. The other delegates were YU Xubo, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress, and ZHANG Tao, member of the Department of Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection of the National People’s Congress and the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.

The Chinese delegation was supported by LIU Bing, Deputy Director-General of the International Exchange Office of the Foreign Affairs Committee, LI Yucui, Director of the International Exchange Office, and LIN Yuqin, Staff Member of the International Exchange Office. Support was also provided by His Excellency WANG Di, China’s Ambassador to Canada, and officials from the Chinese Embassy, ZENG Zhi, China’s Acting Consul General in Vancouver, and officials from the Consulate General in Vancouver.

SITE VISITS IN VANCOUVER

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority

At the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the CACN Co-Chairs and Chinese delegates toured Burrard Inlet and met with two representatives of the port authority: Shaun Govendor, Director for Government and Stakeholder Relations, and Carmen Ortega, Manager and Senior Strategic Advisor for Government Relations. Carmen Ortega provided information about the port authority’s operations, plans for expansion and environmental programs.

Chinese Canadian Museum

At the Chinese Canadian Museum, the CACN Co-Chairs and Chinese delegates met with Grace Wong, Board Chair for the museum, and Melissa Lee, the museum’s Chief Executive Officer. Melissa Lee provided a tour of the museum and its exhibitions, and provided the legislators with information  about: the history of Chinese Canadian life in Montreal between 1945 and 1960; Canada’s role in shaping Cantopop and Mandopop in the late 20th century; Chinese Canadian’s contributions during the Second World War; the life and influence of Yip Sang in Vancouver’s Chinatown; the history and significance of the Chinese Canadian communities in Canada; and the strength of the cultural ties between the two countries.

LNG Canada

The CACN Co-Chairs and Chinese delegates met with representatives from LNG Canada to learn about the firm’s development of, and trade in, liquified natural gas. Paul Hagel, Head of Communications and Reputation, provided an overview of the firm’s work and made a presentation concerning Phase 1 of the commissioning of the liquified natural gas facility in Kitimat. Ning Jiang, Vice-President Business Advisory, provided an update on Phase 2 of the facility and relevant milestones in the doubling of the facility’s export capacity. Finally, Vince Elenko, Senior GHG Advisor, made a presentation regarding LNG Canada’s environmental performance, and drew particular attention to the use of energy-efficient gas turbines and the latest methane mitigation technologies to achieve low-emission standards in relation to greenhouse gases.

MEETING AND VISITS IN OTTAWA

Panel Discussion on Canada–China Business Relations

At a meeting hosted by the Canada China Business Council at the Senate of Canada Building, Senator Gignac and Ambassador WANG provided opening remarks prior to a panel discussion. Panelists included the following:

• Honourable Martin Cauchon, PC, Counsel, DS Lawyers Canada LLP;

• Deng Jun, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bank of China (Canada);

• Joyce Lee, Partner and Chair of Asia Group, McCarthy Tétrault LLP; and

• Graham Shantz, President, Canada–China Business Council.

The panel was moderated by Bijan Ahmadi, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Canada China Business Council. Zoë Royer provided closing remarks.

Courtesy Calls and Other Visits

The Chinese delegation, accompanied by Senator Gignac, had a courtesy visit with Speaker of the Senate Raymonde Gagné, CM, OM, and met with J. Greg Peters, Usher of the Black Rod.

Photo Exhibition

Canadian and Chinese delegates viewed a photo exhibition marking 55 years of Canada–China diplomatic relations. The exhibition was curated by the Chinese Embassy and co-hosted with the CACN.

BILATERAL CONSULTATIONS

Opening Remarks

Senator Gignac opened the 25th Bilateral Meeting between the CACN and the CCLA by noting that the meeting marked an important moment in renewed parliamentary dialogue. Highlighting recent high-level engagement between Canada and China, including discussions between Prime Minister Mark Carney and senior Chinese leaders and Canadian ministers’ visits to China, Senator Gignac observed that these interactions laid the groundwork for the topics to be discussed at the bilateral meeting, including Canada–China relations and multilateral cooperation.

Zoë Royer acknowledged the 55th anniversary of Canada–China diplomatic relations and underscored the long-standing ties between the two countries, including pre-diplomatic connections through trade, missionary work and migration. As well, Zoë Royer drew attention to the Chinese Canadian community, now exceeding 1.8 million people, and the prominence of Mandarin as the third most-spoken language in Canada in 2021.

SHI Yaobin expressed appreciation for the warm welcome, and extended congratulations to Zoë Royer and Senator Gignac on their appointment as the CACN Co-Chairs. The other Chinese delegates then introduced themselves.

Canada–China Relations, Including Inter-parliamentary Exchanges, Economic and Trade Cooperation, and People-to-people Linkages

Zoë Royer indicated that inter-parliamentary exchanges, economic and trade cooperation, and people-to-people linkages have been central to Canada–China relations since 1970. Describing the CACN as a forum for engaging in parliamentary diplomacy and sharing perspectives, Zoë Royer also commented that the CACN examines bilateral and multilateral issues, and identifies areas of common interest.

According to Zoë Royer, business ties between Canada and China are strong, with tens of thousands of jobs supported in both countries, and businesses collaborate in a range of areas, including in relation to energy, agriculture, manufacturing, the climate and international finance. Zoë Royer stated that the Canada–China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, which has been in force since 2014, provides a framework for investor protection.

As well, Zoë Royer emphasized people-to-people connections between Canada and China, including travel, migration and education, and noted that – in 2024 – China was the sixth-largest source of visitors to Canada and the second-largest source of international students. Describing the current period between the two countries as one of calibration aimed at advancing the bilateral relationship, Zoë Royer encouraged continued efforts to deepen mutual understanding and cooperation.

SHI Yaobin referred to the long-standing nature of China–Canada relations, pointing out that Canada was among the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with China. In SHI Yaobin’s view, recent high-level engagement between the two countries’ leaders reflects a willingness to move beyond a period of strained relations and to re-establish cooperation.

Characterizing the current moment between China and Canada as an opportunity to reset the bilateral relationship, SHI Yaobin acknowledged both the positive and the difficult periods in that relationship. In this context, SHI Yaobin underscored the importance of resuming inter-parliamentary exchanges, indicating both that the 25th Bilateral Meeting is the first such bilateral exchange in seven years and that the CCLA places significant value on these bilateral meetings.

Finally, SHI Yaobin highlighted opportunities for expanded cooperation between China and Canada in such areas as economic and trade relations, as well as scientific, technological, cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Multilateral Cooperation, Including Climate Change, Global Governance, and Other Areas of Shared Interest

Senator Henkel described multilateralism as an effective means of addressing geopolitical tensions and stabilizing the global order, and drew attention to its role in environmental and trade cooperation.

Regarding the environment, Senator Henkel pointed out collaboration regarding the Convention on Biological Diversity, including the 15th Conference of the Parties, which was chaired by China, held in Montréal and led to the Kunming–Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework. Senator Henkel also indicated that Canada and China are signatories to the Paris Agreement, and are pursuing clean energy transitions, which offers opportunities for mutual learning: China is a leader in renewable energy, and Canada has strengths in hydropower and emerging nuclear capacity.

Concerning trade, Senator Henkel underlined the importance of a rules-based international trading system that is centred on multilateral institutions, such as the World Trade Organization, and regional forums, like Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. As well, Senator Henkel observed that both Canada and China benefit from a rules-based international trading system through reduced trade barriers, strengthened supply chains and support for economic growth, even as geopolitical and economic pressures strain the system. Finally, Senator Henkel asserted that multilateral institutions remain essential to maintaining stability and fostering cooperation.

YU Xubo described Canada–China economic relations as well established, particularly in relation to agriculture and energy, and noted Canada’s wheat exports to China in the early 1960s – during a period of embargo – as a foundation for bilateral trust. Furthermore, YU Xubo discussed the two countries’ complementary strengths, including Canada’s natural resource, agri-food and aerospace sectors, and China’s manufacturing capacity, technological development and ongoing demand for high-quality Canadian products.

Underscoring the depth of bilateral investment, including Chinese investments in Canada’s energy and agriculture sectors and Canadian investments in China’s services sector, YU Xubo encouraged greater value-added cooperation between the two countries in such areas as electric vehicles, fuel cells and renewable energy, and mentioned China’s leadership in wind power, nuclear energy and high-speed rail.

Finally, YU Xubo raised concerns about Canada’s foreign investment review processes, and called for greater clarity with respect to national security considerations. As well, YU Xubo recognized the importance of a stable and predictable business environment, referenced China’s Global Governance Initiative, mentioned such shared challenges as trade tensions, and highlighted the role of multilateral frameworks in supporting open trade and opposing protectionism.

General Comments From Other Members

Kody Blois observed that both Canada and China need to take responsibility for improving the bilateral relationship, and suggested that the current discussions at the parliamentary level should be augmented by legislators also supporting executive action. Moreover, Kody Blois called for renewed efforts in both countries to deliver concrete outcomes, including in areas where near-term gains are achievable.

In Yasir Naqvi’s opinion, challenges in bilateral relations are to be expected, although it is in the mutual interest of Canada and China to continue collaborating.

Steven Bonk highlighted Canada’s role as a stable and long-standing supplier of high-quality agricultural products to China, and advocated further discussions to strengthen cooperation in the agricultural and agri-food sector.

Emphasizing China’s commitment to environmental protection and climate action, including through efforts to reduce carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality, ZHANG Tao drew attention to the country’s global leadership in renewable energy, particularly wind power, and its integration of ecological priorities into its legal and policy frameworks. Furthermore, ZHANG Tao referenced the anniversary of the Paris Agreement, identified climate change as a key area for China–Canada cooperation, and said that China is willing to work with Canada in multilateral environmental forums and on bilateral initiatives, including in such areas as wildfire prevention. More generally, ZHANG Tao urged strengthened cooperation and positive momentum in the bilateral relationship.

CLOSING REMARKS

In concluding remarks, SHI Yaobin described the 25th Bilateral Meeting as productive. Pointing out that legislative exchanges have long been an important component of the China–Canada relationship, SHI Yaobin expressed a desire to maintain and strengthen the cooperation between the CCLA and the CACN.

Senator Gignac concluded by underscoring the value of continued dialogue and sustained engagement in identifying areas of common interest and strengthened cooperation, but acknowledged that differences between Canada and China will always exist. As well, Senator Gignac identified the importance of multilateralism in addressing shared global challenges, and stated that the two countries can contribute to a stronger, rules-based international system through continued collaboration that has mutual respect and long-term commitment at the foundation.        

Travel Expenses

Travel expenses associated with this activity can be found in the delegation’s financial report. This report is available in the Financial Disclosure section of the Parliamentary Diplomacy website.

Respectfully submitted,

Hon. Clément Gignac, Senator

Co-Chair, Canada-China Legislative Association

Zoe Royer, MP

Co-Chair, Canada-China Legislative Association