Pacific Partners, Global Players

The Canadian-Australian friendship is underpinned by a common heritage,  shared values and strong people-to-people ties.  These factors also help to shape the global trade and investment relationship, which has enjoyed phenomenal growth over the past five years.

In July 2015, some 150 business and government leaders gathered in Vancouver at the Australia-Canada Economic Leadership Forum to focus on building this bilateral relationship for continued strength into the future.  The meeting was co-chaired by Heather Ridout (Australia) and Norman Steinberg (Canada).

Forum discussions included: strengthening engagement with Asia, the changing role of energy and natural resources to our economies, and factors to remain competitive in the global sphere.

As with past forums of 2010 (Sydney) 2012 (Toronto) and 2014 (Melbourne), the event continued exploration of comparisons, differences and opportunities of the Canada-Australia relationship.  Talks were peppered by CEO and political panels to consider actions needed to keep up with rapid global change. The Honourable Julie Bishop, Australia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, summed up forum sentiment at the closing dinner with her remark “may this very special friendship long endure.”