Brexit - In the Eye of A Hurricane? Roundtable Event

The British Canadian Business Association

(In Cooperation with the EU Chamber of Commerce in Canada – West and

The Italian Chamber Of Commerce in Canada - West)

Presents: 

Brexit: In the Eye of A Hurricane?

Months have passed since British citizens decided to exit the EU (the so-called “Brexit” referendum).  During the lead-up to the referendum groups on both sides of the debate made numerous claims regarding what would, and what would not, happen following a vote to leave the EU.  This session will discuss the status of Brexit and predictions for the future relevant to the UK, the EU and Canada.

Some political consequences of Brexit were immediate.  David Cameron resigned and was replaced by Theresa May as British Prime Minister.  She promptly negated any notion that Britain will negotiate to remain in the EU.  “Brexit means Brexit”, she said. 

While Brexit appears to be a certainty, the timing and strategy for Brexit discussions is less clear.  It appears that Prime Minister May will not provide notice of a Britain’s intention to leave the EU under Article 50 of the Treaty of The European Union until next year.  Once notice has been given under Article 50 the two year time frame for concluding exit talks begins to run.

Britain will experience the greatest impact of Brexit.  Its trading partners (including the EU and Canada) are also planning to deal with any fall-out.  The strength and relevance of the EU will be questioned.  German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned that Brexit means a “deep break” in EU history, and that citizens will only accept the EU if it makes it possible for them to prosper.  In Canada, businesses and individuals must deal with the fact that Britain will not be part of the Canada – EU Economic and Free Trade Agreement.  In sum, a storm of changes to customs, trade, commerce, investment, immigration and labour laws appears to be on the horizon. 

Our panel of experts will hold a roundtable on key issues such as:

1.    The status of Brexit discussions.

2.    Key issues (such as the impact on customs, trade, commerce, investment, employment and immigration).

3.    The expected impact of Brexit on Britain’s relationship with the EU.

4.    The impact of Brexit on the Canada - EU Economic and Free Trade Agreement (“CETA”).

5.    Opportunities and challenges for businesses and individuals.

Our panellists will include:

1.     Nicole Davison – British Consul-General Vancouver: Nicole Davison assumed her position as British Consul General to Vancouver in July 2016. She is the British government’s representative in British Columbia, the Yukon and the North West Territories. Nicole joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in 1988 and has served in South Africa, Bangladesh, Ukraine and China. Most recently, she was the Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Zagreb, Croatia.

2.     Rupert Potter – Director (UK) British Canadian Business Association (via Skype): During his career as a diplomat, Rupert has previously served as British Consul General in Vancouver 2012-16; Deputy Head of the Embassy in Bahrain 2008-12; and prior to that as Political Officer in Sweden, and Vice-Consul in Jordan. In London, he’s worked on policy covering South Asia, Afghanistan, and North America, as well as being seconded to Cabinet Office and the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).  His role in the BCBA handily brings together his loves of the UK, British Columbia and helping businesses thrive.

3.     Celso Boscariol, President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce Canada - West:  Celso graduated from the University of British Columbia in 1981 and was called to the Bar in Alberta in 1982 and British Columbia in 1995. Mr. Boscariol is Past President of the Liberal Party of Canada (B.C.). In 1996 Mr. Boscariol Co-Chaired the National Convention of the Liberal Party of Canada. He has also served as President of the National Federation of Canadian-Italian Business and Professional Associations Inc. and is a member of the Vancouver Board of Trade. Currently Mr. Boscariol is the President of the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Canada – West.  He is fluent in Italian.

4.     Christian Hansen, Regional Director, Pacific at Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada: Christian Hansen became a Canadian Foreign Service officer in 1995 and has served in Ottawa, Osaka, Oslo, Vancouver, and at Canada’s Mission to the European Union in Brussels.  He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from the University of British Columbia and Master of Public Policy (International Relations) from Princeton.  His academic interests include border management, transportation security, and trade facilitation. Christian is the Regional Director and Senior Trade Commissioner at the Pacific Regional Office of Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development.  In this role he leads a team of 17 Trade Commissioners in supporting the international business of clients in British Columbia and Yukon.  He speaks Japanese, French and some Norwegian.

5.     Ashley Prime, Managing Director, Navigator (Canada) Ltd (via Skype): Ashley’s career has included Protocol Directorate and Head of Great Investors Group for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, as well as British Deputy Consul General Toronto between 2008 – 2013. Navigator Canada Inc. is regarded as one of the world’s leading marketing communications service groups, a unified provider of solutions by utilizing their team of diversified backgrounds and expertise

Program Chair and Moderators: Tony Morgan and Daniel Kiselbach: 

·            Tony Morgan is the President of the British Canadian Business Association. 

·            Dan Kiselbach is a trade, customs and tax lawyer at Deloitte Tax Law with over 25 years of experience.

MEMBERS & INVITATION ONLY DUE TO LIMITED SPACE