The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada Podcast

In this episode of Minerals Matter, Todd Stone, President and CEO of the Association for Mineral Exploration, based in British Columbia, discusses the key mining aspects of Canada’s critical minerals sector with APF Canada's former Vice-President Research & Strategy Vina Nadjibulla. Their conversation covers the very beginnings of Canada's critical minerals supply chain with the geoscience of mineral deposit exploration. Todd emphasizes the role of risk capital in kick-starting new mining projects, expanding government incentives to drive new projects, such as financing, updating provincial permitting timelines, and civilian/military "dual-use" designations for new mines that align with Canada’s defence sector needs. Todd also discusses why allied overseas governments are increasingly investing directly in Canadian projects, how Canada can reduce dependence on a single dominant supplier, and why building the workforce at home matters as much as finding the deposits.

In this episode of Minerals Matter, Pascale Massot, APF Canada's Canada–Indo-Pacific Critical Minerals Hub advisor and our 2025–26 John H. McArthur Research Fellow, sits down with Saga Williams , an advisor with the First Nations Major Projects Coalition and a member of Curve Lake First Nation, to discuss the intersection of Indigenous rights and Canada's critical minerals development. Williams explores Canada’s resource governance by framing the industry around a critical dichotomy: the urgency to build a domestic critical-minerals value chain and the necessity of building it thoughtfully and inclusively with Indigenous communities. She explains how this dichotomy can function as an opportunity for communities to engage industry leaders and government to remove long-standing barriers to infrastructure development. She also looks at the governance structures that have moved communities from bystanders to proponents in major projects, "territorial development" as a frame for asking whether development brings lasting value to a region or just to its investors, and what lessons Canada's experience may hold for resource development across the Indo-Pacific. You can access the First Nations Major Projects Coalition report on Indigenous engagement in Canada’s “Critical Minerals Value Chain” here .

In this episode of Minerals Matter, the Hon. Erin O'Toole, former leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and a member of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations, speaks with APF Canada's Vice-President Research & Strategy, Vina Nadjibulla , about Canada’s critical minerals advantage. O’Toole brings his insights to bear on how Canada can convert its resource endowment into genuine strategic capability – from fixing regulatory approval timelines and using tools such as the Canada Growth Fund to close the "risk premium" gap on refining and processing to leveraging critical minerals and metals as one of Canada's strongest cards in resolving tariffs with the U.S. They also explore proposals for a "NORAD 2.0" that would build energy and resource security into the North American defence partnership, opportunities to deepen Canadian critical mineral ties with Japan, South Korea, and other Indo-Pacific partners, and the growing role of Indigenous-led resource development in the Arctic.

In this episode of Minerals Matter, Pierre Gratton , President and CEO of the Mining Association of Canada (MAC), a national voice for the Canadian mining industry working to promote the industry internationally, sits down with APF Canada’s Vice-President, Research & Strategy Vina Nadjibulla . Together they discuss global co-operation initiatives on critical minerals and domestic labour hurdles facing Canada’s mining industry. They touch on the critical mineral's diversification initiatives coming out of the G7 leaders' summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, earlier this year, including a target to reduce reliance on any single rare earths supplier — widely understood to mean China — to below 60 per cent by 2030. Gratton assesses the feasibility of diversification measures from both Canada and G7 partners, from mining and refining to EV battery recycling, while also reflecting on domestic developments including regulatory reform, shifting public perception of mining, technological advances, and the industry's acute labour shortage.

In this episode of CIAC Conversations, APF Canada's Communications Director, Michael Roberts , sits down with Mark Daley , Chief AI Officer at Western University, on the sidelines of APF Canada's fourth annual Canada-in-Asia Conference (CIAC2026) in Singapore in February. Mark explores how post-secondary institutions are approaching artificial intelligence and digital transformation from both a teaching and an institutional perspective. He also explores the larger strategy of global engagement by Canadian universities in the Indo-Pacific region, the importance of developing strong research partnerships to facilitate sustainable growth, and how these universities can play a role in developing a network of partners across value chains in sectors like emerging technology and energy security. This podcast was originally recorded in February 2026.

In this episode, APF Canada’s Canada-Indo-Pacific Critical Minerals Hub’s key advisor and John H. McArthur Research Fellow, Pascale Massot , sits down with Muhammad Imran , Chief Technical Officer and Vice-President of the Rare Earth Element Division at the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC). Imran is leading the development of the first fully integrated, commercial-scale rare earth processing facility in Canada, and North America, which is expected to be fully operational by early 2027. Together, they unpack why domestic rare-earth processing capability is critical to Canadian and foreign supply chains. Imran discusses SRC’s research on Canada’s critical mineral base, and strategies for divesting from China's rare-earth dominance while navigating the environmental challenges that continue to hold back partners and allies from scaling up their own processing. He also sheds light on what the success of SRC-developed processing tech could mean for Canada's downstream manufacturing, particularly its burgeoning EV industry, and the broader supply chain resilience of Canada and its partners.

In this episode of Asia Pacific Conversations, Dr. Lizzi C. Lee, a Fellow with the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis, discusses China’s geopolitical and economic outlook with Vina Nadjibulla , APF Canada’s Vice-President, Research & Strategy. Lizzi explores how China is implementing its new "constructive strategic stability framework” for partnership building and what it means for middle powers like Canada. The conversation also explores the outcomes of U.S. President Donald Trump’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in May, the two nations’ dramatically different approaches to negotiations, and what the meeting signals for the future of U.S.-China relations. Lastly, Lizzi and Vina unpack Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Canada last month, the first in over a decade, and the necessary steps required for Canada to rebuild a secure, sustainable working relationship with China amid concerns over national and economic security and democratic values. Please enjoy this episode of Asia Pacific Conversations!

In this episode of CIAC Conversations, APF Canada's Communications Director, Michael Roberts , sits down with Bart Édes , a policy analyst, commentator, and author, on the sidelines of our fourth annual Canada-in-Asia Conference (CIAC2026) in Singapore in February. Bart, who also serves as a Distinguished Fellow for APF Canada, uses strategic foresight, a forward-looking approach to exploring future scenarios, to assess Canada's evolving geopolitical relationship with the Indo-Pacific region. He explores necessary updates to Canada's development assistance programs and strategies for building more sustainable, impactful relationships in the region that focus on big picture issues like climate change, upskilling, and tech development. Finally, Bart discusses the impact of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy and potential improvements to the strategy that could help expand Canada's reach and co-operation in the region. This podcast was originally recorded in February 2026.

In this episode, Kakehashi Senior Program Manager, Siân Jones, and i-LEAD Program Manager, Mari Naganuma , sit down with Franco Ng , serial entrepreneur, youth mentorship professional, King Charles III Coronation Medal awardee, and proud Kakehashi alum. Franco discusses how Kakehashi not only opened his eyes to the wonders of Japan’s culture and people but also reminded him of the diversity of culture we share as Canadians. He outlines how early experiences with different leadership styles ignited his commitment to help young people build confidence, find their true potential, and realize their creative impact. Franco explains what motivated him to achieve so much by age 30 and what continues to drive him as he continues his entrepreneurial journey. We hope you enjoy this episode of Kakehashi Conversations.

In this episode of Asia Pacific Conversations, Dr. Raja C. Mohan , Distinguished Fellow and Republic of Korea Chair at the Council for Strategic Defense Research and APF Canada’s inaugural Indo-Pacific Visiting Scholar, sits down with Vina Nadjibulla , APF Canada’s Vice-President, Research & Strategy, for an in-depth conversation on Canada–India relations and the Indo-Pacific security landscape. Together, they examine the evolving geopolitical dynamics in Asia, focusing on India's role in balancing China's rising influence and the rebalancing of India's strategic partnerships against an unpredictable U.S. administration. They also dive into Dr. Mohan’s new book, India and the Rebalancing of Asia, to unpack evolving security dynamics in the region. Dr. Mohan also touches on India’s expanding military and economic capabilities, the importance of dynamic multilateral partnerships, and what India can do to strengthen its relationship with Canada.

What happens when Canada’s energy future meets the Indo-Pacific's soaring demand? In this episode of CIAC Conversations, APF Canada’s Communications Director, Michael Roberts , sits down with Heather Exner-Pirot, a leading voice on energy, natural resources, and the environment, on the sidelines of our fourth annual Canada-in-Asia Conference (CIAC2026) in Singapore in February. Heather, a Senior Fellow and Director of Energy, Natural Resources and Environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute as well as a Special Advisor to the Business Council of Canada, takes us inside the clean tech supply chains linking Canada to the Indo-Pacific, and breaks down our country's role in energy security, including traditional sources from LNG to renewables like nuclear energy. She also tackles Canada's critical minerals strategy and unpacks how Indigenous networks and economic projects work together This podcast was originally recorded in February 2026.

Ce balado illustre le parcours atypique de la Caporal‑chef Stéphanie Tsujio , depuis son arrivée dans les Forces armées canadiennes jusqu’à son rôle actuel comme instructrice au quartier‑maître de l’École de leadership et de recrues des Forces canadiennes. Un thème majeur du balado est la diversité et l’inclusion au sein des Forces. Caporal-Chef Tsujio souligne que l’armée évolue vers une représentation plus fidèle de la société canadienne. En tant que femme d’origine japonaise, elle témoigne des progrès réalisés grâce aux politiques d’inclusion et à l’appui croissant de la chaîne de commandement. L’épisode aborde également les défis actuels du recrutement, de la formation et des compétences émergentes. Caporal-chef Tsujio évoque l’importance des formations spécialisées, notamment dans le cadre de la coopération internationale et des exercices multinationaux comme Maple Resolve , ainsi que lors de déploiements à l’étranger. Elle souligne enfin l’émergence des nouvelles technologies comme les drones, l’intelligence artificielle, et les enjeux de cybersécurité dans la formation des recrues pour répondre à un contexte géopolitique en constante évolution.

In this episode of Minerals Matter, Pascale Massot , APF Canada’s Canada-Indo-Pacific Critical Minerals Hub key advisor and our 2025-26 John H. McArthur Research Fellow, sits down with Lyle Trytten , a veteran of the global nickel industry, to discuss the intricacies of global nickel supply chains. Trytten, who previously served as General Manager of Sustainability at Sherritt International and has worked on nickel projects around the world, provides an in-depth look at Canada’s nickel industry and the legacy of this crucial mineral in domestic production. He explores China’s nickel ecosystem, including the knowledge, equipment sourcing, project delivery, and operational expertise that has allowed China to dominate global processing. The conversation also looks at Canada's decline in nickel production in favour of more attractive minerals, such as cobalt and gold, creating critical dependencies in electric vehicle and battery supply chains. Trytten also touches on the current realities of nickel production through a corporate lens to help listeners understand Canada’s hesitancy toward deeper engagement in these supply chains. He asks: How can Canada generate stronger incentives for corporations to ramp up domestic nickel production to take advantage of our natural resources? How can partnerships with consumer nations like Japan, South Korea, and European allies play a role?

In our latest episode of CIAC Conversations, Chanèle Boulet-Gauthier , Director of Strategy and Development for Socodevi, a Quebec-based international co-operation organization working with international agricultural co-operatives to strengthen economic development, sits down with APF Canada’s Communications Director, Michael Roberts , at the sidelines of our fourth annual Canada-in-Asia Conference (CIAC2026) in Singapore in February. Chanèle discusses Sociodevi’s local, collective approach to international development that focuses on the collaborative strengths of agricultural co-ops. She emphasizes the sustainability aspects of agri-food supply chains and resource development, which are often overlooked in the economic diversification conversation. Food security, she notes, isn’t just about agricultural production; it must encompass ecosystem preservation, climate change adaptation, and sustainability across all aspects of the value chain. The conversation also touches on how technology can improve the accountability of sustainable agricultural measures and accessibility of agricultural resources for smaller co-operations. This podcast was originally recorded in February 2026.

In this episode, Pascale Massot , APF Canada Critical Minerals Hub’s key advisor and John H. McArthur Research Fellow, sits down with Bentley Allan , Vice President of the Future Economy at the Transition Accelerator, and Associate Professor of Political Science at Johns Hopkins University. An award-winning scholar, Allan regularly advises government and industry on geopolitics and industrial policy, including Canada’s critical minerals strategy. Their conversation explores how Canada's Critical Minerals Strategy 2.0 can be restructured to meet the domestic needs of Canadian businesses. Allan explores the geopolitical challenges posed by market dynamics and the need for effective industrial policy, arguing that Ottawa must be willing to act at scale, take risks, and coordinate effectively when it comes to our domestic critical minerals industry. Allan also discussesthevalue in learning from global partners, establishing diversified partnerships, and the implications of the US critical mineral strategy for Canada, asking how Washington's new critical minerals initiatives will compete with Canada's ambitions, and how can Canada maximize its leverage ahead of the CUSMA review?

In our latest episode of CIAC Conversations, Chris Lane , President & CEO of the Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership, also known as ‘STEP,’ joins APF Canada’s Communications Director, Michael Roberts , at the sidelines of our fourth annual Canada-in-Asia Conference (CIAC2026) in Singapore in February. Chris discusses the genesis of STEP as an export enablement partner for Saskatchewan businesses, promoting trade and economic diversification of the province’s vast industries and resources to economies across Asia and beyond. He details the organization’s latest trade mission in the region, centered on Canadian agriculture promotion and held in partnership with the Government of Alberta. He points to the importance of being “collaborative within Canada, creative in how we approach the market . . . and focused on how we cultivate [Canadian] companies to be exporters” in the Indo-Pacific region as a key takeaway from both CIAC2026 and the recent trade mission. The conversation also highlights on-the-ground responses to PM Carney’s trade diversification strategy, particularly Canadian farmers facing high export trade barriers, and the importance of local trans-Pacific relationship-building in the export market. This podcast was originally recorded in February 2026.

In this episode of Asia Pacific Conversations, Elizabeth Wishnick , Adjunct Senior Research Scholar, Weatherhead East Asian Institute at Columbia University, sits down with APF Canada’s Vice-President Research & Strategy, Vina Nadjibulla , to discuss Arctic geopolitics and security. Wishnick examines the growing strategic importance and dramatic geopolitical shifts in the Arctic, including challenges and opportunities in Canada’s far north. She explores how the region is shifting from co-operation to competition, driven by Russia's war in Ukraine, NATO's shifting alliances, and China's rising influence over shipping lanes. They also unpack emerging challenges to maritime security, the regional security implications of China’s growing co-operation with Russia, climate change concerns, and how great power rivalry is signalling a shift towards strategic posturing in a region that has been traditionally underutilized. Please enjoy this episode of Asia Pacific Conversations!

In this episode of Minerals Matter, APF Canada’s Vice-President, Research & Strategy, Vina Nadjibulla , speaks with Heather Exner-Pirot , Senior Fellow and Director of the Natural Resources, Energy and Environment program at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and Special Advisor to the Business Council of Canada, on strengthening Canada’s domestic approach to critical mineral supply chains. Heather argues that Canada has significant mining power by default of its vast geological resources, but having the minerals isn’t enough to be a competitive player in critical minerals supply chains. She proposes a four-category framework — inspired in part by China's own division of minerals into "scarcity" and "advantage" categories — that calls for distinct policy and fiscal approaches to solidify Canada’s position in the critical minerals market. She also shares her perspective on how Canada should approach Chinese investment in the mining sector as the two countries cautiously rebuild ties, and calls for a "divide and conquer" approach for international coordination among allies and partners to build critical minerals resilience without duplicating effort and spending.

In our latest episode of CIAC Conversations, Tamara Vrooman , President and CEO of Vancouver’s International Airport (YVR), sits down with APF Canada’s Communications Director, Michael Roberts , at the sidelines of our fourth annual Canada-in-Asia Conference (CIAC2026) in Singapore in February. Tamara discusses YVR’s strategic planning model that has positioned it as a catalyst for innovation, a trailblazer in sustainability, and, according to the 2026 Skytrax World Airport Awards, the best airport in North America for a record 15 years. Servicing close to 27 million passengers and 350 tonnes of cargo last year, Tamara explains how YVR is both a hub for business and pleasure travel and a central export/import port linking the Indo-Pacific to Canada and the Americas. She discusses how the airport can support Canada’s expanding export strategy in the years ahead and touches on the importance of diversifying supply chains in today’s turbulent global economy. The conversation also touches on the importance of prioritizing sustainable innovation in the aviation industry and what YVR and other airports are doing to create more eco-friendly supply chains without sacrificing economic development. This podcast was originally recorded in February 2026.

In our latest episode of CIAC Conversations, Maggie Gorman Vélez , Vice-President, Strategy, Regions and Policy at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), sits down with APF Canada’s Communications Director, Michael Roberts , at the sidelines of our fourth annual Canada-in-Asia Conference (CIAC2026) in Singapore in February. Maggie discusses IDRC’s work supporting development, research, and science initiatives in the Indo-Pacific. She highlights the role of innovation as a “mechanism to achieve development outcomes,” how Canada can support research ecosystems in Asia, and how platforms like CIAC help drive development by providing spaces for collaboration and co-operation for stakeholders across the region. The conversation also touches on how new technological advancements, like AI, are changing the research landscape and how Canada can leverage these technologies to advance bilateral and multilateral partnerships. Finally, Maggie looks ahead to consider how research institutions in Canada can partner with global actors to create sustainable, meaningful impact in underdeveloped communities in Asia. This podcast was originally recorded in February 2026.