CLE Visiting Scholar Lingli Zheng Goes to Ottawa on Global Affairs Canada Study Tour

From February 17 to 21, I had the privilege of participating in the 2025 Global Affairs Canada (“GAC”) Study Tour: Understanding Canada, held in Ottawa. Organized by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), this remarkable event brought together 29 international faculty members and students from nearly 20 countries. As a Visiting Scholar at the Centre for Law and the Environment at UBC, I was honoured to be invited as a scholar representative of the 2024-2025 Canada-China Scholars' Exchange Program (CCSEP).

The five-day study tour featured diverse and enriching activities, with each day focusing on a different theme. On the first day, a roundtable discussion was held on “Foundations of Mutual Understanding.” The opening ceremony featured a welcome address by Kimberley Ferguson, Deputy Director of Education Relations & Programming in the Pan-Geographic Advocacy & Engagement Division at Global Affairs Canada, followed by a keynote speech titled “Understanding Canada: A Foundation for Collaboration,” In which Marie-Eve Plante, Program Manager at CBIE, provided an overview of the study tour, highlighting its objectives, agenda and expected outcomes. 

During the thematic presentations, Jaime Pitfield, President and CEO of the Parliamentary Centre, Christina Komorski, Director of the Information and Indicators Division of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), and Sylvain Charbonneau, President and CEO of the Canada Foundation for Innovation, presented on “Inclusive Democratic Institutions and How They Can Deliver Better Development Outcomes,” “Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators Program (CESI) and the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS)” and “Innovation in Canada” respectively, offering insightful perspectives that spurred active discussions among participants, fostering a vibrant atmosphere of on-site deliberation.

During this event, I had the opportunity to share my 2025 research project at the CLE, entitled “Environmental Cooperation and Dispute Settlement Mechanisms between Canada and China within and beyond the CPTPP.” 

Additionally, I exhibited my eco-themed traditional Chinese painting titled “The Origin, Demise, and Renaissance of Life.” As a representative, I also presented a gift to Christina Komorski, Director at ECCC.

The following day focused on “Canadian History and Reconciliation.” In the morning, we visited the Canadian Museum of History, gaining deep insights into Canada’s culture and history. In the afternoon, at the Indigenous Awareness Workshop, Kimberley Ferguson, Flavielle Morais and Phuong Nga Le of GAC interacted with us through the Kairos Blanket Exercise, allowing us a glimpse of Canadian history from an Indigenous perspective. In the evening, representatives from nearly 20 embassies in Canada attended a reception for ambassadors and high commissioners hosted by GAC.

The next two days focused on “Governance,” “Innovation,” and “Innovation and Sustainability.” By visiting the Senate of Canada and the House of Commons, we gained a deeper understanding of Canada’s parliamentary system. During visits to Bayview Yards, the National Wildlife Research Centre, and CanmetENERGY, we experienced how scientific and technological innovation is closely related to public life.

On the final day, the theme was “Canada and the World.” We were invited to the headquarters of Global Affairs Canada, where we were warmly welcomed. Philippe-André Rodriguez, Deputy Director & Head of Policy, G7, delivered an enlightening speech titled “Canada’s G7 Presidency in 2025,” outlining Canada’s leadership role and priorities as the G7 chair in 2025. Additionally, Nathalie Garon, Deputy Director of Education Programming, Social and Economic Development Division, along with Zahra Boodhwani, Deputy Director of Education Specialists and Reporting, Social and Economic Development Division, gave an impressive presentation on “Canada and Global Education.” 

Taylor Hladik, Director of Innovation Pathways Division, presented a keynote address on “Advancing Canada’s Science, Technology and Innovation Agenda Internationally.” Finally, Cheryl Urban, Assistant Deputy Minister of the Africa Branch and Pan-Geographic Affairs Branch, presented certificates, took a group photo with us and gifted us friendship badges featuring the flags of homelands and Canada, marking a perfect end to this study tour.

In the afternoon, the five scholar representatives of CCSEP, including me, were invited to a discussion at the Chinese Embassy in Canada. During the meeting, Zhang Yongjun, Minister-Counsellor of the embassy’s Education Section, called on the scholars to serve as “civilian ambassadors,” promoting academic exchange, cultural cooperation and the development of Canada-China relations. The discussion further deepened our understanding of Canada-China cooperation and reinforced our awareness of our responsibilities in promoting international consensus and friendship.