January 29, 2025 – February 6, 2025
Energy for a Secure Future, in collaboration with senior Indigenous, government, and industry leaders in Canada, is pleased to lead a mission to Japan, now scheduled for January 29, 2025 to February 6, 2025 (Initially scheduled for September 2024).
The mission aims to foster exchange on: Japan’s energy outlook and objectives, Canada’s readiness to be a low-emission energy security partner to Japan, starting with liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, and crucially the foundational role of Indigenous-industry partnerships in underpinning Canada’s role as a global energy partner. The establishment of relationships between Indigenous and industry players from Canada with leaders in Japan will also be an important outcome as Canada continues to build its role in the Indo-Pacific.
Themes
Energy Security in Japan
“As Japan develops its latest energy plan, we see liquefied natural gas from strategic partners like Canada as important to our energy security and our country’s efforts to significantly reduce our dependence on coal as well as to provide dispatchable power to deal with the intermittency of renewable power. This is true today and the decades to come.”
– Tatsuya Terazawa, Chairman and CEO, Institute of Energy Economics Japan
Canada as a Global Energy Partner
“LNG development generated some of the largest construction contracts in the country and these are high quality good paying jobs. Responsible development of Canadian LNG not only creates economic opportunities for Canadian workers but also helps our international allies lower their GHG emissions while growing their economies.”
– Sean Strickland, President and CEO,
Canadian Building Trades Unions
Indigenous Partnership Foundation
“Canadian LNG is Indigenous LNG. We are demonstrating leadership in the energy sector as owners, partners, and innovators. Our involvement in LNG not only represents an opportunity for economic growth for our communities and Canada but also presents to offer solutions to the world both for energy security and emissions reduction. First Nations LNG is looking forward to bringing this message to Japan and hearing from Japanese energy customers on their needs and realities.”
– Karen Ogen, CEO, First Nations LNG Alliance
Canada-Japan Energy Partnership Forum
February 5, 2025
2:30 pm to 7:30 pm JST
Embassy of Canada to Japan, Tokyo
The Forum, hosted at the Canadian Embassy in Japan, will bring together senior government, industry and Indigenous leaders, energy customers and major users, to advance bilateral energy opportunities. The potential benefits of Japan-Canada energy partnership will be explored including the environmental, geopolitical, and economic potential. Relevant to the entire Japanese energy supply chain, from energy planners, to importers, to power producers, the Forum seeks to be a further catalyst in a long-term energy partnership between Canada and Japan.
Speakers
Shannon Joseph, Chair, Energy for a Secure Future
A sustainable development and public affairs professional with over 15 years of experience that includes environmental engineering, municipal sustainability program management, the upstream oil and gas industry and Indigenous relations. Currently serving as Chair of Energy for a Secure Future, Ms. Joseph spent close to 10 years in progressively senior roles at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Most recently, Ms. Joseph served as Vice-President, Government Relations and Indigenous Affairs for the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP).
Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment & Protected Areas, Government of Alberta
Rebecca Schulz was first elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-Shaw on April 16, 2019 and was re-elected on May 29, 2023. She was sworn in as Minister of Environment and Protected Areas on June 9, 2023, previously serving as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister of Children’s Services. A communications professional with a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University, Minister Schulz previously worked for the Government of Saskatchewan, as well as the University of Calgary.
H.E. Ian G. McKay, Ambassador of Canada to Japan and Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific
Mr. McKay began his career in international financial markets with Euro Brokers Investment Inc in New York in 1987, later becoming Managing Director of Euro Brokers Tokyo in 1994, and joint Managing Director of Euro Brokers London in 1998. Subsequently, Mr. McKay was Director of Canadian Energy Markets for InterCapital Brokers NY between 2006 and 2009. From 2001 to 2005, Mr. McKay served as a senior policy advisor to three federal cabinet ministers in the Government of Canada and from 2010 to 2013 as the National Director for the Liberal Party of Canada. Following his time in Ottawa, McKay served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Economic Commission, the City of Vancouver’s economic development agency from 2013 until 2018. In January 2018, Mr. McKay was named as the Prime Minister’s special envoy to Japan, was appointed as Ambassador of Canada to Japan on April 15, 2021, and presented his credentials to His Majesty the Emperor of Japan on August 25, 2021. He was named as Canada’s Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific on April 19, 2023.
Jun Nishizawa, Corporate Advisor, Mitsubishi Corporation & Senior Fellow, Institute of Energy Economics, Japan
Jun became Executive Vice President CEO, Natural Gas Group effective from April 2019, and was responsible for Mitsubishi Corporation’s LNG business worldwide, managing equity positions of 13 LNG projects including 1 under development. He also spearheaded execution of Mitsubishi’s strategy around decarbonization space including participation in the Breakthrough Energy Catalyst, a unique program launched by Mr. Bill Gates focused to support deployment of key climate technology-based projects and development of carbon credit businesses.
Karen Ogen, CEO, First Nations LNG Alliance
Karen Ogen is the CEO of the First Nations LNG Alliance, a society of First Nations in support of responsible LNG development in Canada – with a priority on the environment, and on First Nations consultation and engagement. Karen brings extensive experience to her role, having served as elected chief of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation for six years, 2010-2016. She was also a council member for the Nation 1987-1990 and again 2019-2022.
Tatsuya Terazawa, Chairman and CEO, Institute of Energy Economics, Japan
Mr. Terazawa has been leading the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ), one of the leading energies thinktanks in the world, to present pathways to achieve carbon neutrality as well as to recommend measures to enhance energy security for the governments and industries since he became the Chairman and CEO of IEEJ in July 2021. He has been a very active global speaker in the discussions concerning global climate issues and energy security. Before joining IEEJ, he supported the then Minister Yasutoshi NISHIMURA as the Senior Advisor of the Cabinet Office between January and June 2021 to assist the Government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the formulation of the Growth Strategy including the Japanese “Green New Deal”.
Sharleen Gale, Chair, First Nations Major Projects Coalition
Chief Sharleen Gale has dedicated six years of service as a board member with FNMPC, assuming the role of Board Chair in 2017. Her unwavering commitment to her community, Fort Nelson First Nation, spans over 14 years serving in the esteemed positions of both Chief and Councillor since 2009. Chief Gale brings a wealth of experience garnered from her extensive tenure in the oil and gas sector, the corporate realm, and various leadership roles. This rich background informs her invaluable contributions in shaping the aspirations of the Fort Nelson First Nation, both at the Council table and as the Chair of the Dehtai Corporation—the Nation’s economic development corporation driving prosperity.
Stephen Buffalo, President & CEO, Indian Resource Council – Canada and Chair, Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation
Mr. Buffalo is a proud member of the Samson Cree Nation. He graduated secondary school from Athol Murray College at Notre Dame, Saskatchewan. He sits on numerous boards including being the first ever Indigenous Governor for the Canadian Energy Executive Association, Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation – Chairman, Board of Directors, University of Calgary Redevelop Program, and Clean Resource Innovation Network.
Charlotte Raggett, President & CEO, Rockies LNG
Ms. Raggett is the President & CEO of Rockies LNG Partners and has been working with Rockies since 2018, initially as the Chief Commercial Officer and now as President & CEO. Rockies LNG is a partnership of Canadian natural gas producers working together to develop LNG export opportunities for Canadian natural gas. Ms. Raggett has over 30 years of energy industry experience at companies including Seven Generations Energy, Aux Sable, Williams Energy Canada, Inter Pipeline, TransCanada Midstream, Dow Chemical Canada, and the Canadian Energy Research Institute.
Trevor Kennedy, Vice President, Indo-Pacific, Business Council of Canada
Trevor leads the Council’s work on Canadian business trade and investment ties with countries in the Indo-Pacific. He advises and executes on trade policy initiatives and liaises with Canadian policymakers, foreign officials and international business networks representing key partners. Trevor is a fellow with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute and is a member of the Canada-Korea Forum Steering Committee. He holds a Master of Arts in Asia Pacific Policy Studies from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from St. Thomas University, New Brunswick.
Shannon Watt, President & CEO, Canadian Propane Association
Shannon Watt is the President and CEO of the Canadian Propane Association. Prior to her current role, Watt served as the Vice President of Sustainability at the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada for over seven years. Watt’s educational background includes a Master of Science in Meteorology from the University of Guelph and a Bachelor of Environmental Life Sciences from Queen’s University.
Energy for a Secure Future is grateful for the support of our friends in Japan
