Wet’suwet’en First Nation (WFN) was the only B.C. First Nations group to attend the 2015 China trade mission.
Chief Karen Ogen was in China with premier Christy Clark and the B.C. minister of international trade Teresa Wat from Oct. 30 to Nov. 7, 2015. The delegation also included Janice Nooski, Wet’suwet’en Councillor, and Shannon Haizimsque, Chief Operating Officer of Yinka Dene Economic Development General Partnership (YDEDLP).
The trade mission, which toured four major Chinese cities – Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong, focused on strengthening relations between the province and key partners in China.
Chief Ogen took part in several meetings with members of the Canadian and Chinese energy sector and made presentations to Chinese business investors on what it means to build successful working relationships with First Nations in B.C.
One of the topics of the trade mission was of particular interest for WFN: liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Chief Ogen’s presentation focused on why government and industry have a legal obligation to consult with First Nations and how First Nations are an integral part of the project development process for LNG. In addition, chief Ogen spoke about an initiative she started – the First Nations LNG Alliance – and its work around educating and sharing knowledge in support of LNG development in B.C.
Chief Ogen said it was important for WFN to be a part of the mission and to have First Nations representation. However, she said hopes more First Nations groups can attend future trade missions.
“We hope to continue building relationships with international businesses and look forward to finding viable initiatives to take part in,” she said.
Chief Ogen’s presence was requested on the trade mission to provide an example of how First Nations and the B.C. government are working together to move the province’s economy forward. In December 2014, WFN signed a $2.8-million agreement with the province to support TransCanada’s Coastal GasLink Pipeline project.
During the 2015 China trade mission, the provincial government signed several deals in an effort to diversify its trade relationship with China. In total, 45 events and signings took place on the trade mission across a variety of sectors.
The premier also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Province of Guangdong that identifies climate change and low carbon development as areas of future co-operation.
Minister Wat signed two MOUs with the City of Shenzhen – one on low-carbon development and clean technology co-operation; the other on trade and investment co-operation.
“Working together on addressing climate change and developing clean technology is a part of our province’s strategy to expand and diversify our trade relationship with China,” said Premier Clark. “We want to align B.C. companies with new opportunities in China’s developing clean-technology sector – and if the number of deals signed on this trade mission is any indication, there’s a bright future for B.C. companies wanting to expand into the Chinese market in these areas.”
