The Right Honourable Stephen Joseph Harper PC MP

Prime Minister of Canada

H.E. Peter M. Boehm

The Ambassador of Canada to Germany

“Canada and Germany — Tackling global challenges through enhanced economic partnership.

Her Excellency Marie Bernard-Meunier

Former Canadian Ambassador to Germany

Mr. Hans Eichel

Finance Minister Government of Germany

The Honourable Jean Charest

Premier of Québec

The Honourable Hector Goudreau

Minister of Employment and Immigration , Province of Alberta, Canada

“Alberta’s Growth Story”

Honourable Don Fast

Deputy Minister, Economic Development Province of British Columbia, Canada

“British Columbia – Global Magnet for Investment, Talent and Innovative Technologies”

Hon. Greg Byrne, Q.C.

Minister of Business New Brunswick, Government of New Brunswick

“Doing Business with New Brunswick”

Mr. David Dodge

Governor of the Bank of Canada

Berlin June 5, 2003 – As our inaugural Business Luncheon, we were honoured to have our patron of the club, the Ambassador of Canada to Germany Madam H.E. Marie Bernard-Meunier, the Ambassador of Canada, welcome over 90 distinguished guests and members to our first business luncheon. Governor of the Bank of Canada with the Original DKBC Steering Committee and the then current Ambassador of Canada to Germany We were privileged to hear as our first guest speaker, Mr. David Dodge, the Governor of the Bank of Canada, to speak to us on the topic “How Sound Economic Policies Help During Uncertain Times.” The speeches were preceded by a networking event in the adjoining rooms followed by a dinner prepared by the highly qualified chefs of the Four Seasons Hotel. The local press as well as journalist from Canada were in attendance to report on Mr. Dodge’s speech.

Mr. David Dodge

Governor of the Bank of Canada for the Honourable Ralph Goodale

Berlin, 22 November 2004 – With our fall Business Luncheon, the Deutsch-Kanadischer Business-Club Berlin-Brandenburg in partnership with the Verein Berliner Kaufleute und Industrieller e.V. (VBKI) held its first Breakfast Buffet event. Dr. Martin Ungar, our newly appointed president of the DKBC opened the event and introduced to the DKBC  members His Excellency Paul Dubois, the new Canadian Ambassador to Germany. The Ambassador, in turn, introduced to the guests Mr. David Dodge, Governor of the Bank of Canada. The Club was pleased to once again have Mr. Dodge who graciously filled in for the Honourable Ralph Goodale who unexpectedly had to return to Ottawa for  Government business. Mr. David Dodge spoke on behalf of Canada’s Minister of Finance Ralph Goodale on the theme of the fiscal health of the Canadian economy and on some of the bilateral initiatives between Canada and Germany. Mr. Dodge began by focusing on the tough decisions Canada had to make to develop what is today a remarkably strong and resilient economy that has weathered numerous economic shocks during 2003 and still able to provide the services that Canadians value. He then discussed some of the many partnerships and bilateral arrangements in science and technology between Canadian and Germany, and the benefits and opportunities such partnerships bring to both countries. He concluded with some thoughts on a number of important issues facing the international monetary arrangements, especially the importance of everyone playing by the same “sets of rules” in international monetary policy. The speech concluded with a very lively questions and answers session. Mr. Dodge’s speech and comments afterwards,
which were noted and syndicated around the world by international media in attendance, drew attention to the Canadian Dollar from places as far away as India, and even countries such as Malta and Mauritius have suddenly bolted upright and take notice of the Canadian dollar. The Canadian dollar rose sharply in trading the next day as a result of the news reported from this event.

Mr. Mark J. Carney

Governor of the Bank of Canada

“A Conversation with Mark Carney on the Economic and Financial Outlook”

Mr. Raymond Bachand

Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, Government of Quebec

“From Vision to Reality: A New Economic Partnership Between Canada/Québec and the European Union”

Dr. Terrie Romano

Consul (Economic Affairs – Ontario)

“Ontario, Canada: Springboard into the North American Market”

The Munich International Marketing Centre, co-located in the Canadian Consulate, was opened in February 2002. Terrie is the second Senior Economic Officer. Her
focus is on investment and trade opportunities in the German southwest, but she travels throughout the country in pursuit of Ontario’s economic interests. Major
areas of interest for Dr. Romano are the Automotive sector, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Advanced Manufacturing, Life Sciences and Business Immigration. Other economic sectors of importance include Energy, Education, Culture and Tourism.

Dr. Rainer M. Giersch

Director, Business Development Europe Province of British Columbia, Canada

“2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver – The Business Opportunity”

Thomas Beck

Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce

“ Great land, great potential: German companies rate canada!”

Dr. Ian Smith

Director General Institute for Biodiagnostics National Research Council of Canada

Berlin, Spring 2005, On the 21st of February, the club had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Ian Smith on the subject:”Turning Ideas into Business.” His presentation was given in an easy-going, pleasant manner on a subject that is quite difficult and complex. As Director General of the National Research Council of Canada’s Institute for Biodiagnostics, he takes an active interest in the commercialization of technology, especially technology as it relates to advancing medical diagnostics. His institute has worked hard to break down the barriers that traditionally exist between engineering, medicine, and scientific research. His Institute has achieved this by bringing together under two roofs (connected by an underground tunnel) over 200 staff and researchers. This multidisciplinary research effort includes physiologists, physicians, chemists, biochemists, physicists, and engineers. These specialists work together on projects with a view that their discoveries can be commercialized within the framework of the Institute. To that end, the Institute provides staff members who are experts in business development, marketing, venture capital, and business planning. Dr. Smith provided an overview of several of the companies and technologies that the Institute is proud to have “incubated” and brought to “graduation.” These have included an innovative MRI device – IMRIS-  that allows surgeons to perform brain surgery with the assistance of an MRI device to prove and verify delicate and dangerous surgical procedures, even while the surgery is being performed. This invention has been spun off into a company called Brain Lab, which now boasts more than $10 million dollars in sales. Another spin-off was a low-cost MRI for use by veterinarians. This product was developed, produced  and marketed by a company called MRV Systems and “incubated” by the interdisciplinary environment and capable support staff of the Institute. The key to the success of the Institute has been its multi-disciplinary approach, coupled with its business-minded support staff. Thus turning patents generated by its researchers into viable, successful products produced by companies run on a sound financial basis. He closed by inviting others to learn more from the Institute’s success and, added as a final footnote, a subtle recruiting message for like-minded researchers and business people to join his Institute.

Thomas d’Aquino

Chief Executive and President of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE)

“Canada and Germany — Partners in a Changing World”

Reto Francioni

CEO Deutsche Börse AG

“The Narrowing of the Atlantic – Can Global Trading Create Better Transglobal Understanding?“

Steve Clarey

Director, Global Sales Business Unit Research In Motion

Research In Motion (RIM) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions, including BlackBerry, for the worldwide mobile
communications market. Steve Clarey is RIM’s Director of Strategic Accounts for Europe and Asia Pacific. Mr Clarey’s team is responsible for delivering BlackBerry
based mobility solutions to government and corporate organizations. Mr Clarey’s presentation focused on the benefits that mobility can bring to the enterprise.
He reviewed industry trends, challenges and offered advice for deploying successful mobility projects. Mr Clarey also presented case studies to demonstrate how mobility
can drive competitive advantage.

Peter Haubrich

President, Okanagan Research & Innovation Centre ORIC

“Silicon ‘Vineyard’ in British Columbia”

Mr. Matthias Kleinert

Senior Vice President External Affairs & Public Policy Daimler Chrysler