A CityAge Select Event
canada-europe connect
Vancouver, October 21, 2025
“Canada is focused on strengthening and diversifying its international partnerships. Canada is deepening co-operation on trade, energy, and defence with our long-standing European allies. Together, we will create greater security, stability, and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic. “
– the Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
Few countries have embraced the digital world as swiftly as Estonia, a small country that has a globally significant digital footprint.
We invite you to meet The Hon. Liisa-Ly Pakosta, Estonia’s Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, and her business delegation, to explore the path to the digital future.
Join us November 1st, from 8:30am to Noon in downtown Vancouver. Space is limited, we encourage you to request an invitation in the form below as soon as possible.
More details will be announced soon.
It’s now Canada’s national priority to expand worldwide trade.
One of the most strategic opportunities is deeper trade with the European Union. With support from the Embassy and Honorary Consulate of Estonia — one of the world’s most advanced digital republics and the top creator of unicorns per capita — CityAge is convening decision-makers to turn opportunity into action: new partnerships, pilot projects, investment, and market access on both sides of the Atlantic.
This roundtable follows the October 20 CityAge event, The Next Metro Vancouver, which will also offer opportunities for companies and leaders linked to Estonia.
With the support of:
SPEAKERS & WHO YOU WILL MEET
PROGRAM
7:45 AM – 8:30 AM: Registration
8:30 AM– Welcome & Opening Remarks
- Evaleen Jaager Roy and Evi Mustel, Honorary Consuls for Estonia Consulate in Vancouver
- First Nation acknowledgement
- Miro Cernetig, CEO, CityAge, welcomes the first panel
8:45 AM
Fireside: The Key to Opening the EU–Canada Market
How CETA is Canada’s strongest trade & investment tool and the insider’s guide on how to leverage it today.
- Celso Boscariol, Watson Goepel; EU trade expert, participant in the original CETA working group
- Moderator: Ellen Valter, Estonia Canadian Business Chamber
- Format: 30-minute conversation + 15-minute Q&A
9:30 AM
Using Estonia’s Digital Edge to Connect to the EU
How Estonia’s digital residency, banking, and investment model provides fast, affordable, and remote access to EU markets.
- Margus Rava, Estonia Ambassador to Canada
- Speaker: Aria Hahn, Chief Technology Officer, Pocketed Grant Platform
- Moderator: Bill Tam, Digital Supercluster CA
Q&A Time
Coffee served during Q&A
10:15 AM
How to Build a Unicorn?
Exploring how Canada can learn from Europe’s unicorn ecosystem and partner with EU innovators.
- Johnny Munro, BOLT, Senior Public Policy Manager for the UK & Global Expansion Markets
- Novella Uiga, Glia
- Moderator: Kalev Ruberg, Former CIO and Chief Innovation Officer, Teck Resources
10:45 AM
Digital Health Innovation, AI Here at Home
- Stuart Bowyer, Director of Business Development, PHC Ventures
- Rob Davidson, Director, Advance Technologies, Nortal
- Nadia Shaikh-Naeem , VP of Programs, Digital
- Moderator: David Castle, Professor, Public Administration and Gustavson School of Business, University of Victoria
11:15 AM
Q&A Time
11:30 AM
Conference Ends & Networking Session
HIGHLIGHT
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