Canada–Netherlands Roundtable at the Canadian Embassy

Heather Dubbeldam was invited to deliver a keynote at a Canada–Netherlands roundtable in The Hague, hosted at the Canadian Ambassador’s residence, bringing together leaders from across the Dutch built environment. The invitation followed the recent Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) between Canada and the European Union, which is opening new pathways for architectural collaboration, and reflects Heather’s longstanding engagement with climate-responsive design as well as her Dutch heritage.

The roundtable convened a select group of developers, policymakers, investors, engineers, and architects to exchange perspectives on shared challenges and opportunities between Canada and the Netherlands. Discussions focused on low-carbon construction, mass timber and biobased building, and the regulatory and market frameworks shaping the future of the built environment in both regions.

Heather’s keynote set the context for the session through a comparative lens – highlighting Canada’s resource capacity, growing mass timber sector, and climate-responsive design expertise alongside the Netherlands’ leadership in circular construction, policy innovation, and spatial efficiency. Moderated by Bob van der Zande, Program Lead for Mass Timber Construction in the Metropolitan Region of Amsterdam, the discussion emphasized the value of international exchange in advancing more sustainable and resilient models of development.

 The event was organized in collaboration with the Canadian Embassy and the Trade Commissioner Service, creating a platform for ongoing dialogue and future collaboration between Canadian and Dutch partners.