22.10.2025 Report on CanCham’s of Europe Meeting in Brussels, 2025

22.10.2025 Report on CanCham’s of Europe Meeting in Brussels, 2025
22.10.2025

The Canada EU Trade and Investment Association (CEUTIA) organized the in-person meeting of the CanChams of Europe on October 16^th and 17^th, 2025 at the Mission of Canada to the European Union in Brussels.

This meeting was supported by the Government of Canada and featured:

The Honourable Rob Stewart, Canadian Deputy Minister of International Trade, who met with the group and provided the keynote address.
Sara Wilshaw, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, International Trade, and Canada’s Chief Trade Commissioner.
Representatives from the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service in Ottawa and Europe, Canadian provinces, Export Development Canada (EDC), and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

This meeting built on the initiative (including the successful event hosted in Madrid in 2024) and provided an excellent opportunity to deepen collaboration among the CanChams of Europe, Canadian and provincial officials, and business and industry stakeholders. See CanChams of Europe 2025 Agenda.

CanCham Latvia was represented by its President, Ed Kalvins and Vice-President, Una Brūna. Our objective was to position ourselves to get to know people who can help us attract Canadian business to the Baltic region via CanCham.lv by reaching out to Canadian businesses already doing business in Europe, and to institutions that can help to do so from Canada.

We highlighted that CanCham.lv was the only active Canadian chamber in north-eastern Europe, and despite Latvia’s small market, its businesspeople are commercially active throughout the Baltics, Scandinavia, and in some cases, throughout the EU, giving Canadian business more far-reaching opportunities than may appear to those unfamiliar with this region. Our Strategic Partnership initiative is especially suited to Canadian companies interested in exploring opportunities in this region, as well as providing Latvian companies a chance to connect to Canada.

Canadian Government representatives emphasized Canada’s recent focus on trade diversification and are clearly reacting to recent moves by the Trump administration on trade. The EDC’s (Export Development Corporation) is in expansion mode in Europe. Though most of the emphasis in on central Europe and the larger economies, Latvia is on agenda with a planned visit of the EDC in November. CanCham.lv needs to help make the case for the importance of our region. We asked Sara Wilshaw, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Trade Commissioner, if Canada intends to leverage Canada’s military contribution to facilitate trade development with Latvia and the Baltic region. The answer was positive, and that Prime Minster Mark Carney has directed the trade commissioner services to mobilize resources to develop trade opportunities.

Other points discussed:

Funding of chambers was recognized as a concern as many are struggling, particularly after COVID. It was suggested that consideration be given to supporting activities organized by the chambers that promote trade facilitation.
The funding for the CanChams of Europe was raised. This is an issues that will have to be addressed.
The rotation of Embassy and Trade Commissioner personnel was raised as a concern, not only because of the loss of continuity, but particularly as to the lack transparency within embassies as personnel changes may reflect chamber reputation without the possibility to challenge negative statements.
In many cases, chambers are actually business clubs.
Chambers provide a level of vetting to give government agencies confidence to dealing with them and their members. This should be recognized and used.
See CanChams - Vision Discussion Document.

The chance to meet with other chamber representatives was an enlightening experience. Many contacts were made and follow-ups required. The CanChams of Europe as an organization itself gained strength and credibility. “A rising tide lifts all boats”. We hope to benefit from the experience.