Presidents' Message

Cathy Williamson & Susan Baka with Zach Archambault, Global Affairs Canada

Happy Fall!  As we shift into the final quarter of 2025, we look forward to sharing important news in the ever-changing trade space.  From our recent and timely event which focused on the upcoming Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)  review, to our upcoming 25th Anniversary event in November that features Stephen de Boer, who will share his views on the current trade landscape, our goal is to keep you informed!

OWIT-Toronto has been very busy on the advocacy front by providing input to the government on trade issues that affect women-owned enterprises.  We partnered with OWIT-Ottawa to submit a policy statement when Canada hosted the G7 in the spring, and provided input for the potential relaunch of negotiations on a Canadian free trade agreement with Mercosur.  

We will be preparing a submission as part of the second phase of public consultations on CUSMA.  The 2026 review will be pivotal in shaping the next era of trade across North America.  We encourage all our OWIT members and friends to participate!  Send comments to Share your views: Consulting Canadians on the operation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).   The louder our voices, the more effective we can be in shaping trade agreements and policies that remove barriers and present opportunities for women-owned businesses to excel in global markets.  Engage in the consultations … and stay tuned with OWIT to keep you up to date.

Cathy Williamson & Susan Baka

Co-Presidents, OWIT-Toronto

Coming Event

OWIT-Toronto's 25th Anniversary Coming in November

OWIT-Toronto is proud to celebrate 25 years of championing women in international trade. Join us on November 20, 2025 (11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., McCarthy Tétrault) for this milestone event, themed “Celebrating the Past, Looking Ahead.” This special gathering will celebrate OWIT-Toronto’s impact and legacy over the past quarter century, while also creating a platform for forward-looking dialogue on global trade. The event will feature a keynote address by Stephen de Boer, Former Diplomat and Deputy Minister & Foreign and Defence Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister, who will provide valuable insights into the evolving trade landscape and future trends shaping Canadian and global business. This signature anniversary celebration will be an opportunity to connect, reflect, and look ahead together. Stay tuned for more details on venue and registration, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Date: November 20, 2025
Time: 11:30am - 2:00pm
Location: McCarthy Tétrault, 66 Wellington St. West (53rd Floor), Toronto

About Stephen de Boer

Stephen de Boer has had a distinguished career with the Government of Canada, most recently serving as Deputy Minister and Foreign and Defence Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister (2023–2025). Previously, he was Canada’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization in Geneva, Assistant Deputy Minister of International Affairs at Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Canada’s Ambassador to Poland and Belarus. With over two decades of leadership in trade, climate, and foreign policy, Stephen brings a unique perspective on the intersection of policy, diplomacy, and business in shaping the future of international trade. 

Space is limited. Registration will be available here.

Sponsored by the Scotiabank Women Initiative

Past Events

Sept 17 - North American Trade at a Turning Point: What 2026 Means for Canadian Businesses

By Jeanne Brownewell

       

Claire Barnett, Zachary Archambault, Ryan Greer

OWIT-Toronto Board of Directors

             

OWIT-Toronto hosted an insightful event - North American Trade at a Turning Point: What 2026 means for Canadian Businesses - about the upcoming 2026 Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) review - on September 17. Moderated by OWIT Board member Clare Barnett, the panel included Zachary Archambault (Global Affairs Canada) and Ryan Greer (Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters) to explore how Canadian businesses can prepare for the future of the North American trade landscape. The message was clear: the time to prepare is now. The panelists also discussed how women-owned businesses should continue to engage and make their voices heard throughout the process.

The Current Landscape

Archambault explained that in 2026, the three parties will come together to discuss the future of the CUSMA agreement. This is not a termination, but the first six-year joint review milestone to assess its effectiveness and consider an extension. Greer spoke about how defense and security are increasingly part of the conversation, and that tariffs are especially felt in the manufacturing sectors of steel, auto, and copper.

Stronger Together

The panelists emphasized the need to shift the Canada-US dialogue towards “shared future”. Rather than competing for market access, North America is stronger when building things together to compete with the rest of the world. Indeed, most of what crosses the US-Canada border is an intermediate component, not a finished good. There are no winners and losers in North American trade. In that respect, working closely with Mexico will be important as well.

Taking Advantage of CUSMA/FTAs

Archambault noted there was previously little incentive, for some products, to claim CUSMA preference, but now with the updated US tariff policies, it is critical for companies to take advantage of this FTA. The Trade Commissioner Service has a step by step guide on how to claim preferences. Greer added that, while government resources exist for SMEs, they can be challenging to navigate. This is where OWIT, the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) and other organizations and agencies like Export Development Canada (EDC) can come in to fill the gaps. On diversification, companies can hedge their risk by looking towards other markets in addition to continuing to pursue the US.

As the importer of record (the US company/importer) pays the US tariffs, so Canadian businesses should encourage their US customers to utilize CUSMA and get involved in the conversation. The US has just opened its public consultation where US stakeholders can emphasize how free trade under CUSMA/USMCA is vital for their economic success and competitiveness.

Women and Inclusive Trade

Greer commended how organizations like OWIT bring women into the conversation, increase their representation, and bring their perspectives to decisionmakers in politics and industry. Archambault agreed that hearing women’s voices and priorities is key to shaping negotiation policies and securing a CUSMA that works for the benefit of all. Global Affairs Canada has launched public consultations and he encouraged women-owned businesses to participate.

Key Takeaways:

• Elevating Women's Participation: Women are urged to make their voices heard in consultation processes to ensure their perspectives help shape policy and trade outcomes.
• Cross-Border Collaboration: Canadian companies should engage with their U.S. partners to highlight the continued importance of CUSMA and FTAs.
• A Shared Competitive Advantage: Canada, the U.S., and Mexico are stronger and more globally competitive when working together to leverage the benefits of integrated North American trade.

Taking place at the Ontario Investment and Trade Centre, participants at this event also enjoyed a breakfast and networking. Thanks to our longstanding partner the  City of Toronto and to new partner Vergel Port Condos for their generous sponsorship. The latter is a woman-owned international business which officially began operations in Port Colborne of the Niagara region. We welcome Vergel Port Condos to the OWIT-Toronto community!

Trade Resources

Global Affairs Canada's Trade Commissioner Service: State of Trade 2025

Canada’s State of Trade 2025, released earlier in the summer, highlights the central role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in shaping the country’s trade landscape. The report provides insight into how SMEs are engaging in international markets while outlining the challenges they face and the opportunities ahead. Additionally, Canada's export profile is becoming increasingly diverse, exemplified by women-owned firms that have more than doubled their export participation since 2011. Read the report here. 

Canada Post and UPS: Resources for Businesses Affected by the Suspension of De Minimis

On August 29, the US eliminated its “de minimis” exemption, which allowed goods valued under $800 USD to enter the country duty free. All shipments, regardless of their value, must now have duties prepaid before crossing the border. However, qualifying goods under CUSMA will continue to be exempt. Canada Post and UPS are offering updates and online resources to support businesses affected by these new requirements.

Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade (MEDJCT): Spotlight on Exporting Webinar Series

MEDJCT is launching a new free exporter information series which will cover key topics for Ontario businesses interested in establishing or expanding their global presence. Join select speakers and subject matter experts to learn how to translate global challenges into growth opportunities. The next webinar, Nearshoring & Supply Chain Realignment, will be held on October 24 and will explore how nearshoring and supply chain adaptation can help Ontario businesses navigate global trade uncertainty. Learn more and register here.

Where We’ve Been

OWIT at Brazil Week 2025

By Lilian Marins

Ambassador Enio Cordeiro, Consul General of Brazil in Toronto, and Lilian Marins

            

OWIT Toronto was honoured to participate in Brazil Week 2025 in September, organized by our partner, the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce (BCCC). It brought together business leaders, policymakers, and trade experts to explore new possibilities for bilateral cooperation. Represented by board members Lilian Marins and Susan Baka, OWIT contributed to discussions that combined trade policy, economic opportunity, and the human dimension of international business.

From the opening sessions, one message was clear: this is a pivotal moment to strengthen Brazil–Canada partnerships. Brazil has achieved record trade surpluses since 2023, exporting to more than 190 markets — a diversification strategy that has proven resilient even amid U.S. tariffs. At the same time, Canada remains one of the most open economies to foreign investment, with provinces such as Ontario and Quebec actively attracting FDI through agencies like Invest Ontario and Investissement Québec.

The data tells a compelling story: in 2024, Brazil exported nearly CAD 10B to Canada, mainly metals, sugar, chemicals, and agrifood products, while Canada exported CAD 2.5B to Brazil, with fertilizers, machinery, and aircraft at the forefront. Canadian FDI stock in Brazil exceeds CAD 20B, while Brazilian FDI in Canada is growing steadily, particularly in mining, clean tech, and innovation. In the first half of 2025 alone, Brazilian exports to Canada rose 25% year-over-year, reaching US$3.4B.

Sectoral discussions during Brazil Week pointed to natural complementarities:

• Energy & CleanTech: Canadian expertise in ESG mining and renewables aligns with Brazil’s ambitious energy transition.
• Agriculture & Food Security: Brazil, a global food powerhouse, depends on imports of potash — over 90% from Canada and Russia — underscoring the importance of critical minerals to global stability.
• Life Sciences & Innovation: Ontario’s biotech and medtech firms are already forging partnerships with Brazilian hospitals, demonstrating the potential for collaboration in healthcare innovation.
• Smart Mobility & Technology: From aerospace integration to AI-driven agritech, innovation is a natural bridge between both economies.

Yet Brazil Week was more than figures and sectors. It was about perspectives that shape the future of trade. A particularly striking moment came when a McCarthy Tétrault speaker observed:“If you want to see a war, leave people hungry. We will reach the point where it’s no longer about trade — it will be about life. This reminder resonated deeply with participants: trade is not an abstract concept, but a driver of food security, peace, and human well-being.

OWIT is proud to have been part of these conversations, which also highlighted the role of women in international trade. The presence of ApexBrasil, represented by Ana Paula Repezza, Renata Amaral, and Tatiana Prazeres, reaffirmed that empowering women leaders is not optional; it is essential to building inclusive, resilient, and sustainable trade systems.

After three days of discussions, one conclusion stood out: the Brazil–Canada relationship is not just about trade flows. It is about building bridges, both economic and cultural, as well as human. OWIT Toronto, through the active engagement of board members Lilian Marins and Susan Baka, was proud to contribute to this dialogue and to reaffirm its mission: ensuring that women are central to shaping the future of global commerce.

Partner Updates

October 28-29: Grocery Innovations Canada Show - Canadian Women in Food

OWIT-Toronto members are invited to visit the Canadian Women in Food Booth #1919 at this year’s GIC Show from October 28-29 in Toronto. Connect with inspiring women-owned food brands from across Canada and discover innovative products making waves in grocery and foodservice. Tickets are just $60 each – request and purchase your ticket by emailing CWIF at info@canadianwomeninfood.ca.

OWIT Work Related to the G7

By Georgina Wainwright-Kemdirim, VP Policy, OWIT-Ottawa

OWIT-Canada (Ottawa and Toronto chapters) issued a policy statement for G7 consideration in advance of the G7 Summit hosted by Canada in Kananaskis, Alberta in June 2025. Our statement aimed to meet the moment given the trade war with the United States and lack of specific recommendations related to trade in support of women workers, business owners, or consumers emerging from the W7 or B7 communiques. OWIT-Canada’s policy statement, therefore, was focused on issues that would advance the interests of women in trade in G7 members. In the statement, we recommended the following key actions by the G7:

1. Ensure that women workers and business owners are not disproportionately affected by tariffs or counter measures.

2. Ensure that all trade agreements remove barriers to participation and benefit women in all their diversity.

3. Establish innovative policies and programs to support women business owners in their entrepreneurship journey and participation in trade.

The G7 did not adopt any of our recommendations as indicated in the Chair’s Summary. The Chair’s Summary, however, did reference that G7 discussions were “informed by the recommendations of the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council (GEAC), which stressed the social and economic benefits of gender equality, and of all G7 engagement groups.” The GEAC recommended promoting gender equality to build more prosperous societies, and noted 70% of women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises have insufficient or no access to financial services, and the global financing gap for women entrepreneurs is estimated to be US$1.7 trillion, highlighting a significant, untapped economic opportunity. As a member of the W7 engagement group this year, OWIT-Canada was able to ensure that the W7 include a recommendation to the G7 to “provide tailored support for women entrepreneurs and ensure their equal access to finance, markets, and procurement opportunities, including public procurement.”

OWIT-Canada continues to participate on the W7 for the remainder of 2025. The W7 plans to work to advance its recommendations in the context of the G20 which is Chaired by South Africa in 2025. South Africa has selected the themes of Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability to inform and guide their work this year, and the W20 is one of 13 engagement groups active. The W20 has identified seven thematic task areas and Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion is one of them. OWIT-Canada plans to continue to promote increased awareness of women in trade at the G20 working with other OWIT chapters globally, particularly OWIT-International and OWIT chapters in Africa.