November 20, 2025 - OWIT-Toronto's 25th Anniversary Celebration

By Jeanne Brownewell

Martha Harrison, McCarthy Tétrault                   Amanda de Vogel, Scotiabank                                   Anita Agrawal, Jewels4Ever, and Sue Rauth, Global Affairs Canada

Susan Baka, OWIT-Toronto, & Stephen de Boer                                                                                  Audrey Ross, OWIT-Toronto

Jennifer Cooke, EDC                                                                                                       Cathy Williamson, OWIT-Toronto

OWIT-Toronto celebrated its 25th Anniversary in November, hosted at McCarthy Tétrault, with an insightful fireside chat featuring Stephen de Boer, who most recently served 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.

Mr. de Boer reflected on Canada’s position as a longtime leader of women in international trade at the WTO through the endorsement of the Joint Declaration on Trade and Women’s Economic Empowerment. With this declaration, Canada demonstrated to member countries the economic benefits of incorporating women into the global trade environment.

Trade Diversification

While the US will likely remain Canada’s top trading partner due to geographic ties, de Boer highlighted how there is a world of opportunity for Canadian businesses to pursue. Recent engagement with the Indo-Pacific, UAE, and Latin America is opening additional pathways for growth. In Europe, businesses can take advantage of the existing Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Drawing on his experiences as Ambassador to Poland, de Boer highlighted eastern Europe as a particularly untapped market and added that women-owned businesses are uniquely well-positioned to strengthen Canada’s presence in the services trade.

Mr. de Boer also highlighted that the Trade Commissioner Service is a valuable resource for exporters, offering trade missions, market intelligence research, and in-country connections.

Challenges Remain, But the Future Is Bright

During the ongoing public negotiations, the US business community has been making a case for the renewal of the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Continuing to work with US partners is essential for securing a North American trade agreement that works for all. Amid the uncertainties in the US, other countries in Europe and Asia continue to abide by the rules-based trading system, providing some stability for Canadian businesses.

Yet there is still more to be done. Organizations like OWIT remain key advocates for the meaningful inclusion of women in trade agreements, helping to ensure women can fully participate in and benefit from international trade, de Boer said.

Looking towards the future, de Boer’s advice to women interested in careers in this field is simple: “Do it!” Canada has a significant number of women in trade leadership roles today, which offers strong networks and momentum for the next generation.

The event included a lunch, networking, and a special award presentation recognizing the achievements of an OWIT-Toronto founder, Susan Baka. A big shout-out to our Co-VPs of Events, Susan Langdon and Lilian Marins, and to MC Audrey Ross, Cathy Williamson, Susan Baka, Alma Farias and the volunteers for all their work in organizing and executing the event.

Special thanks as well to  our sponsors - Scotiabank, McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Export Development Canada, Jewels 4 Ever, Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH), and the Government of Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service.