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Dear BCCTC members and friends, 

Following a collaborative event between the BCCTC and Tech Canada Advocates (TCA) last November, where we brought together decision makers and thought leaders in the tech industry in Canada and the UK, we are now launching the Advanced Manufacturing Cluster of Tech Canada Advocates in Toronto. The date is October 29th and we will be announcing more details soon.

Our focus is on keeping you informed about key developments in Canada-UK relations and offering opportunities to connect with like-minded business professionals. Whether you're looking to expand your network, explore new markets, or stay updated on the latest bilateral trade news, we’re here to provide the resources and connections you need to succeed.

Do you have an idea for a program? Want to host an event? Let us know! info@bcctc.ca

British Canadian Chamber of Trade and Commerce

BCCTC October Newsletter

UK-Canada Industry News and Updates

• UK-Canada Trade & Inv stats
• Exploring Ontario's MedTech Ecosystem, Oct 17-18
• Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
• Minister Valdez highlights federal government's significant new supports to help Mississauga small business owners
• Britain set for growth with International Investment Summit

BCCTC Member Success Stories

• B2B AI platform B2BeeMatch 🐝 joins XIXème Sommet de la Francophonie and brings French-speaking entrepreneurs to the forefront.

Member and Events Updates

• The BCCTC joins British Day at Spruce Meadows, Alberta, with the British High Commission and the British Consulate-General in Calgary.
• European Networking Event
• Oxford vs Cambridge Alumni Cricket Match
• Red Arrows, and BCCTC, in Niagara Falls 

Member Offers

• Tools from BCCTC Member ACCA to accelerate your Career and your Business!

EUCCAN

• The newly appointed EU Ambassador to Canada, H.E. Geneviève Tuts, speaks at Conference in Toronto
• EU Film Festival celebrates 20 years!

BAB

• 2024 Transatlantic Confidence Index Shows a Leap of Faith for UK and US Governments

British Community in Canada

Save the date! - Celebrate Christmas with the Royal Commonwealth Society, the Honourable Company of Freemen of the City of London of North America and the St George's Society of Toronto.

Upcoming Events

Join us! Your BCCTC membership gives you discounts to all! 

• Tue, Oct 29: Tech Canada Advocates
• Thu, Nov 07: European Networking Night, hosted by BCCTC.
• April 2025: BRITISHAMERICAN BUSINESS NETWORK Transatlantic Conference, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.

UK-Canada Industry News and Updates

UK-Canada Trade & Inv Stats

Date of release: 20 September 2024; Date of next planned release: 18 October September 2024

Total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) between the UK and Canada was £25.8 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2024, a decrease of 1.1% or £277 million in current prices from the four quarters to the end of Q1 2023. Of this £25.8 billion:

• Total UK exports to Canada amounted to £16.1 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2024 (an increase of 1.7% or £264 million in current prices, compared to the four quarters to the end of Q1 2023);

• Total UK imports from Canada amounted to £9.7 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2024 (a decrease of 5.3% or £541 million in current prices, compared to the four quarters to the end of Q1 2023).

Canada was the UK’s 16th largest trading partner in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2024 accounting for 1.5% of total UK trade.

In 2021, the outward stock of foreign direct investment (FDI) from the UK in Canada was £40.6 billion accounting for 2.3% of the total UK outward FDI stock. In 2021, the inward stock of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the UK from Canada was £42.4 billion accounting for 2.1% of the total UK inward FDI stock. Read More.

Exploring Ontario's MedTech Ecosystem, October 17 & 18, 2024

The Government of Ontario, in partnership with municipal partners, is thrilled to invite international delegates travelling to Toronto for the MedTech Conference 2024 to participate in a complimentary Innovation Road Trip! A road trip within Toronto will take place on Thursday, October 17, immediately following the end of the MedTech Conference program. And a road trip to Brampton will take place on Friday, October 18. More info here.

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

By Canadian High Commission in London, UK

This fall, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East and geopolitical tensions on the rise around the world, Canada and the UK will have an opportunity to work together on global security and peace initiatives in a multitude of multilateral fora, including at the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa (October 21-26). 

This will be the first time a CHOGM is hosted by a Pacific island state, highlighting the challenges, like Climate Change, that our Commonwealth partners face in that part of the world. Of the Commonwealth’s 56 member-states, close to half are small island or developing states. The UK is stressing economic growth, climate justice, and education/skills as its priorities for this meeting. In addition to those three, Canada will urge a strong focus on the protection and advancement of human rights throughout the Commonwealth, and transparent, accountable governance within the organization itself and among its member states.

Minister Valdez highlights federal government's significant new supports to help Mississauga small business owners

First, Minister Valdez spoke about the new reduced credit card transaction fees for small businesses that will take effect on October 19, 2024. More than 90% of small and medium-sized businesses that accept credit cards will receive lower rates and see interchange fees reduced by up to 27%. 

Second, the Minister outlined the payment amounts for the new Canada Carbon Rebate for Small Businesses, which will deliver over $2.5 billion to about 600,000 Canadian businesses before the end of this year. Read more here.

Britain set for growth with International Investment Summit

The UK will host a major International Investment Summit on 14 October 2024, advancing opportunities for investment and growth across the country. October’s summit will be a celebration of modern Britain and will allow global business leaders to hear directly from the PM and Cabinet ministers on how this government will drive future investment. Read more here.

🌟🌟🌟 BCCTC Members Success Stories 🌟🌟🌟

Karima-Catherine Goundiam, BCCTC Member, Tech Founder, Founder & CEO of B2BeeMatch 🐝: B2B AI platform, joins the notable Canadian/Ontario delegation to FrancoTech, key event alongside the XIXème Sommet de la Francophonie, and partners with Fédération des gens d'affaires francophones de l’Ontario, bringing French-speaking entrepreneurs to the forefront. Read more here.

Member and Events Updates

The BCCTC celebrates British Day at Spruce Meadows, Alberta

The BCCTC was delighted to support the British High Commissioner to Canada, Susannah Goshko and the British Consulate-General in Calgary, in celebrating British Day at Spruce Meadows, Alberta on Saturday 7 September. 

It was a warm and sunny day for watching the international show jumping from Canada House: the British Day reception included great food and drink, plenty of networking, plus the opportunities to taste amazing British Cheese from Worldwide Specialty Foods and beverages courtesy of Craftwork Spirits and Soft Crush. We also had a lovely dish courtesy of Eat Curious, a UK company that focuses on tasty plant-based food. The event raised $1,660 last year for Inn from the Cold and this year the Consul General was pleased to announce they raised an almost identical amount for the 2024 Alberta Wildfires Appeal ($1,640), which will go towards helping those affected by the Jasper wildfire earlier this year. 

BCCTC was joined at the event by Chamber Member, CIMA Canada, and also met up with like-minded business professionals from the British and Commonwealth Business Association of Canada.

European networking Event

Thanks for joining us at another European networking 🥳😎🍾 

Special to the Ireland Chamber of Commerce for hosting - delicious food and the venue was excellent!

Thank you for all who could attend the evening and made it an enjoyable, wonderful event. The following Chambers were present:

Belgian Canadian Business Chamber

Canada Finland Chamber of Commerce

Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce Toronto

Holland House Canada

Swiss Canadian Chamber of Commerce (Ontario)



Next one will be hosted by us 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

Oxford vs Cambridge Alumni Cricket Match

Lovely to meet members and friends of Oxford and Cambridge Society of Toronto and the St George's Society of Toronto while spending a perfect Sunday afternoon watching the Oxford vs Cambridge Alumni Cricket Match at Upper Canada College on September 15th.

Congratulations to the winners and many thanks to the Oxford and Cambridge Society of Toronto for a very warm welcome.

Red Arrows, and BCCTC, in Niagara Falls 

By BBC: Red Arrows take dramatic flight over Niagara Falls.

The Red Arrows have performed a colourful flypast at Niagara Falls as part of their tour of Canada. The five-week Maple Hawk tour is marking the Royal Canadian Air Force’s centenary.

Susannah Goshko, the UK's High Commissioner to Canada, said: "It’s fantastic that on the 100th anniversary of the RCAF, the Red Arrows have chosen to come to Canada to celebrate our shared military ties."

Based at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire, the Red Arrows have also taken part in displays at the Air Show Atlantic in Nova Scotia and the Canadian International Airshow in Toronto as part of their trip.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the display team, officially called the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team. Take a look at their spectacular video here.

Member Offers

Tools from BCCTC Member ACCA to accelerate your Career and your Business!

Accounting for the Future 2024 – November 26 – 28, 2024

We are in an era of significant change, and business and wider society are pedalling fast just to keep up. Our flagship conference, Accounting for the Future, on November 26–28, 2024, will give you the insights, strategies and skills you need to thrive throughout the seismic shift. Join us to earn up to 21 units of free CPD and explore critical trends shaping the future. Register Now!

Growing your practice: future proofing with AI – November 6, 2024

This session explores practical applications of AI that enable accountants to elevate their role as strategic advisors while experiencing firm growth. Experts and peers from different parts of the world will provide tips on getting started with AI and leveraging it as a competitive differentiator. The focus is on actionable AI use cases to drive efficiency, insight, and growth. Register Now!

A Living Wage: Crucial for Sustainability (Report)

This report highlights the urgent need for the finance and accountancy profession to lead the charge in addressing wage inequality, a critical factor in reducing global inequality, improving human rights and fostering sustainability. Read more here!

EUCCAN - EU Chamber of Commerce in Canada

BCCTC is an Associate Member of EUCCAN - the principal, unifying voice for EU business interests in Canada.

On September 19th, BCCTC former VP Karima-Catherine Goundiam joined H.E. Genevieve Tuts, Ambasssador-designate of the European Union to Canada, Hon. Victor Fedeli, Ontario's Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and other special guests for a timely and insightful discussion on the critical EU-Canada relationship at the EUCCAN summit in Toronto.

"One common theme throughout the day: across the political spectrum, for businesses of all size and on both sides of the Atlantic, by strengthening our strong government-industry collaboration, we can drive positive change and build a more resilient future together. Looking forward to translating these discussions into action as we continue to deepen CETA and EU-Canada ties." EUCCAN.



EUROPEAN UNION FILM FESTIVAL

Heels & Reels: Celebrating 20 Years of the European Union Film Festival

Thu, Oct 24 at 7:00-9:00 PM

To mark the 20th anniversary of the European Union Film Festival, the Bata Shoe Museum will be co-hosting a special one-night-only launch party, with a celebration of European food, drinks, and cinema at the BSM! Visitors will sample European delicacies, and drinks offered by distinguished food partners, and will get an exclusive first look at the incredible program the festival has lined up for its 20th season. Get tickets here.

The European Union Film Festival is the unique cultural collaboration of all the EU Consulates and Cultural Institutes in Toronto. Showcasing award-winning films for free, the festival will take place from November 14 to 28 at the Spadina Theatre, 24 Spadina Road. 

BAB BritishAmerican Business

2024 Transatlantic Confidence Index Shows a Leap of Faith for UK and US Governments

BCCTC is a member of BAB - the largest transatlantic business network and driving force behind a community of over 2,000 member companies.

The fourth edition of BritishAmerican Business and Bain & Company's index highlights increasing stability and confidence in the US-UK economic corridor, with companies calling for focus on tax competitiveness, trade, and policy stability. By Jonathan Frick, Duncan Edwards, and Emanuel Adam, BAB. Read more here.

British Community in Canada

The Royal Commonwealth Society of Toronto is proud to present A Royal Commonwealth Christmas Gala to be held on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 at The National Club. More info here.

The St George's Society invites BCCTC members to their upcoming activities in the fall The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair on Nov 8, Remembrance Day Ceremony on Nov 11 and thier traditional Christmas Party on Saturday, Dec 7 at St. George's Hall, Arts & Letters Club in Toronto. More info here.

The Honourable Company of Freemen of the City of London of North America Christmas Dinner 2024 will be on 14 Dec 2024; from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM at The Dorset at The Well 457 Wellington St W, Toronto, more info here.

Upcoming Events

Join us! Your BCCTC membership gives you discounts to all! 

• Tue, Sep 24: European Chambers Mixer - member discount applies to only members of the organizing Chambers of Commerce.
• Tue, Oct 29: Tech Canada Advocates
• Thu, Nov 07: European Networking Night
• April 2025: BRITISHAMERICAN BUSINESS NETWORK Transatlantic Conference, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. The BCCTC is a member of this network. The complete event list, which is updated monthly, can be accessed on this link.