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Dear BCCTC members and friends,

Welcome to the latest edition of the BCCTC newsletter, where we bring together timely intelligence, expert insight, and strategic opportunities relevant to businesses engaged in UK–Canada trade and investment. This edition highlights a broad range of initiatives, programmes, and developments designed to support internationally focused organisations as they navigate an increasingly complex global commercial environment. We are also pleased to welcome our new sponsor members, BDO and Manitoulin Global Forwarding, whose expertise will further strengthen the Chamber’s network and resources.

We begin with an overview of the Department for Business and Trade’s Export Support Directory, a key component of the UK Government’s International Market Service, which connects UK exporters with trusted professional service providers to support international growth — we are proud to announce that BCCTC member Payments International is now an approved ESD provider, offering specialist solutions for secure and efficient international payments. Alongside this, we highlight the opening of the CanExport SMEs programme, providing Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises access to funding for international business development activities, and emphasise the importance of early, well-prepared applications in a competitive funding landscape.

This issue also features the latest UK–Canada Trade and Investment Factsheet, providing a data-driven snapshot of the strength and continued growth of the bilateral economic relationship, as well as a legal analysis from BCCTC member Christophe Shammas on the enforcement of foreign judgments in Ontario. In addition, we highlight a range of sector-specific programmes and opportunities, including the City of Toronto’s Food and Beverage Accelerator, and look ahead to Scotland–Canada Business Week 2026, a flagship platform for strengthening commercial partnerships, investment flows, and collaboration across priority sectors.

Further updates from our members and partners include economic outlooks, professional development resources, career opportunities, and upcoming events and webinars across finance, technology, life sciences, and consumer sectors. We conclude with key announcements and forthcoming networking opportunities designed to support meaningful engagement within the BCCTC community and beyond.

We hope this edition provides valuable insight and practical guidance to support your international objectives and we encourage you to explore the opportunities highlighted throughout.

The British Canadian Chamber of Trade and Commerce

DBT The Export Support Directory

The Department for Business and Trade’s Export Support Directory (ESD) connects UK companies with trusted service providers to help them grow internationally. As part of DBT’s International Market Service, the ESD offers exporters access to expert, fee-based support across areas such as legal and accountancy advice, market research, PR and marketing, and event management.

We are proud to announce that BCCTC member Payments International is now an approved ESD provider, offering specialist solutions for secure and efficient international payments. By joining the ESD, Payments International and other providers gain a direct channel to high-potential UK exporters, helping businesses navigate new markets with confidence and professional support.

CanExport SMEs is now open

CanExport SMEs is a funding program that helps Canadian small and medium-sized businesses take their next steps abroad. The program supports eligible companies with funding for international business development activities, from market research to trade events and travel.

With demand continuing to rise and funding limited, preparation is essential. Not all eligible applications will receive funding, so the strongest submissions are well researched and well prepared.

Trade and Investment Factsheets

Date of release: 2 February 2026

This factsheet provides businesses and investors with a data-driven overview of the UK–Canada economic relationship, highlighting the scale and recent growth of bilateral trade and investment. Total UK–Canada trade in goods and services reached £31.1 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q3 2025, reflecting a 17.2% year-on-year increase, with UK exports rising to £18.3 billion and imports from Canada growing to £12.8 billion. The factsheet also outlines the strength of two-way foreign direct investment, with UK FDI stock in Canada standing at £54.5 billion and Canadian FDI stock in the UK at £35.6 billion, underlining Canada’s position as a significant and well-established market for internationally focused UK businesses. Read the full report here.

Enforcing Foreign Judgments in Ontario

Appeal’s recent decision in Hilmer Motorsport GmbH v. Mason (2025 ONCA 875) provides important guidance on the enforcement of foreign judgments in Ontario, particularly in the context of contracts containing arbitration clauses. The case illustrates the courts’ strict and narrow approach to enforcement defences and serves as a cautionary example for parties who choose not to participate in foreign proceedings, highlighting the significant risks of failing to assert jurisdictional or arbitral rights at an early stage. Read the full article here.

By BCCTC Member Christophe Shammas*, Partner Commercial Litigation          

T. 416.748.5121 | C. 647.887.8464 | F. 416.746.8319 | cshammas@LN.Law

*Christophe J. Shammas Professional Corporation

Loopstra Nixon LLP

Apply for the 2026 Food and Beverage Accelerator program with the City of Toronto

YSpace, York University, is back with the Food and Beverage Accelerator, a five-month program designed to help high-growth food and beverage ventures scale their operations, access new distribution channels and connect with expert mentors and peers. Founders will gain the tools, skills and networks needed to thrive in the competitive Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry. Applications close Saturday, February 28. Learn more and apply. 

Scotland-Canada Business Week in April

Online Information Event – Scotland–Canada Business Week

On 29 January, an online information session was held to provide an overview of the upcoming Scotland–Canada Business Week, scheduled to take place in April 2026. The event was hosted by the Inverness Chamber of Commerce and featured contributions from the BCCTC, who attended as a key speaker.

The session highlighted Scotland–Canada Business Week as a strategic platform designed to strengthen trade, investment, and partnership opportunities between Scottish and Canadian businesses. Speakers outlined Scotland’s strong position as a destination for inward investment, noting its long-standing status as the UK’s leading region outside London, as well as its leadership in clean energy, renewable technologies, and low-carbon innovation.

Further emphasis was placed on Scotland’s world-class exports, including whisky, salmon, and premium seafood, alongside the country’s highly skilled workforce and strong academic and research base. These strengths were presented as particularly attractive to Canadian companies seeking international growth and collaboration.

The programme for Business Week was outlined in detail, including B2B meetings, sector-specific breakout sessions (Energy, Food & Drink, Tech, and Life Sciences), networking events, a roundtable dinner and whisky tasting, and site visits across Edinburgh, the West Highlands, the Isle of Skye, and Inverness.



Overall, the event provided valuable insight into the scope and benefits of Scotland–Canada Business Week and reinforced the role of the Inverness Chamber of Commerce and the British Canadian Chamber in supporting cross-border business engagement and long-term economic collaboration.

To find out more about Scotland-Canada Business Week 2026, visit Inverness Chamber’s website here. To register interest, email international@inverness-chamber.co.uk 

Don’t miss this chance to put Scotland on your map!

ACCA Policy and Insights: 2026 Global Economic Outlook

The global economy looks set to expand at a decent pace once again in 2026, but it is an unpredictable and fragile backdrop. Elevated uncertainty, fragmentation and financial risk are reshaping how organisations, professionals and policymakers plan for the future. Read more here.

ACCA Learning: AI literacy and Governance

This course is designed to provide you with foundational knowledge of AI’s role in today’s digital landscape, the risks and limitations of AI technologies, methods for effective communication with GenAI tools, the basic structure of the EU AI Act and best practices for using AI in your organization. Learn more here.

ACCA Careers

Attract the best finance and accountancy talent to your business! Our FREE premium listings provide prominent positioning for your job, ensuring greater exposure across ACCA Careers. Get started here.

Join BCCTC Member Xtalks to explore transformative strategies for pediatric rare disease trials with J. Stuart Elborn CBE, MD, Maria-Cruz Morillo, and Jessica K. Roberts, PhD, in this webinar hosted by Allucent. They will examine how modeling and simulation, including population PK, allometric scaling, and adult extrapolation, can optimize study design and minimize the participation burden on children and their families. 

Register now to learn how leveraging specialized site networks and cross-functional expertise can de-risk recruitment and accelerate the path toward critical regulatory milestones: click here.

Valentine’s Day gifting shouldn't be complicated—just considered. Elevate his daily routine with heritage grooming essentials from Truefitt & Hill designed to look sharp, feel confident, and smell exceptional. 

It's your last chance to enjoy a complimentary bar of Highgrove Soap when you spend $200*—a refined finishing touch he’ll appreciate every day. *Valid online only. Cannot be used with other offers. While quantities last.

Apply Now to Attend The Royal Garden Party

The application period for the Royal Garden Party is now open. 

Nominated guests should be drawn from a diverse range of individuals and organisations. They should recognise excellent contributions in their field, in public service, voluntary or community work.

📅 When: Wednesday, 6th May, Friday, 8th May & Tuesday, 12th May at Buckingham Palace

Eligibility Requirements:

✔ Have not attended a Royal Garden Party before

✔ Be a Canadian citizen with a valid Canadian passport and residing in the UK

✔ Nominated guests may be of any nationality and resident in the UK. All applicants are encouraged to attend with a guest

✔ Provide two forms of ID (one must be photographic) on the day of the event

Please read the instructions on this website.

How to Apply:

📌 Complete this form to apply

📌 Email a copy of your and your guest’s passports to LDNRSVPHOM-CDM@international.gc.ca

🕓 Deadline: Thursday, 5th February 2026 at 16:00

Don’t miss this unique opportunity - apply now!

European Chambers Meetups

Save the date!

18th March to be hosted by the Belgian Canadian Business Chamber

21st May featuring EUCCAN!