July 30, 2026 – Brampton, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

In an increasingly complex and competitive global environment, Canadian businesses are looking for greater support as they actively diversify their exports to markets abroad. To support and guide Canadian businesses to grow and expand into global markets, the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, today announced the creation of Canada’s Strategic Exports Office (SEO). Established within Global Affairs Canada and led in close collaboration with Export Development Canada, the new office will strengthen Canada’s ability to secure international business opportunities and coordinate senior-level commercial engagement in strategic sectors, including aerospace and defence, infrastructure and energy.

The SEO will bring together Canada’s diplomatic, commercial and financial expertise to remove trade barriers and open more doors for Canadian companies looking to succeed in markets worldwide. By combining Canada’s diplomacy efforts, market intelligence and financial know-how, the SEO will support Canadian businesses pursuing strategic export opportunities by:

• identifying and advancing large-scale export opportunities critical to Canada’s economic interests
• coordinating whole-of-government engagement to support Canadian firms
• supporting targeted advocacy by senior government officials where it can be decisive

While in Brampton, Minister Sidhu also announced the launch of Canada’s Strategic Exports Advisory Council. The council will provide a forum for strategic dialogue between the Government of Canada and private sector leaders on trade diversification and the operations of the SEO. The council will advise the Minister on opportunities and challenges related to international trade diversification for Canadian businesses and provide real-time feedback on how to best support them. The members of the council are:

• OpenText – Ayman Antoun, CEO
• Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers – Lisa Baiton, President and CEO
• CAE – Matthew Bromberg, President and CEO
• De Havilland – Sherry Brydson, Owner
• Nouveau Monde Graphite – Eric Desaulniers, Founder, President and CEO
• AtkinsRéalis – Ian Edwards, President and CEO
• Cameco – Tim Gitzel, CEO
• Telesat – Daniel Goldberg, President and CEO
• MDA Space – Mike Greenley, CEO
• Canadian Chamber of Commerce – Candace Laing, President and CEO
• WSP – Alexandre L’Heureux, President and CEO
• Bombardier – Éric Martel, President and CEO
• Scotiabank – Scott Thompson, President and CEO
• Manulife – Philip Witherington, President and CEO

The Strategic Exports Advisory Council represents hundreds of thousands of jobs across Canada. Establishing the SEO and the Council reflects Canada’s commitment to trade diversification and supports our goal of doubling exports to markets beyond the United States by 2035. This positions Canada for long-term economic growth and creates opportunity and prosperity for Canadians here at home.