Welcome to the EUCCAN December Newsletter
This edition brings together key highlights from the second half of 2025, including a message from our President, strategic developments in EU–Canada trade relations, important event recaps, and milestones from across our member network. We invite you to explore the updates and celebrate the progress with us.
As 2025 comes to a close, I am pleased to share a quick wrap-up of our year. This year was marked by strong engagement, great events, and a sustained focus on trade diversification and building connections. We started the year by partnering with the France Canada Chamber of Commerce for a trade session that powerfully reinforced the strength of EU–Canada business ties. In May, we showcased the benefits of CETA and the importance of trade relations between Canada and the EU through our flagship EU-Canada Day event. This sold-out gathering brought members together and highlighted opportunities across various sectors. To advance policy, we followed up with the EUCCAN Position Paper 2025 and a subsequent webinar. This effort translated the content of our EU-Canada Day event into an actionable foundation, underscoring the benefits of rules-based trade and deeper transatlantic cooperation.
Community connections were front and center this year with a couple of notable gatherings: The Nordic Consulars’ Cup Golf Event, where EUCCAN joined for the first time bringing with us sponsors and golfers to add to the community. The event was fun and members enjoyed networking in a relaxed setting. Just recently, we convened a CEO Roundtable in Toronto, which sparked insightful dialogue on CUSMA and strategies for 2026. Finally, we closed the year by celebrating our 30th Anniversary Holiday Toast, honoring three decades of partnership and progress.
I would like to thank the hard work and contributions of our executive team and other volunteers who step up to help us deliver our program throughout the year. If you have interest to be more involved please let us know, there are many ways you can get involved!
On behalf of the EUCCAN leadership, we wish you and your families a peaceful holiday season and a joyful New Year. We are excited to build on this momentum and deliver even more impact with you in 2026.
Warm regards,
Adrian Thomas
President, EUCCAN
HIGHLIGHTS JULY TO DECEMBER
Bi-Lateral Engagement
To mark Denmark’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, EUCCAN participated in several initiatives with the Consulate General of Denmark, Toronto, including a visit from the Federation of Danish Employers Association and the EU-Chairship event EU-Canada Trade: Striving for Simpler Regulation. Strengthening EU–Canada trade and investment is central to The Danish EU Presidency agenda, offering opportunities to lower regulatory barriers, support innovation, and enhance competitiveness on both sides of the Atlantic. The EU-Chairship event on December 4th brought together business leaders, representatives from the EU, and industry experts for presentations followed by a panel discussion. Participants explored practical ways to drive mutual beneficial innovation and investment in the EU and Canada by simplifying regulations and creating enabling framework conditions to unlock private investment in sustainable economic growth.
CEO Roundtable
In November, EUCCAN held its annual CEO roundtable. This year’s theme: Beyond North America: How CUSMA Talks Could Reshape Canada–EU Ties. As the 2026 renegotiation of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement approaches, this roundtable explored: potential consequences of CUSMA renegotiations for EU businesses operating in or trading with Canada; strategic risks and realignments for Canadian companies engaged in transatlantic supply chains; opportunities to deepen Canada–EU economic integration amid shifting geopolitical priorities. Insights from this discussion will inform a position paper. Thank you for our venue partner and host: Neo Performance Materials.
Bridging the Atlantic: Canada-EU Economic Relations-Challenges and Opportunities for CETA
Exploring the Future of Rail Innovation in Europe and Canada
EUCCAN was pleased to participate in the European Rail event, a showcase of cutting-edge advancements in rail safety and technology. Innovative companies across Europe and Canada are shaping the future of sustainable rail infrastructure. The strong collaboration between our regions, supported by agreements like CETA and programs such as Horizon Europe, is creating new opportunities for shared growth and technological progress. These partnerships will help both Canadian and European companies adopt next-generation solutions as we work toward safer, greener, and more efficient rail systems.
Position Paper Launch
Building on key takeaways from our critical seminar on May 22, 2025, this paper also takes into consideration input from a follow-up workshop with European and Canada business, focused on deepening the EU-Canada strategic trade relationship during this time of global uncertainty, identifying key opportunities and challenges, and leveraging the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). This paper was produced by EUCCAN and the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Toronto.
Rebuild Ukraine Conference
EUCCAN was pleased to support the 4th Annual Rebuild Ukraine Business Conference in Toronto on December 2nd. Attendees were joined by global leaders, businesses, and government officials, hosted by the Canada Ukraine Chamber of Commerce. Centered on the theme “Strength in Unity: Building Ukraine’s Future”, this year’s event highlighted the vital role of Canada-Ukraine-EU-UK collaboration in driving Ukraine’s long-term recovery and modernization. Presented in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, Export Development Canada | Exportation et développement Canada, Embassy of Ukraine in Canada | Посольство України в Канаді, Embassy of Canada | Ambassade du Canada in Ukraine, Business Council of Canada, Canada EU Trade and Investment Association (CEUTIA), EUCCAN European Union Chamber of Commerce in Canada, and CEO Club Ukraine.
Welcome to Our Newest Member
In Q4, we welcomed the Estonian Canadian Chamber of Commerce which promotes commerce, trade and investment for both Canada and Estonia, and fosters professional contacts for individual and corporate members.
Holiday Toast Kicking Off a Year of 30th Anniversary Celebrations
On December 4th, the board, our members, and stakeholders joined together for a holiday toast to kick off a year of 30th anniversary celebrations. The Chamber was founded in 1995 in Toronto, Ontario with the purpose of strengthening economic ties between Canada and Europe. Originally incorporated as The European Union Chamber of Commerce in Toronto (EUCOCIT), the organization was renamed in 2013—EUCCAN: The European Union Chamber of Commerce in Canada—with an eye to becoming a country-wide platform, focused on advocacy, information, and representation. We gathered on the Danforth in Toronto, a neighbourhood that boasts multiple European businesses including Portuguese, French, Greek, Dutch, Italian, Irish, Hungarian, and more! Thank you to our sponsors: Noonan’s Irish Pub, The France Canada Chamber of Commerce ON and Manitoba, Pizza Nova and the Italian Chamber of Commerce Ontario, Borrel Dutch Restaurant and Holland House Canada, The Hellenic Canadian Board of Trade, The Canadian Slovenian Chamber of Commerce, The Canadian Croation Chamber of Commerce, Two Stacks Irish Whiskey and Invest Northern Ireland, the Consulate General of the Czech Republic Toronto, and PMA Canada Ltd.
Joint Declaration
following the fourth Canada – European Union joint ministerial committee meeting
On November 12th, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, Anita Anand, and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, Kaja Kallas, met in Niagara for the fourth Canada-European Union (EU) Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) to advance the Canada-EU relationship and review progress made since the 20th Canada-EU Summit of 23 June 2025.
Team Europe Meets Prime Minister Mark Carney
On November 28th, Her Excellency Geneviève Tuts, the EU’s Ambassador to Canada, and His Excellency Nikolaj Harris, Denmark’s Ambassador, gathered the 27 heads of mission from EU member states for a working lunch with Prime Minister Mark Carney. The meeting offered the Prime Minister an opportunity to share his government’s priorities and to signal where he sees room for deeper ties with Europe. For Brussels and Ottawa alike, the encounter served as a reminder that their interests continue to converge. Both sides now seem keen to turn diplomatic goodwill into a sturdier, more ambitious partnership.
