Global Affairs Canada

In order to analyze the vulnerability and risks of a supply chain disruption to Canada, it is important to understand where Canada and Canadian firms fit into GVCs. On the one hand, if Canada’s production mainly happens at the beginning—or upstream—of a GVC, the primary concern would be a...

There have been many studies that examine the Canada-U.S. trade relationship; this is deservedly so as the U.S. is Canada’s dominant trading partner. In 2018, the minister of international trade diversification announced a target to increase overseas exports by 50% by 2025.Footnote1 China is the...

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, global supply chains are at the risk of major disruptions. This report provides a cursory analysis of products that have limited international supply for Canada. These products could be especially susceptible and may require extra attention from policy makers...

Largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada’s merchandise trade —and merchandise trade around the world—has been volatile in the last two years. Business closures to control the spread of the virus, shifts in spending patterns, volatile commodity prices, and lingering supply chain issues have...

This report reviews of the characteristics of Indigenous small and medium enterprises (SMEs) involved in international trade, and identifies opportunities for enhanced federal policy and program design to support Indigenous business performance in international markets. Exporting is one of the...

Canada has a large, diverse, and highly educated immigrant population that makes an important contribution to the Canadian economy. This study examines the contribution of immigrant-led businesses to Canada’s export performance and study find that Canada’s foreign-born population is more...

This paper builds on the previous limited supply products study and provides an updated framework for identifying Canadian imports that are vulnerable to foreign disruptions. Several limitations from the previous study are addressed, including the consideration of domestic production capacity and...

This study focuses on the diversity of merchandise and commercial services exports by destination. Export diversity is important to hedge against the risk of an economic downturn in partner economies, but it also helps to protect against the threat of trade protectionism. Protectionism is...

Canada’s Export Diversification Strategy facilitates efforts to help Canadian businesses reduce the uncertainties and potential disruptions they may face in international trade, as well as help them seize the opportunities created by diversifying to new global markets.

This paper explores the volatility of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows coming into Canada, and how some increases which may seem extremely significant, such as the 64% growth in flows from 2017 to 2018, can be misinterpreted without proper context and a broader, historical view of FDI flows.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released its January Global Investment Trends Monitor report providing preliminary estimates for inward foreign direct investment (FDI) flows in 2020. This summary compares these annual results with those of the first half of 2020...

Understand how small and medium-sized enterprises may expand Canadian SMEs business footprint by accessing global markets.

The Canada-European Union (EU) Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA or Agreement) is a comprehensive agreement that covers virtually all sectors and aspects of Canada-EU trade. The Agreement provisionally entered into force on September 21, 2017, and has eliminated or reduced barriers...

In this study only merchandise trade will be considered. This is partly due to data constraints, and partly because most services, especially those that can be delivered digitally, are assumed to be minimally affected by transportation disruptions.Footnote1 For both imports (upstream supply) and...

Increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) in developing countries can play an important role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals. In this context, a descriptive analysis of Canadian direct investment abroad (CDIA), by revenue level and by geographic region of recipient countries, was...

This study will analyse the potential economic impact of a lack of the Trade Continuity Agreement between Canada and the United Kingdom when the United Kingdom would no longer be a legal party to Canada-EU treaties, including CETA as of January 1, 2021. In the absence of a transitional agreement...

At Global Affairs Canada, we celebrate diversity in all its forms. In this story, we highlight resilience, celebrate talent and address the issue of workplace transition for transgender people.

Did you know that Global Affairs Canada supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in many ways? For instance, Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy adopted in 2017 led to feminist evaluations of programs, contributing directly to SDG5. Read this new story that will...

Global Affairs Canada takes concrete action toward reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. This new story shows how we work to advance their rights and perspectives in all our operations: diplomacy, trade, security, international assistance, consular affairs and management.

In this article, you will learn more about the remarkable experiences of Asian Canadian leaders at Global Affairs Canada (GAC).