Support for exporters from diverse backgrounds

Ensuring everyone can participate in international trade unlocks diverse perspectives, ideas, and talents. This inclusivity drives innovation, enhances competition, and delivers better outcomes for businesses and communities globally. 
 
Our commitment to support diversity and inclusion in trade matches Canada's Export Diversification Strategy. This helps ensure each trade group gets its fair share of the benefits of international trade including:

• women
• Indigenous peoples
• members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities
• visible minorities
• youth

We offer tailored support to help you grow your business abroad and find the right markets for your products and services. You can get support during your export journey by working with Trade Commissioners at one of our six regional offices. Their roles include:

• Global network connection: We connect businesses with international networks and opportunities, helping you reach more customers and partners around the world.
• Guidance on CanExport funding applications: We offer advice on how to apply for funding to support your export activities.
• Tailored business programs at trade events: We provide matchmaking services and organize trade trips and events to connect export-ready Canadian companies with international buyers and partners.
• Access to inclusive trade support ecosystem: We connect businesses with programs and resources that support inclusive trade, offering extra help, training, and specialized services to boost export success.
• Stakeholder relationship management: We build relationships with business associations, chambers of commerce, and regional/provincial organizations to create a supportive environment for diverse businesses.
• Canadian Technology Accelerator program: We offer support, market access, and targeted connections for companies with an existing technology in 12 global tech hubs.
• Step-by-Step Guide: Guides, export checklist, resources, and trade glossary.

Our Business Women in International Trade (BWIT) program supports women entrepreneurs in accessing global markets. BWIT offers:

• women-focused trade missions
• networking opportunities
• targeted guidance for global markets

Through events and trade missions, women in trade can gain insights and meet potential business partners through business-to-business (B2B) meetings. BWIT also connects women-owned and led businesses with export funding programs like CanExport SMEs which provides grants for market research, travel, and export costs.

Contact your regional office for more information.

We work with national industry associations and certification groups to promote supplier diversity worldwide. Supplier diversity programs encourage major companies and governments to include diverse suppliers in their supply chains. This helps foster inclusive economic growth by actively sourcing goods and services from businesses owned by:

• women
• Indigenous Peoples
• members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities
• visible minorities
• among others

Supplier diversity is essential as it drives innovation, enhances competitiveness, and creates new opportunities for exporters to access diverse markets, meet global demands, and promote inclusive economic growth. Becoming a certified supplier has several benefits: 

• Exclusive opportunities: Sell to corporations and governments that prioritize buying from diverse suppliers
• Networking: Join supplier diversity events to connect with corporate members and other diverse suppliers
• Business growth: Get special training, tools and resources to grow your business, including matchmaking, mentorship, and trade missions
• Visibility and recognition: Be featured in national business directories, online platforms, newsletters, and events

Contact these organizations to learn more about certifying your business:

• Black entrepreneurs and Businesses of Canada Society (BEBC Society)
• Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC)
• Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB)
• Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC)
• Inclusive Workplace and Supply Council for Canada (IWSCC)
• WBE Canada
• WEConnect International

We also offer CanExport SMEs funding to help cover certification costs and expenses for attending trade events outside Canada.

Every year, we lead business delegations to leading supplier diversity events to highlight Canadian capabilities and connect diverse exporters with global opportunities.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Join our business delegation at the Reservation Economic Summit (RES), the leading Indigenous business and enterprise development summit in the U.S. to connect with buyers, partners, and investors through tailored matchmaking, networking, and promotional opportunities.

Join us at WBENC, North America’s premier event for women entrepreneurs, gain U.S. market insights, forge supplier diversity connections, and showcase your business to top corporate and government buyers.

Discover more events to help take your business to the world.