The first Canadian LGBTQ Trade Delegation to the United Kingdom and Europe marks a new chapter in fostering a more inclusive Canadian economy.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TORONTO, ON – March 8, 2023 – Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) in  partnership with its global affiliates, East Meets West and Out Britain, are conducting their first LGBTQ+ Trade Mission to London in The United Kingdom and Vienna, Austria from March 16 to March 21, 2023. 

The delegation will be made up of Canadian-based small and medium sized LGBTQ owned businesses looking to grow their networks, explore new business opportunities and support supplier diversity. 

The trade mission comes as Canada and the United Kingdom continue to negotiate a bilateral free trade agreement to replace the current Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement (Canada-U.K. TCA), ratified following the UK’s exit from the European Union and CETA. LGBTQ Certified businesses attending will learn about UK EU supplier-diversity programs and be given access to new business opportunities in the UK and Europe. Larger corporate entities participating will be offered networking opportunities with LGBTQ suppliers from Canada and across the global affiliate business networks. 

“This is an historic moment for Canada’s LGBTQ businesses and we are proud to be promoting and supporting their growth internationally,” says Darrell Schuurman, CEO and Co-founder of CGLCC.  “From accessing a larger customer base and increasing profitability, to diversifying revenue streams and staying competitive, there are so many benefits to international expansion.” 

CanExport, the Government of Canada agency charged to support the growth of Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises, is supporting the trade mission with partial funding, including for travel and accommodation for the selected LGBTQ certified businesses attending. CGLCC has also partnered with the Canadian Trade Commissioner Services of Canada as part of its Trade Diversification Strategy. This strategy is ‘advancing an inclusive approach to trade that seeks to ensure that the benefits and opportunities that flow from trade are more widely shared, including with under-represented groups.’

Read the letter of support from The Honourable Mary Ng, MP. Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development. Government of Canada

About Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce 

Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) links 2SLGBTQI+ businesses in Canada to the wider business and corporate community. It fosters economic growth by supporting and nurturing 2SLGBTQI+ businesses, entrepreneurs, students and allies, and by helping Canada’s corporate world connect with the 2SLGBTQI+ business community.  www.cglcc.ca

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