UK-Canada relations more important than ever - High Commissioner

A top Canadian diplomat has told delegates at a UK-Canada trade conference in Birmingham that continuing the relationship between the two countries is more important now than ever, writes Sophia Corness-Parr.

Greater Birmingham Transatlantic Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce welcomed the High Commissioner for Canada in the UK, The Honourable Ralph Goodale, and senior trade commissioner, Colin Barker, to Conference Aston where UK-Canada ties, and trade opportunities for UK businesses, were discussed.

Selected as High Commissioner only last year, Ralph Goodale spoke on the “abundant ties between governments ” and trusts in the two countries, as well as the cultural likeness between them.

Mr Goodale said: “Canada and the UK together are in more international groupings than any other two nations worldwide. ”

This includes the likes of NATO, G7 and the Commonwealth.

He said that continuing this relationship was “important now more than ever ” and businesses should look to “diversify beyond Europe ”.

Mr Goodale also acknowledged the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

He said: “The brutal actions [of Russia] undermines the sovereignty of all nations.

“In a troubled world we need allies, partners and friends. ”

He spoke about the need for nations to accelerate their reliance away from Russia for energy, saying: “The world has to come to grips with food and energy markets. ”

Negotiating a comprehensive free trade deal between Canada and the UK will provide opportunities for Birmingham-based businesses, particularly SMEs - as it was noted at the event that there are currently 10,000 UK SMEs trading with Canada.

Mr Goodale said that he would like to see an “ambitious and inclusive ” trade deal to expand gender equality, labour fairness and environmental integrity.

Three guest speakers talked about their experiences trading with Canada.

Elisabeth Lewis-Jones, CEO of Liquid PR, spoke about the agency 's partnership with Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, the province responsible for supplying 72 per cent of maple syrup globally.

She said engaging with the high commission had produced a “fountain of knowledge ” for her business.

Partnering with the maple syrup company even led to Liquid 's own chefs working alongside those at Canada House.

Ms Lewis-Jones added that they were “incredibly honest to deal with ”.

Paul Faulkner, chief of staff and operations at RCL partners, discussed the business ' real estate developments in Canada.

He said: “Canada is one of [Richardson 's] five core key investment markets. ”

The former Chamber CEO also noted that investment into cities such as Toronto was also “a great sweep into the US east coast. ”

Mr Faulkner added: “The team at Canada House is second to none. The ability to get off a plane, feel at home and get on and do business is the fact that this relationship has worked. ”

Warwick Wakefield, customer experience director at Flexeserve, spoke about the growth of the hot food-to-go solutions company in North America and the appeal of the Canadian market.

Flexeserve, who have had £27million worth of revenue so far with 76 per cent coming from exports, have already tapped into the food industry in the US, collaborating with the likes of Amazon and Starbucks.

The Canadian market boasts a nation of foodies, 39 per cent of the population according to Flexeserve 's research. To take advantage of this, Mr Wakefield spoke about branching out into Canadian supermarkets, bakeries and fast-food stores and the company is now seeking to take the next steps in its Canadian journey.

Pictured (left to right): Warwick Wakefield, customer experience director, Flexeserve; James Tait, president of Greater Birmingham Transatlantic Chamber of Commerce; Elisabeth Lewis-Jones, chief executive officer, Liquid PR; Ralph Goodale, Canadian High Commissioner to the UK; Paul Faulkner, chief of staff and operations, RCL Partners; Mandy Haque, international director at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce; Joel Blake, president of Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce and Colin Barker, senior trade commissioner, High Commission of Canada to the UK

Picture credit: Jas Sansi