Strengthening ties between Italy and Canada, with more than 300 companies and over 350 delegates gathered at The Globe and Mail Centre in Toronto, has been the objective of the Italy-Canada Business Forum, an event organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) and Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

The Italian delegation, led by Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Maria Tripodi, included 65 companies and representatives from key Italian institutions (SACE, SIMEST, CDP—Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, and Unioncamere-Assocamerestero). They met with over 240 Canadian companies and 40 representatives from local government and business organizations.

“Relations between Italy and Canada are experiencing extraordinary growth. The two economies are complementary and have enormous potential for growth,” said Italy’s Ambassador to Canada, Alessandro Cattaneo.

“At a historic juncture in which Canada—a G7 leader in energy and mineral resources—aims to strengthen its production system and strategic autonomy, Italy is ready to rise to the challenge and is presenting itself with a high-profile delegation, positioning itself as a strategic partner in sectors such as energy, critical minerals, defense, infrastructure, and advanced engineering.”

Lorenzo Galanti, Director General of the Italian Trade Agency, outlined the trade figures: “Italian exports to Canada, which reached a record high of 13.4 billion Canadian dollars in 2025—a 40% increase over the past three years—continued to grow in 2026, with a 10% increase in the first eight months of the year.”

Over the past year, the Agency ran 25 promotional projects in Canada involving 330 Italian companies. It also brought more than 250 Canadian trade professionals and buyers to trade shows in Italy. In retail, five agreements with Canadian chains put products from more than 1,600 Italian companies on store shelves. “Canada is a growing market, and ICE Agency stands firmly alongside Italian companies to support them on this journey,” Galanti said.

Three parallel workshops covered the Forum’s priority sectors: advanced manufacturing and automotive; energy, mining and infrastructure; and defense, aerospace and cybersecurity. Speakers included Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure, David Piccini, Canada’s Chief Trade Commissioner, Sara Wilshaw, and Doug Guzman, CEO of the Defense Investment Agency. Representatives of CAE, Bombardier, Rogers and other Canadian companies also took part. On the Italian side, ENI, Leonardo, Fincantieri, Webuild and Bocconi University were among the contributors.

Lega Serie A also participated in the event to promote the excellence of Made in Italy and help strengthen relations between the two countries through sport. Representing the league was its Ambassador Leonardo Bonucci, who met with the Italian and Canadian authorities, underlining the value of sport as a tool for promoting Italy in the world and the values of culture, tradition, and innovation that characterize its identity.