Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Agencies
Crown Corporations:
Key sites
Team Canada INC Partners and Federal Organizations
Team Canada Inc, a virtual network relying on the co-operation of all
levels of government, works to help Canadian businesses succeed in world
markets. This single window for Canadian business vastly simplifies access
to everything from training and financing programs for the new exporters,
to on-the-ground support in foreign markets for more experienced Canadian
businesses.
Team Canada Inc is your first stop en route to the information, counselling,
market intelligence, financial assistance and on-the-ground support you
need to make your export venture a successful one.
DFAIT is the lead federal government department working on behalf of
Canadian businesses that are interested or involved in international trade
and investment. The Department has negotiated international trade agreements
such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Canada-Chile
Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA) and the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement
(CIFTA), and is actively pursuing other agreements, including the Free
Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and the European Free Trade Association
(EFTA). As well, it is a member of a number of global trade groups such
as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC) forum.
Since 1894, the TCS has been helping Canadian companies succeed in foreign
markets by promoting the economic interests of Canada in the global marketplace.
Over 300 trade commissioners work in over 100 locations around the world.
They have the expertise in foreign market access, international business
contracts, exporting, foreign business leads, investment in Canada, licensing,
joint ventures and technology transfer.
PEMD offers financial assistance on a matching basis to trade or industry
associations to develop export markets through such activities as trade
show participation, industry Web sites and promotional videos.
The PEMD-Investment Program (PEMD-I) is designed to assist Canadian communities
in attracting foreign investment. The program commits $5 million annually
for public-private partnerships at the local level, with the federal government
contributing up to 50 per cent of the cost of individual initiatives in
such areas as training, database development, research and production
of marketing material, among others.
WIN Exports is the federal government's computerized database used by
Canadian trade officers to match foreign needs to Canadian company capabilities.
IBOC works with Canada's trade commissioners abroad to connect Canadian
companies with business opportunities worldwide. As the sourcing agent
for Team Canada Inc, IBOC co-operates closely with various government
organizations and agencies such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade, Industry Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
The NEBS program provides Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs) with first-hand exporting experience through participation in either
a NEBS or NEBS Plus mission to a U.S. border market. The Reverse NEBS
program brings trade experts to Canada to guide new-to-market firms in
the intricacies of selling beyond our borders.
New Exporters to South America (NEXSA)
The NEXSA program introduces export-ready Canadian companies to South
American markets through five-day missions. NEXSA, which targets SMEs,
is a new approach to trade missions that offers participants market training
and preparation in Canada, followed by a customized program of appointments.
Industry Canada's mission is to foster a growing competitive, knowledge-based
Canadian economy. The Department works with Canadians throughout the economy
and in all parts of the country to improve conditions for investment,
improve Canada's innovation performance, increase Canada's share of global
trade and build a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace. Program
areas include developing industry and technology capability, fostering
scientific research, setting telecommunications policy, promoting investment
and trade, tourism and small business development, and establishing rules
and services that support the effective operation of the marketplace.
Among IC's five strategic objectives are:
Building a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace
To contribute to productivity growth and overall economic well-being,
IC is committed to ensuring that Canada's marketplace framework instruments,
and associated services and products, are geared to making Canada a leader
in the global, knowledge-based economy. A fair, efficient and competitive
marketplace is essential to attracting investment, enhancing trade and
encouraging innovation.
Working with Canadians to increase Canada's share of global trade
Exploiting our global trade opportunities is key to reaping the rewards
of our productive effort. Canada relies on trade for jobs and growth more
than any other industrialized country does. We must take full advantage
of international business prospects, while minimizing risk in a rapidly
changing global economy. Opportunities to address these challenges exist
in the growing global markets for knowledge-intensive products and services.
IC is working to foster an orientation to these global markets, and encourage
more companies to make their products and services export-ready.
IC promotes awareness of export development services to both active and
potential exporters through the federal/provincial Regional Trade Networks.
The five areas of service include: General Information; Skills Development;
Export Counselling; Market Entry Support; and Trade Financing.
Investment Partnerships Canada, a DFAIT-IC collaboration, helps to retain
and expand existing foreign investment and to attract new international
investors and technology to Canada.
Canada's largest business Internet site containing over 800,000 pages
of business information and trade data to assist Canadian enterprises
identify new markets, explore opportunities for growth, find partners,
form alliances, discover and develop new technologies or processes, or
assess the risk of new ventures. The site also provides information ranging
from applying for loans to incorporation, patents and trademarks.
ACOA works to strengthen the international business performance of the
Atlantic region by enhancing the capabilities of SMEs to establish and
expand export activity. ACOA's Business Development Program provides financial
assistance to firms wishing to develop new export markets or other trade-related
activities such as business expansion, export consultation services, product
development or productivity improvement. Funding is also available to
non-profit organizations such as trade associations, export business networks,
export clubs and training institutes that provide export support services.
ACOA targets potential exporters and equips them with export-readiness
skills. The Export Option is promoted through information training and
awareness sessions such as Trade Outreach and Trade Orientation seminars.
The Agency has compiled a Trade Tool Kit to assist staff, provincial colleagues
and export associations in counselling potential exporters. Access to
market information and intelligence has also been an integral part of
ACOA's trade strategy, with emphasis placed on the initiation of market
and sector studies.
BDC offers a variety of flexible and innovative financial and consulting
products designed to help small businesses grow. It plays a leadership
role in delivering these services, with a particular focus on emerging
and export sectors. BDC recognizes that every business is unique and bases
its lending decisions on a company's track record and potential rather
than security-based formulas only.
New Exporter Training and Counseling Program (NEXPRO)
NEXPRO offers training sessions for owners and managers of small businesses
who lack the knowledge and experience necessary for the export process.
Given its strong business orientation and its mandate for administering
trade agreements and controlling the movement of goods and people at Canada's
borders, CCRA plays an active role in international business development.
A key objective is to facilitate trade and investment to enhance the competitiveness
of Canadian industry in the following areas:
Market Access
CCRA participates in international organizations and forums to simplify
procedures, advance the harmonization of customs rules, and foster international
co-operation.
The World Customs Organization:
- works on revising the Kyoto Convention, the International Convention
on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs and Procedures;
- promotes the continued development and application of the Harmonized
System;
- develops rules of origin, and clear guidelines and procedures consistent
with the International Valuation Agreement.
The APEC Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures:
- works to harmonize the customs procedures of APEC economies by implementing
a 12-point Action Plan;
- participates in the development of harmonized customs policies, procedures
and standards in support of trade agreements such as the NAFTA, EFTA,
and FTAA;
- works to facilitate the movement of commercial goods, with the U.S.
under the Canada-U.S. Shared Border Account and through regional organizations
such as the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council;
- provides a tailored outreach program, as well as general services,
to domestic export clients;
- expands the Single Business Number for reporting to allow exporters
to include programs of other government departments;
- encourages, through the Canadian Automated Export Declaration Program
(CAED), the continuing transition for exporters away from paper-based
reporting toward electronic reporting.
CED-Q, through its commitment to providing its clients with services
adapted to their needs, supports development of the economic potential
of the regions of Quebec and the creation of sustainable employment by
fostering a business climate that enables SMEs to prosper and grow.
As a member of the Industry Portfolio, CED-Q actively supports national
priorities, particularly in the following areas: science and technology;
youth entrepreneurship; rural development; foreign trade; investment;
management of the Canadian economic and social union.
CMHC, a Crown Corporation, was created in 1946 to promote the construction
of new houses, the repair and modernization of existing homes, and the
improvement of housing and living conditions. Today, its mandate is in
the areas of housing finance, assisted housing, housing export promotion,
and research and information transfer. CMHC uses its position as the federal
government's housing agency to help Canadian housing companies take advantage
of international business opportunities. It offers the Canadian housing
industry the following international business development products and
services:
Market Access
- identifying and resolving non-tariff trade barriers, such as following
up on the Canadian application for certification of the Canadian Wood
Frame Construction System with German authorities.
Export Capability and Preparedness
- research and market analysis, including consumer preference and needs
studies, and comparisons of housing codes and standards in priority
and emerging markets;
- production of the Canadian Wood Frame House Handbook and the Glossary
of Housing Terms into German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese and Korean;
- exporter training and counselling, and facilitation of Canadian housing
firms' participation in projects abroad.
One of the Department's six key objectives is contributing to Canada's
economic growth and prosperity. At a time when jobs and economic growth
depend increasingly on ideas, information and innovation, culture and
identity will become ever more vital to Canada's economic growth. Canadian
Heritage is committed to ensuring that the cultural and heritage sector
participates and benefits fully from a changing global economy.
The Trade and Investment Branch develops policies and programs to help
Canadian cultural industries export their products and services abroad.
It ensures that Canada's cultural policy objectives are supported in international
trade and investment negotiations and disputes.
CIDA's Industrial Cooperation Program (CIDA-INC) supports business partnerships
in developing countries and projects that involve the transfer of Canadian
know-how and technology, and that constitute profitable and sustainable
partnerships. CIDA-INC has three objectives for Canadian firms:
- to promote Canadian investment in developing countries;
- to help transfer their expertise to developing countries;
- to help them increase the infrastructure base in developing countries.
To this end, CIDA-INC financially supports Canadian firms interested
in working in developing countries, to enable them:
- to invest in joint ventures, license agreements or other long-term
partnerships;
- to secure major service contracts;
- to participate in Private Participation in Infrastructure (PPI) projects.
CIDA-INC recognizes the high costs and risks of working in developing
countries. To encourage Canadian firms to venture into these markets,
CIDA-INC can reduce initial expenses by sharing the costs of feasibility
studies of planned projects.
The Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) is an export sales agency,
wholly owned by the Government of Canada. The CCC helps Canadian exporters
win sales, on improved terms, in government and private-sector markets
around the world.
Using its governmental status to sign export sales contracts on behalf
of Canadian exporters, the Corporation puts the power of Canada behind
an export sale, guaranteeing its full and satisfactory completion.
CCC's customized export sales and contracting services help exporters,
particularly small and medium-sized companies, access opportunities and
win business on better terms.
Through a number of international agreements such as the Montreal Protocol
on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, EC is committed to fostering
a safe, clean and sustainable environment both in Canada and around the
world.
The International Environmental Youth Corps (IEYC) is designed to:
- provide opportunities for young Canadians in international internships
within the environment sector, which will foster their long-term employability;
- strengthen the international capacity of the environment sector to
expand Canadian exports and trade in the environment;
- engage Canadian youth in assisting other countries to deal effectively
with their environmental problems; and
- help create a new cadre of top-notch leadership within the environment
industry with the related economic spin-offs, improved performance,
and capacity building.
EDC is the recognized leader in providing ground-breaking commercial
financial solutions to companies of all sizes, helping them to succeed
in the global marketplace. The Corporation's priorities are aimed at increasing
Canadian capacity to engage in trade, including:
- increasing the number of export-ready SMEs, and improving their access
to financing;
- diversifying into international business markets and, in particular,
supporting exporters in developing markets. EDC helps absorb risk on
behalf of exporters, beyond what is possible by other financial intermediaries.
FCC provides innovative financing solutions to farm families and agri-businesses
across Canada, delivering personalized service through 100 offices throughout
rural Canada. The Corporation offers customized loan products at competitive
rates. Through strategic alliances, FCC offers a wide range of services
to agri-business to help promote the growth of value-added products and
services in the agricultural sector.
HRDC acts as a broker to assist Canadian companies in generating more
business in international markets. It provides knowledge and expertise
to Canadian firms which need consulting services on projects that are
unique to government and that are exportable to global markets. The International
Business Development Division of HRDC's International Affairs Branch was
created to help Canada respond to international demands for technical
assistance.
Created in 1972, NFPC is a federal body which oversees national supply
management agencies in agriculture. Four such agencies presently control
the supply of chicken, turkey, eggs, and broiler hatching eggs in Canada,
and promote their marketing. One of NFPC's major goals is to work with
stakeholders in the poultry and egg industries to improve competitiveness,
enhance profitability and expand export markets.
As Canada's foremost R&D organization, NRC works in partnership with
industry, universities and other government departments to play a leading
national role in the promotion of technological and industrial innovation,
competitiveness and economic growth. NRC has a variety of programs to
help companies prepare for exporting and compete successfully in international
markets.
NRCan's mission is to provide knowledge and expertise for the sustainable
development of Canada's natural resources, and to improve the global competitiveness
of the resources sector (and related sectors) for the well-being of Canadians.
It offers programs and services in the following areas:
Market Access
NRCan works to maintain and expand access to international markets for
Canadian resource commodities and resource-based products, knowledge,
technologies and services.
International Market Development
NRCan provides international support to resource-related companies in
areas such as market intelligence, export marketing assistance, trade
promotion, government-to-government dialogue and brokering of contracts.
PWGSC, the Canadian government's largest purchasing agent, provides a
wide range of services to support the daily operations of government and
to meet the needs of Canadians. It is at the forefront of innovative service
delivery for government, finding new, more cost-efficient and more responsive
ways of doing business.
Statistics Canada is the country's national statistical agency, with
programs organized into three broad subject matter areas: demographic
and social, socio-economic and economic. It provides statistics on all
aspects of Canada's international trade and investment activities.
TC contributes to sustaining Canada's trade and tourism competitiveness
by:
- establishing transportation policies that provide the legal foundation
for access to international transportation markets, such as "Open
Skies" and trucking deregulation;
- developing, with DFAIT, mandates to negotiate bilateral air agreements
to provide access to international air freight and passenger markets;
- assisting Canadian firms to access opportunities with international
financial institutions (IFIs) and international organizations, and promoting
Canadian expertise to these institutions.
WD is responsible for promoting the development and diversification of
the western Canadian economy. Its programs and services include:
- assisting SMEs prepare for exporting. WD helps export-unaware firms
to become export-interested businesses, and export-interested companies
to become export-ready companies;
- providing a range of export skills development services (including
counselling services, training seminars and workshops), and helping
clients to assess their export-readiness, consider export options and
prepare export plans;
- providing trade financing and general export information through its
International Trade Personnel Program and the Loan Investment Funds
with bank partners.
General export information services are available through the CBSCs,
a single-window access connecting you to a full range of government export
services and expertise. Call 1-888-811-1119 toll-free (Monday to Friday,
9 am to 5 pm, in every time zone in Canada) and a trained information
officer will discuss your export needs and provide you with the appropriate
export information, sources or contacts.
Located across Canada, ITCs help Canadian companies prepare for exporting,
assist with research in various countries and recommend appropriate government
export programs and services.
|