International Trade Committee on May 5th, 2026

[The Chair (Hon. Judy A. Sgro (Humber River—Black Creek, Lib.)), Liberal, Judy Sgro]

I call the meeting to order. Welcome, everyone.

This is meeting number 36 of the Standing Committee on International Trade. Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on Thursday, February 12, 2026, the committee is resuming its study of Canada's trade with north and west Africa.

We have with us today, as an individual by video conference, Hamid Fadili, international trade adviser, Europe and Africa markets. We also have Souad Elmallem, president and chief executive officer, by video conference. From Réseau des Femmes d'affaires du Québec, we have Ruth Vachon, president.

Welcome. We're glad to have you in person.

We will start with Mr. Fadili for an opening statement of up to five minutes, please.

[Hamid Fadili, International Trade advisor, Europe and Africa markets, As an Individual]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Good morning, honourable members.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Hamid Fadili. I am an international trade adviser for a provincial economic development agency. I am here today as an individual to provide evidence on a very important topic, and a major economic issue for Canada. The issue is our strategic positioning in the markets of North Africa and West Africa.

As you know, honourable members, the world is changing rapidly. Supply chains are become redefined, competition for access to resources is forever intensifying, and new growth centres are emerging. In that context, a key question must be asked: Is Canada sufficiently well positioned in the markets that will make up tomorrow's global economy? This includes the African market and, specifically, the markets of North Africa and West Africa.

Those two emerging markets are changing rapidly; they are major consumers. We are talking about 600 million people, with a combined GDP of more than $1,600 billion in Canadian currency and a growth rate between 3% and 6%. West Africa alone is a market of more than 400 million people with some of the fastest economic growth rates in the world, between 5% and 6%. Its infrastructure needs are estimated at about $135 billion in Canadian currency. By 2030, one consumer in every five around the world will be from Africa, making the region particularly promising for the coming years.

Despite this considerable potential, Canada is somewhat behind. Less than 1% of our foreign trade goes to Africa. Just imagine, Canada exports about $6 billion to $8 billion in Canadian dollars to the continent annually. At the same time, China exports more than $330 billion to Africa. For the European Union, the figure is more than $400 billion and for Turkey, it's $40 billion. These are economic opportunities that Canada is losing.

We often think that Africa is a long way away. In reality, it is closer than one might imagine, especially using the Atlantic corridor. Here's an example. Between the Port of Montreal or the Port of Halifax and the strategic hubs of Tangiers or Casablanca in Morocco, the distance by sea is about 6,000 or 7,000 kilometres, depending on the starting point. By comparison, shipping cargo to the port of Houston or to other ports in the southern United States involves much the same distances, sometimes even greater. But less than 10% of Canada's trade crosses the Atlantic.

The most promising economic sectors where Canadian companies could be involved would include infrastructure, technology, energy, financial services, agri-food, aerospace, health and transportation.

The two regions of Africa, North Africa and West Africa, are complementary regions. North Africa is close to Europe and the Middle East and has a production base with developed infrastructure and competitive costs. We are talking about major industrial and logistical hubs. West Africa is an engine of growth, as I said before. It has 400 million consumers, rapid urbanization, and huge and pressing infrastructure needs. The market there is expanding in a major way.

In conclusion, the facts are clear. These regions represent a major strategic market for Canada. But we are under-represented there. Other powers are already well established. But opportunities still exist, especially in an evolving geopolitical context, where political levers are in motion and where new economic corridors are opening up.

As for recommendations—

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Mr. Fadili, I'm sorry. That's your five minutes.

If you could, please make your quick closing remarks as your five minutes are almost completely up.

[Hamid Fadili]

That's fine. My recommendations will not take long.

Speaking personally as a Canadian citizen who comes from the region and knows those markets well, I would recommend that Canada reposition itself in those markets and develop a clear and coordinated strategy for Africa. For example, some of Canada's recent decisions on international positioning provide concrete economic levers. I also recommend establishing a transatlantic economic corridor, speeding up economic agreements among those countries, actively supporting Canadian companies that want to export to and invest in those regions, focusing on major projects and adopting a considered, regional approach.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Thank you very much, Mr. Fadili. You can cover the rest of your presentation in response to questions, possibly.

We'll go to Ms. Elmallem, please, for five minutes.

[Souad Elmallem, President and Chief Executive Officer, 6temik]

Ladies and gentlemen, honourable members, it's a great pleasure for me to be with you today.

In a rapidly changing world, the successful countries, organizations and companies are those who know how to build bridges, to forge alliances and to think outside of their borders. That is exactly the meaning of the speech that Prime Minister Carney gave in Davos. He saw a clear break and validated it. From now on, the priority is to diversify our economic partnerships, to reduce our vulnerabilities and, in part, to redirect our north-south focus to east and west. Asia and Europe are at the heart of that ambition. But a major region in Canada's immediate vicinity remains underestimated and undervalued. This is the South Atlantic, which includes the countries with Atlantic shores in both South America and North and West Africa.

Morocco is an excellent example of the dynamics at play because of its geographic location, its quality infrastructure and its strategic vision. It has made itself into the very gateway to Africa. To give you some figures from the many I could provide, Morocco has among Africa's best-developed networks, with about 50,000 kilometres of paved roads, 2,000 kilometres of freeways, which will extend to 3,000 kilometres by 2030, high-speed rail lines that will very soon extend to 630 kilometres, and functioning 5G.

Today, Africa is the world's demographic engine. My colleague, Mr. Fadili has already quoted a lot of figures to illustrate that. So I will skip that section.

With the progressive implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, the market will soon have the second-biggest potential market of the 21st century, after India and China. What makes this a particularly strategic area for our Canadian partners is that it is already connected. Where China invested several billion dollars to build its silk road to Africa, Canada has an already existing network in operation. The Tanger Med Port Centre is the fourth-busiest port in the world today. The future Port Dakhla Atlantic, scheduled to open in 2028, will become a major hub towards West Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and the Americas. We should also not forget the future port of Nador, in the northwest of Morocco.

There are also deep-water ports in Dakar, Abidjan and Tema. From Saint John, New Brunswick, it takes between 10 and 15 days to reach one of those destinations, scarcely more than it takes to get to the great ports of Europe, and three or four times less than for the major markets in Asia.

As a result, very specific doors open. Canada and Morocco share a number of common interests: stability, innovation, training, economic openness and the wish to develop lasting relationships. Morocco has free trade agreements with the European Union, with the 18 countries of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area, and with the major economies in Africa. Morocco therefore offers access to a market of 450 million people and a combined GDP of more than $4,200 billion. Its Atlantic initiative for the countries of the Sahel provides ocean access to landlocked countries through Port Dakhla Atlantic. A number of Canadian mining companies are already conducting activities there.

Together, we have the opportunity to build much more than a simple trade partnership. We can build a strategic relationship that will be used by companies, by investors and by the younger generations in both countries. In a world marked by uncertainty, it is becoming essential to diversify our markets, to strengthen our supply chains, and to develop wise partnerships. That is exactly what the Canada-Africa relationship makes possible, not to mention the relationship between the two south Atlantic coasts. It can develop in a number of areas: agri-food, technology, renewable energy, strategic mines and minerals, infrastructure, the digital future, education and health.

However, to succeed, a clear vision is needed. We must believe in what each can provide to the other. Canada has expertise, innovation, structure and access to international networks. Morocco has a regional anchor, connections with Africa and a business-friendly environment. As a strong member of the francophonie, Canada has no colonial past, a major African diaspora and, as a result, an enviable reputation. Together, that creates something of remarkable value.

I firmly believe that the most lasting relationships are not built on economic exchanges alone. They are built on trust, on mutual understanding and on the common will to move forward together. The South Atlantic is the one missing piece in the full Canadian picture. It is precisely what can make our Atlantic neighbourhood and a partnership between Canada and Morocco into a key element of a successful future model.

Thank you for your attention.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Thank you very much.

Please go ahead, Ms. Vachon, for up to five minutes.

[Ruth Vachon, President, Réseau des Femmes d'affaires du Québec]

Good morning, everyone.

Thank you for this opportunity to make a presentation to the committee.

I have been the president of the Réseau des femmes d'affaires du Québec for 16 years. But for 15 years, the Réseau has focused solely on market access for female entrepreneurs.

Our focus is on programs that diversify suppliers, mainly in the United States. But when those programs were abolished in 2025, it was vital for us to find specific pathways through which to strengthen trading relationships and maintain the international focus of Canadian companies. For us, that work is with women.

In recent years, the Réseau has been mostly focused on female entrepreneurs doing business with each other. West Africa and North Africa are markets that would be very beneficial to develop, not only because the government is also interested, but also because business can be done with other member countries of the franophonie.

Since we are in Quebec, I would say that 75% of our women greatly prefer to conduct business in French. Of course, there is Europe, but Africa is a market that interests them greatly.

I had the opportunity to represent Canada at the World Association of Women Entrepreneurs. This network links almost 1 million women entrepreneurs around the world and is active in 120 countries. I have just come back from a congress in Egypt at which 40 countries were represented. Many company presidents from Africa attended, including from Mali. They have companies too, but they cannot all afford to pay for travel like that. They also want business opportunities.

We have believed in peer growth for years. You should know that 98% of the companies in Canada are small businesses. It means therefore that our women entrepreneurs also have small businesses. If they had the opportunity to develop projects in networks of women, it could be really productive.

In Côte d'Ivoire, for example, a community of women is manufacturing products that we could buy there and process at home. In so doing, we would be growing the companies both in Africa and in Canada.

We often aim at major contracts, but deliverables are very important. We put our money on our ability to deliver. If 98% of companies are small ones, we must be able to give them contracts that they can handle. That allows us to build a sustainable economy.

You should also know that 80% of women are in the service sector. It is much easier to expand businesses internationally with women in the service sector. However, since many women entrepreneurs are in that sector, many are not eligible for the various programs that the government currently has in place.

But, no matter the size of the business, our current situation makes it essential to diversify markets outside the United States. In that situation, Africa is an excellent alternative, where we would provide companies owned by women with opportunities for which they have the capacity.

In the last three years, we have had federal support that has allowed us to create the Maïa platform, connecting women-owned businesses only. The goal is to display business opportunities that are available to each other. The platform was developed to facilitate commerce among companies in Canada, but it could easily be expanded internationally for all the markets we have just talked about.

For us, providing women entrepreneurs in Canada with appropriate opportunities and contracts is our real priority. This works well for small and medium businesses; it also works well for small businesses that are often ineligible for various programs.

To ensure that we are giving women a good base, we have created tools like the export index. Using artificial intelligence, the tools provide women with maturity assessments so that they can see when they are ready, which markets they could explore and where it would be best to go. So we suggest that they use the government-funded platform in order to develop markets on other continents and to maximize the investments that the government has already made.

In addition, given that we are in a situation where we have to diversify our markets outside the United States, regions like North Africa and West Africa offer strategic opportunities that are both available in French and aligned with our strengths. To derive the full benefits, the mechanisms available need to be tailored to small businesses if we want them to grow, if we want contracts they can handle, and if we want tools designed to support them.

To conclude, we would like to invite all parties to speak with one voice so that more women-owned companies are included in various government initiatives. Ultimately, this must become an economic decision, not a social program. Tomorrow's economy cannot be built without women.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Thank you very much.

We go now to the members.

Mr. Chambers, please go ahead for six minutes.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Welcome to our witnesses.

This has been a fantastic study, and I know we only have a few meetings left. I wanted to mention, given it was in the news, that the Chinese ambassador made some comments about recommendations for where members should travel. I think we have a study on Taiwan. I would be very eager to have a meeting before we left, and maybe even consider inviting the envoy here to clarify comments.

I would like to get back to our study. Thank you very much. One of the key things the committee will be able to do is make recommendations to the government on policy actions that you would like to see.

One of the common questions I've been asking witnesses is, what is your biggest risk you think the government needs to keep in mind as it is expanding or seeking to expand its trade relationship with Africa, recognizing that Africa is a collection of a number of countries? If you want to narrow that down to a particular region, that's totally fine. I would appreciate feedback on that from each of you, because we may include this in the report.

Mr. Fadili, we can go in the order of your presentations.

[Hamid Fadili]

I can tell you that Africa is a market with its own characteristics and issues, just like any other. In some sectors, it is true that it's a little complex. I might mention defence and security, among others. That's where Canada could well tread carefully.

But other sectors, particularly in health, have a humanitarian mission, I would say. International co-operation works side by side with trade and investment.

It varies from one country to another. Some countries have a higher level of political and economic maturity than others. But it's up to Canada to set its own priorities. That is actually one of my recommendations: prioritize the countries in those regions into first, second or third levels according to their issues and consider how to deal with them differently.

I hope that answers your question.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Fadili.

Ms. Elmallem, would you like to add anything?

[Souad Elmallem]

Yes.

I more or less concur with Mr. Fadili.

The continent of Africa contains 54 countries, not all of which are at the same level. They do not all have the same challenges and they are not all as advanced. However, it is interesting to see—and this explains my earlier comment—that some countries are more advanced than others in business. They have the infrastructure, the will and the strategies needed for it. I feel that, in terms of risk management, the vision Canada must opt for is to establish solid relationships with the countries that are already prepared for them.

Geographically, it is clear to me that Morocco is in that position. Not only Morocco, but some countries in West Africa. When I refer to countries that have deep-water access to that corridor, meaning the West African countries with deep-water ports, the idea really is to create solid relationships, comprehensive partnerships between governments. Clearly, the priority must be with countries that are best prepared in terms of infrastructure and business capacity.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Thank you very much.

Just to confirm, I hear a distinct suggestion that Morocco represents, in your view, the largest or easiest potential opportunity we should be expanding in the short term. Is that correct?

[Souad Elmallem]

Absolutely, because it is geographically close. In my view also, it has the infrastructure, the business acumen and the national will to take that position. The relationship between Morocco and Africa already exists in all aspects: the road network, the business sector and the presence of Moroccan companies all over the continent. I see Morocco as an obvious focal point.

As an entrepreneur who has set up a number of companies, I speak from experience. I have helped several companies to set up in Morocco, such as Bombardier Aéronautique, which has now been there for 15 years. We are able to build high-tech projects, which, from a distance, may seem beyond what we can imagine today. But we have the needed conditions.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Thank you very much.

Madame Vachon, with 30 seconds left, if you would like, you can include what you think is the biggest risk. I note that you said there used to be a government program. Would you like to make a recommendation on something you would like us to include in the report?

[Ruth Vachon]

To maximize our chances of success, it is really important to go to countries where our governments, whether provincial or federal, and our major partners like Desjardins, are already heavily invested. We just have to understand that we are mostly dealing with networks. Developing and keeping relationships is the main key to success, in our view.

[Adam Chambers, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Judy Sgro]

Thank you very much.

We'll go to Madame Lapointe.

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

My thanks to the witnesses for joining us.

I really appreciated your evidence.

Ms. Vachon, I know that you have been to Africa several times with trade missions. You have also told me that, to have business relationships, once cannot be enough.

You mentioned support before, and Desjardins and all that. But are our trade commissioners doing the right work? Does it take better discussions? Must there be more of them?

I would like to hear your comments on that.

[Ruth Vachon]

I feel that each embassy is different. That's natural. Some perform better, some a little less so. But in general, the service is really good.

Given that most of our clients are in the service sector, it is often more difficult for us to focus on contracts. Our approach is multisectoral, which means that, when we arrive, our challenge is a little more complex. This does not mean that there are fewer opportunities, but it does mean that the challenge is different and we need quite intense, targeted focus from the trade commissioners.

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

You mentioned the service sector. In that area, are there regions that you find encouraging and where we could have better trade relationships? I know that you have been to Morocco, but you have also been to Egypt.

[Ruth Vachon]

We went to Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria. We visited a number of countries. The great thing about Egypt is that many African countries are centred there and most of them want very strong networks, where communities come together and make products. We want to maintain that link, to extend it to our country, so that products made there can be processed and sold here, thereby growing both communities at the same time.

[Linda Lapointe, Liberal, Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC]

Thank you very much, Ms. Vachon.

I have a question for you, Ms. Elmallem.

You are very knowledgeable. My constituency of Rivière‑des‑Milles‑Îles is in the Lower Laurentians. You are well aware of the aerospace sector there.

A little earlier, I was talking to Ms. Vachon about trade commissioners.

Do you believe that improvements can be made to strengthen our trade ties in the sector? Could it be in a hub in the north, in Morocco, or in Côte d'Ivoire?

I would like to hear how you see that.

[Souad Elmallem]

Thank you, Ms. Lapointe. Your question is very appropriate.

I would just say, as Ms. Vachon did, that it depends on the projects, on the sectors and on the complexity. In general, there is a service, sure. Can it be improved? Of course, and I feel that it's a matter of working on details rather than staying with the generic. Relationships are one thing. People can be put together. However, I have been working on projects for almost 20 years now in the Africa-Canada corridor and I feel that a mutual relationship exists. That's what I wanted to emphasize. I have worked on a number of projects in aviation, but I have planted the seeds of other projects too, especially in Morocco. On the Canadian side, we have to recognize the opportunities.

Here's a tiny example. If I had not been with Bombardier in 2005 and had I not started to preach to my boss that an opportunity existed, no one would have known. The information was not getting through. Information has to get through so that people feel confident. We talk about risk all the time but we do not talk about opportunities, and I feel that it is important that we do. Risk is everywhere, but if we focus on the risk and we do not focus on the opportunity, we miss the boat.

For example, in 2008, no one would have known that Morocco had 96 aviation companies. I had to do the job myself, to convince my boss to come with me to see for himself. Seeing is believing; when we see, our perspective changes. The quality of the development in some countries of Africa and in their industry is not well known in Canada. It's only when people go there themselves that they see the opportunities, which is why we miss…. In my opinion, there is work to be done if the opportunities are to become clear.