Ireland Canada Business
CONNECT
NETWORKING & PROFILING
Connecting our members with companies and people doing business between Ireland and Canada.
COMMUNICATE
INFORMING OUR MEMBERS
We keep our members informed on key developments and seek opportunities to increase trade between Ireland and Canada.
INFLUENCE
BUILDING & FACILITATING TRADE
We champion trade growth between Ireland and Canada, engaging policy-makers and influencers in the support of such trade.
BREAKING NEWS
Tánaiste to seek Cabinet approval for EU-Canada trade deal legislation
Tánaiste Simon Harris will seek Cabinet approval tomorrow for the drafting of legislation which will allow for the ratification of the controversial EU-Canada trade deal.
The Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement is a deal reached between the EU and Canada which requires the backing of parliaments across all the EU member states to be fully operational.
The provisional application of CETA has already led to an increase in bilateral trade in goods and services with Canada, which went from €3.2 billion in 2016 to more than €10bn in 2023.
The Tánaiste will argue that CETA is an important part of Ireland’s economic diversification strategy, which has been brought into sharp focus by US President Donald Trump’s threat to introduce 50% tariffs on EU goods.
He believes that Canada shares similar concerns to Ireland and is a reliable and valued trading partner for us.
ICBA Trade Mission, Toronto 2025
From May 5–8, the Ireland Canada Business Association (ICBA), in partnership with Ireland Gateway to Europe, led a high-impact trade mission to Toronto. Across four packed days, our delegation engaged with senior political leaders, key institutional partners, and Canadian-based investors to deepen the dynamic and growing relationship between Ireland and Canada.
The mission began with a warm welcome in Toronto and an informal gathering at the Queen and Beaver Bar, setting the tone for the camaraderie and collaboration that would define the days ahead.
Former P.E.I. premier Dennis King ‘humbled’ to be named Canada’s Ambassador to Ireland
CBC News, 3 March 2025
Former P.E.I. premier Dennis King has been appointed as Canada’s new ambassador to Ireland, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a news release Monday.
“With his years of experience in public service, including as the premier of Prince Edward Island, I am confident that he will serve Canada well and make the strong partnership between our two countries even stronger,” Trudeau said in the release.
King will succeed Nancy Smyth, a career foreign affairs professional who had held the position since 2021. Her LinkedIn profile shows her time in the job ended in August 2024.
ICBA urges Party Leaders to prioritise the ratification of CETA
The ICBA has written to all the Political Party leaders to ask them to prioritise the ratification of CETA.
The ratification of CETA has become more important with the imminent US trade protectionist policy. Once ratified the open and stable economic relationship that Ireland has with Canada will flourish.
The ratification of CETA is vital to give the Ireland Canada relationship the bedrock it deserves.
Ireland Canada Report 2024
The Ireland Canada relationship is thriving politically, economically, and culturally. Ireland remains a stable economy and continues to attract Canadian companies who are looking for a likeminded open business environment with a global outlook. In turn Canada has become an important export market for Irish SME’s who wish to access the North American marketplace. The economic value
of trade between both countries is a focus point for policy makers and business leaders while the societal value of the relationship is one that is much valued. This is evident in the recent naming of March as Irish heritage month across Canada in an acknowledgement of the contribution that Irish Canadians have made.
This report was commissioned by the Ireland Canada Business Association. It documents the growth in trade, the opportunities and challenges that exist in the Ireland Canada trading relationship. The author of this report, Economist Jim Power gives an economic analysis and an insightful commentary on the strength of the Ireland Canada relationship and how it can continue to flourish.
Written by Economist, Jim Power and commissioned by the Ireland Canada Business Association
ICBA Business Summit 2024
The ICBA Business Summit took place in Dublin on 18th April 2024.
This biennial conference brought together the entire Ireland Canada business network. The conference was a platform to learn about and to engage with some of the important issues facing Irish and Canadian businesses today. It comprised of a series of keynote speeches, panel discussions and conversations with top business leaders and policy makers. The ideas and action items that emanated from the conference will influence the infrastructure and scope of further trade and investment.
Keynote Speakers included:
Ambassador Ailish Campbell, Canadian Ambassador to the EU
Ambassador Nancy Smyth, Canadian Ambassador to Ireland
Deputy David Stanton TD, Chair of Ireland Canada Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group
Terry Fox Run Dublin
14th September 2024
The Ireland Canada Economic Opportunity
A report written by Jim Power, Economist and commissioned by the Ireland Canada Business Association
The Ireland Canada relationship is thriving politically, economically, and culturally. Ireland remains a stable economy and continues to attract Canadian companies who are looking for a likeminded open business environment with a global outlook. In turn Canada has become an important export market for Irish SME’s who wish to access the North American marketplace. The economic value of trade between both countries is a focus point for policy makers and business leaders while the societal value of the relationship is one that is much valued. This is evident in the recent naming of March as Irish heritage month across Canada in an acknowledgement of the contribution that Irish Canadians have made.
Dr Deirdre Giblin appointed Chair of the ICBA – June 30, 2023
Latest News/Media
Podcasts
ICBA Maple Leaf Dinner 2022
Dr Deirdre Giblin, Co-Vice Chair of the Ireland Canada Business Association, speaks about some of the key findings of the 2022 ICBA Member Sentiment Survey.
ICBA Chair, Chris Collenette in conversation with Tanaiste Leo Varadkar
The Ireland Canada Business Association
The Ireland Canada Business Association is the leading business association that has the mandate of promoting and developing trade and industrial links between Ireland and Canada. When the ICBA was first established in 1978, the Canadian Ambassador served as its Patron. Our membership now includes a select group of international businesses ranging from small to large, start-ups to established institutions, as well as Canadian and Irish government departments and agencies responsible for export promotion and business supports.
When we meet with our member companies, we ask them what matters most to their businesses. In this way, they lead how the association is run ensuring we are a network run by our members and for our members. We convene networking events to allow our members connect and deliver business communications and advocacy. Through our events we help members grow and sustain their relationships, influence and businesses. We celebrate our members successes together at high calibre events. We champion our members’ ideas, and interests and are proud to be the representative voice of Canadian businesses in Ireland.
INTERESTED? More about membership…
ICBA Business Summit 2021
At the conference we learned about and engaged with some of the important issues facing Irish and Canadian businesses today.
To listen into keynote speeches from Minister Mary Ng and Minister Simon Coveney and hear conversations with Ambassador McKee and top business leaders please go to ICBA 2021 Business Summit Archive.
Members of the ICBA Advisory Council
Latest Tweets
Congratulations @DeirdreGiblin1 on 20 years of dedication, commitment. In addition to this achievement, Deirdre’s contribution to strengthening economic ties between Ireland and Canada in her role as Chair of the @IreCanBiz is commendable and the future looks good !
Delighted to receive my @ncirl 20 years service silver pin today from National College of Ireland President @ginaquin today as one of 16 colleagues with 20 years service! So lucky to love my job as we work together to continue to change lives through education 😊