2026 Spring Member Forum
Members Only
Trade Diversification as a Competitiveness Test
Apr 16, 2026 – Apr 17, 2026
Hotel Saskatchewan, Regina
Canada talks about trade diversification. Delivering it is another matter.
We are already a global exporting success story, with deep trade ties and firms that compete effectively in international markets. Our economic strength will continue to be anchored in the United States, which will remain Canada’s primary trading partner. In that context, this year’s CUSMA review is critical—not only to safeguard market access, but to provide the certainty Canadian exporters need to invest, scale, and compete. At the same time, maintaining the status quo will not deliver the next phase of export growth.
If Canada is serious about doubling non-U.S. exports, trade diversification must be treated as a core competitiveness agenda, not a secondary geopolitical objective. That requires sharper execution and harder choices: focusing on markets where Canadian firms can genuinely win, aligning infrastructure and programs with commercial realities, and ensuring our trade and innovation systems are built to support scale. Global demand exists; the challenge is whether Canada is prepared to compete for it with discipline and intent.
The WESTAC Spring Member Forum is designed to be a grounded, forward-looking conversation that connects global strategy to on-the-ground realities for exporters. The Forum will challenge participants to think differently about trade diversification: not as a hedge against the U.S. market, but as a deliberate, long-term competitiveness agenda that enables Canadian businesses to win globally.
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The Hotel Saskatchewan is pleased to offer a discounted rate of $216/night if booked by March 16, 2026.