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Dear Members & Friends of the Chamber
We hope you had a very Happy New Year and got to spend time with your loved ones over the Winter Break.
In this edition we focus on 2026 Outlooks for Canada from some of our Charter member banks, including articles and interviews from: BMO, CIBC, National Bank, RBC, Scotiabank and TD Bank.
As 2026 gets under way, macroeconomic uncertainty remains high, and trade negotiations between Canada and the US are still pending. As our Canadian bank members mention, interpreting the economic impact in this context has recently become more difficult, and the situation is particularly pronounced in the labour market. Uncertainty surrounding trade with the US, especially with regard to the renewal of USMCA, continues to be highly challenging for some. Nevertheless, the Canadian economy is performing better than some expected and our members are in general anticipating a gradual improvement during the year, with GDP growth around 1.6%. Read more below.
Many of our member companies in the UK are facing tax increases, and strains on their financial resources affecting planned investment and growth. Business confidence has continued to weaken according to the British Chambers of Commerce most recent Quarterly Economic Survey for Q4 2025, with taxation remaining the biggest concern. More UK business 'now expect to have to raise prices in 2026'.
In such challenging times, we believe businesses are stronger together, and can achieve more through collaboration, and shared commercial and professional experiences. The bilateral relationship between Canada and the UK remains as strong as ever. We have just completed the 3rd edition of our Success Stories series, a showcase of 15 pioneering companies whose achievements reflect the extraordinary depth and diversity of commerce between our two nations and globally. From the engineering brilliance of Arup to the aviation expertise of Bombardier; from Canaccord Genuity's global investment reach to Canada Goose's craftmanship and design; from the digital intelligence of Global Relay and OpenText to the entrepreneurial energy of Shopify and Cultivator - each story represents a distinct facet of shared enterprise. Together, these organisations illustrate both the longevity and vitality of our membership - where experience and fresh ambition continuously reinforce one another. Our publication invites you to explore their journeys - to learn how Canadian, British, Scottish, Welsh, and N.Irish ingenuity and capability combine to advance technology, sustainability, and prosperity across borders. Read more here.
So do please talk to us today about how we can help you and help make introductions that will open up a network of like-minded professional, helping you gain visibility in our bilateral community, and helping you stay informed about important issues affecting your business. We will be putting together our latest Membership Directory in the coming months to be circulated to our corporate members including the contact details of 300+ members, many of whom are also benefitting from the online Membership Directory and its search facility and community messaging feature as part of their current membership.
Our 2026 networking event programme is evolving as we work with our members and forums planning another year of 50+ online and in-person events. We hope you will be able to join us at our first Networking Event of the year on Thurs 29 Jan at Tower Suites by Blue Orchid Hotel in London. Sign up here if you can attend: https://www.canada-uk.org/events/evt-000153
For more information on the benefits of joining, or to maximse your existing membership in 2026, contact us at: info@canada-uk.org
Our Secretariat full-time team includes Nigel as CEO, Izzy as our Events & Programmes Manager, Malika as our Communications & Events Executive, and Charlie as our Business Development, Finance and Member Engagement Lead.
If you wish to be considered as a part-time assistant in the Secretariat, drop us a line including your CV at info@canada-uk.org
Wishing you all happy networking this year, and contact us with any event ideas you have.
Izzy, Malika, Charlie & Nigel
Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce
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