Tuesday 6 October 2026 · 16:15–17:15 · Toronto
By invitation only (photo credit - a previous Chamber roundtable)
The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business hosts a closed Ministerial Roundtable with Cheryl Urban, Assistant Deputy Minister for Africa and Pan-Geographic Affairs at Global Affairs Canada, bringing together a small group of 20 senior representatives from Government, and Chamber Sponsors and Members.
The session takes place at Goodmans LLP, Bay Adelaide Centre, 333 Bay Street, Suite 3400, Toronto, in Boardroom W4 and runs directly into the Africa Accelerating 2026 VIP Reception, which opens at 17:15 in the adjoining reception and conference venue.
Run of show
| 16:00 |
Arrival and seating Guests arrive and take their seats. Refreshments on arrival. |
| 16:15 |
Chamber Welcome Remarks Paula Caldwell St-Onge, Chair of the Board, and Garreth Bloor, President |
| 16:20 |
Introductions |
| 16:30 |
Introduction of the Assistant Deputy Minister, Cheryl Urban Paula Caldwell St-Onge |
| 16:32 |
Remarks by the Assistant Deputy Minister Cheryl Urban, Global Affairs Canada — Canada's Africa strategy in practice, departmental priorities, and the role of the private sector |
| 16:47 |
Interactive discussion Open exchange, moderated by Garreth Bloor |
| 17:12 |
Closing and thanks Paula Caldwell St-Onge |
| 17:15 |
Close Guests move through to the VIP Reception |
Discussion themes
- Advancing Canada-Africa commercial cooperation — where the relationship stands and what would move it materially over the next three years.
- Supporting Canada's objectives through the private sector — how Canadian companies in African markets deliver market-solutions to major ambitions
- The role of the Chamber — convening, market intelligence, delegations and on-the-ground presence.
- Overcoming practical obstacles — such financing and risk cover, mobility, regulatory familiarity, cost of market entry.
- AfCFTA and market access — what continental integration means for Canadian exporters and investors.
- What next — concrete follow-up before the Q1 2027 programme in Namibia