TORONTO. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held high-level engagements in Toronto to advance economic ties. The strategic meetings aimed at strengthening investment links while advancing the proposed India-Canada bilateral trade framework under CEPA. During the sessions, Goyal highlighted India’s continued efforts to improve the ease of doing business. He invited Canadian businesses and industry leaders to actively participate in India’s growth journey. The Union Minister said the proposed CEPA would serve as a major catalyst for expanding bilateral trade. He expressed confidence that the next phase of economic relations would be driven by trust. This comprehensive engagement marks a major push for long-term bilateral investment.
Canada-India Investment Roundtable and Financial Pacts
Goyal co-chaired the “Canada-India Investment Roundtable” alongside Canadian International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu. Discussions involved leading Canadian pension funds, sovereign and institutional investors, and members of the Canada-India Business Council. Goyal invited investors to explore opportunities in clean energy, technology, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence. He also underlined the importance of stronger collaboration in financial markets to expand India-Canada bilateral trade. In another meeting, he interacted with Kevin Strain, President & CEO of Sun Life Canada, regarding insurance and healthcare financing. Goyal also held talks with Raymond Chun, President & CEO of Toronto Dominion Bank Group (TD Canada), on fintech and digital payments.
Strategic Minerals and Sustainable Food Processing
In the strategic minerals sector, Goyal met Rahim Suleman, President & CEO of Neo Performance Materials. Their discussion focused on strengthening cooperation in critical minerals, rare earth processing, and advanced materials for clean technologies. The leaders also focused on building resilient supply chains to enhance future India-Canada bilateral trade. Goyal further met Max Koeune, President & CEO of McCain Foods, to discuss food processing and sustainable agriculture. He acknowledged McCain Foods’ longstanding presence in India and its potato sourcing initiatives that support local farmers. These individual corporate dialogues aim to translate high-level trade policies into functional commercial value chains between the two nations.
Community Engagements and Diaspora Intersections
During his visit, Goyal paid tribute at the Air India Flight 182 Memorial at Humber Bay Park. He remembered the victims of the tragic 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing. Addressing the Indian diaspora at a community reception, Goyal highlighted India’s economic transformation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasised that the emerging CEPA would unlock massive new opportunities in trade, investment, and innovation. The minister noted that the diaspora acts as a strong bridge to support India-Canada bilateral trade. Goyal also visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, where he offered prayers for peace and well-being. He described the temple as a symbol of spirituality and deep cultural ties.
Piyush Goyal’s High-Level Engagements in Toronto
| Sector / Corporate Entity | Key Representative / Leader | Operational Focus |
| Bilateral Dialogue | Minister Maninder Sidhu | Co-chairing Canada-India Investment Roundtable. |
| Primary Metric | India-Canada bilateral trade | Reaffirming the $50 Billion Target via CEPA. |
| Sun Life Canada | Kevin Strain (President & CEO) | Insurance, Retirement Solutions, & Healthcare Financing. |
| TD Canada Bank Group | Raymond Chun (President & CEO) | Banking, Fintech, & Digital Payments Collaboration. |
| Neo Performance Materials | Rahim Suleman (President & CEO) | Critical Minerals & Rare Earth Processing. |
| McCain Foods | Max Koeune (President & CEO) | Food Processing & Sustainable Potato Sourcing. |
| Memorial & Cultural Sites | Humber Bay Park & BAPS Mandir | Air India Flight 182 Tribute & Cultural Diplomacy. |
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