Building Bridges: Watson Goepel Joins Business Leaders for International Connections: Europe & Canada
This week, Watson Goepel was proud to take part in International Connections: Europe & Canada, the second installment in a series dedicated to strengthening the commercial ties between Canada and European markets. Hosted in RBC’s Executive Dining Space in the heart of downtown Vancouver, the event brought together business leaders, trade professionals, and government representatives for an evening of substantive conversation and genuine connection.
The discussion featured Celso Boscariol,KC, President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Canada West, Gerry Kelly, Consul General of Ireland to Vancouver, and Ran Carter of Export Development Canada. This trio combined expertise in EU-Canada trade, market access, and cross-border investment. It offered BC business owners a clear-eyed look at what it takes to expand successfully into European markets.
Much of tonight’s conversation returned to a familiar and increasingly relevant framework: the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Since coming into provisional application in 2017, CETA has eliminated duties on most goods traded between Canada and the EU and opened new avenues for Canadian businesses expanding into Europe, from public procurement access to service-sector opportunities. For BC companies looking to diversify beyond traditional markets, CETA trade benefits remain one of the most powerful, yet underused tools available today.
For Watson Goepel LLP, evenings like this reflect exactly why we do what we do. British Columbia’s business community continues to punch above its weight on the global stage, and conversations like this are what keep that momentum alive, connecting ambitious local companies with the insight, relationships, and EU market access opportunities they need to grow beyond our borders.
We’re grateful to RBC for their generous hosting, to BBOT( Burnaby board of trade) for convening this series, and to the speakers for sharing their expertise so candidly. As BC companies continue to look outward toward Europe for diversification, investment, and innovation under frameworks like CETA, Watson Goepel remains committed to standing alongside them — helping navigate the legal complexities of cross-border trade and investment every step of the way.
Click here to see a recap of the event.
