Dear readers of the newsletter of the German Consulate General in Vancouver,

The shortest month of the year began with the annual New Year’s Reception, co-hosted by the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, based in Toronto, and the German Consulate General, at the Seaforth Armoury in Vancouver. Guests from business and government enjoyed an evening of lively exchange and stimulating discussions on ways to strengthen Canadian-German economic and business relations. This reception has become a fixed date in Vancouver’s event calendar and a vivid testament to the growing bilateral ties between our countries. For more information, please visit our LinkedIn account.

In this context, it is worth highlighting the German Canadian Business Association (GCBA), founded in Vancouver over 60 years ago, as a cornerstone of the German economic and business presence in Western Canada. Over the past twelve months, the GCBA has experienced remarkable growth in membership, activities, and public visibility. Just a few days ago, it officially inaugurated its Alberta section in Calgary, expanding its activities into the prairies. This is a success story that promises many more chapters in the years to come.

These developments also reinforce the statements of German and Canadian officials—most notably the recent speech by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum in Davos—that efforts to diversify trade relations and enhance their resilience are progressing steadily. Canada has concluded a number of economic agreements with countries across the globe, as has the European Union, following the model of the highly successful Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the EU, in force since 2017. This agreement demonstrates that only cooperation within a mutual, equal, and rules-based system—allowing the free flow of goods, services, and capital—can safeguard and promote prosperity, growth, and economic development. Coercion, bullying, or “my backyard first” approaches do not serve businesses or citizens alike. What companies need is stability, reliability, and a favourable economic and legal framework in which to thrive and generate benefits for all. To preserve and strengthen this system, we must remain steadfast, courageous, and open to new opportunities. This system—our system—has shown remarkable resilience against all odds, and by working together, we can make it even stronger.

I wish you every success in your endeavors and the joy of seeing your efforts bear fruit.

Yours sincerely,
Marc Eichhorn
Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Vancouver