Amid the internal reorientation of the United States, Ontario is interested in strengthening existing ties, especially with Portugal. This was stated by Doug Ford during a meeting with Portuguese-Canadian business community members in Toronto.
The conservative Premier emphasized that Portugal is a vital trading partner for Ontario and expressed confidence in the continued growth of these relations, which contributes to creating sustainable prosperity for citizens on both sides of the Atlantic.
According to Ford, bilateral trade between Ontario and Portugal exceeded 1.1 billion Canadian dollars in 2025 (equivalent to about 682 million euros), and there are 'huge opportunities' to increase this volume and create jobs in both territories.
Addressing the Portuguese Ambassador to Canada, Ford noted that there is significant potential to expand this relationship, creating employment in Portugal, Ontario, and across the country. He also assured that Portugal will find a 'strong ally' in the Ontario Government in achieving this goal.
The Premier identified the aerospace industry, advanced manufacturing, and life sciences as sectors where both parties can deepen cooperation. Ford recalled the contacts maintained by the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade for Ontario, Vic Fedeli, with Portuguese representatives to seek new ways to develop existing partnerships.
The approach towards Portugal has been integrated into the province's strategy for market diversification and finding new trade partners, occurring against the backdrop of trade tensions with the United States, Canada's main economic partner. Ford once again spoke out against protectionism, advocating for free trade as a tool for economic growth.
At the event, organized by the Portugal-Canada Chamber of Commerce and attended by about 170 people, the Portuguese Ambassador to Canada also spoke about the possibility of taking the economic relationship between the two countries, particularly with Ontario, 'to a new level.' The diplomat highlighted areas such as mining, aerospace, defense, technology and software, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, renewable energy, and agribusiness as fields where investment and cooperation opportunities are growing.
Vitor Severino, Secretary of the Portugal-Canada Chamber of Commerce, told Lusa that labor shortages and economic uncertainty are among the main problems for Portuguese-Canadian companies in Ontario. He noted that the most frequently heard problem is, on one hand, the shortage of personnel, and on the other, general economic instability caused by the slowing economy.
Severino also pointed to technology and growth in the defense sector as one of the key opportunities that Portuguese and Canadian companies still need to explore. He concluded that there is great potential for Canadian and Portuguese enterprises to enter these markets using new technologies. The official specified that the chamber's goal is to bring entrepreneurs together with politicians and create conditions for direct business contacts, summarizing it with the phrase: 'We do not open doors. We gather people so they can open doors for each other.'