21.29°C Vancouver
connect fm logo

Jul 24, 2026 3:58 PM - Connect Newsroom - Jasmine Singh with files from The Canadian Press

Canada, Ecuador sign free trade agreement, Ottawa says deal will expand opportunities for exporters

Share On
canada-ecuador-sign-free-trade-agreement-ottawa-says-deal-will-expand-opportunities-for-exporters
The agreement must still complete the required domestic implementation process before it takes effect. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

The Government of Canada has officially signed a free trade agreement with Ecuador, marking a new step in expanding Canada's trade relationships in Latin America.

According to the Government of Canada, International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and Ecuador's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, Luis Alberto Jaramillo, signed the agreement during a ceremony in Ottawa on Friday. The federal government said the agreement is expected to create new opportunities for Canadian businesses, workers and exporters.

Federal officials said the agreement will improve market access across several sectors, including agriculture, agri-food, clean technology, infrastructure, natural resources, manufacturing, services and digital trade. The agreement must still complete the required domestic implementation process before it takes effect.

Separately, Sidhu announced that he will lead a high-level Canadian trade mission to India from Oct. 12 to 17. According to the minister, the delegation will meet with government representatives and business leaders in Mumbai and Bengaluru to strengthen commercial ties and explore new investment and trade opportunities.

Latest news

See All
BCJul 24, 2026

Wildfire smoke degrades air quality across parts of B.C.; warnings remain in effect

Smoke from ongoing wildfires in British Columbia continues to reduce air quality across several parts of the province, with Kelowna experiencing hazardous conditions on Thursday. According to IQAir, Kelowna's Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeded 300 at one point Thursday afternoon, making it the city with the poorest air quality in the world during that period. Earlier in the week, Ashcroft recorded Canada's worst air quality on Monday morning. Environment Canada has maintained high-impact air quality warnings for several regions, including the Fraser Canyon, Merritt and Kelowna. The agency says w
new-gordie-howe-international-bridge-to-open-to-public-traffic-monday
CanadaJul 24, 2026

New Gordie Howe International Bridge to open to public traffic Monday

The Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, will open to public traffic on Monday, marking a major milestone for cross-border transportation between Canada and the United States. Federal Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson made the announcement during the bridge's official opening ceremony on the Canadian side in Windsor. According to the federal government, the new cable-stayed bridge spans the Detroit River and provides a direct highway-to-highway connection between Ontario Highway 401 and Michigan Interstate 75. The six-lane bridge is expect
sonam-wangchuk-ends-hunger-strike-reports-claim-congress-mp-vivek-tankha-helped-break-deadlock
IndiaJul 24, 2026

Sonam Wangchuk ends hunger strike; reports claim Congress MP Vivek Tankha helped break deadlock

Social activist Sonam Wangchuk has ended his hunger strike after what he described as two days of continuous talks with the central government. Reports claim Congress Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha played a key role in facilitating backchannel discussions that helped resolve the impasse. According to the reports, backchannel negotiations continued for nearly three days, with efforts made at multiple levels to reach a consensus. Some Ladakhi leaders are also reported to have acted as intermediaries during the discussions. Tankha has previously represented Wangchuk in the Supreme Court in a case re
canada-ecuador-sign-free-trade-agreement-ottawa-says-deal-will-expand-opportunities-for-exporters
CanadaJul 24, 2026

Canada, Ecuador sign free trade agreement, Ottawa says deal will expand opportunities for exporters

The Government of Canada has officially signed a free trade agreement with Ecuador, marking a new step in expanding Canada's trade relationships in Latin America. According to the Government of Canada, International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and Ecuador's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, Luis Alberto Jaramillo, signed the agreement during a ceremony in Ottawa on Friday. The federal government said the agreement is expected to create new opportunities for Canadian businesses, workers and exporters. Federal officials said the agreement will improve market access across several
AlbertaJul 24, 2026

Experts say latest U.S. tariff threats could affect provinces unevenly

Economists say the latest U.S. tariff threats are expected to have different impacts across Canada, with Alberta and Saskatchewan among the least exposed provinces based on current export patterns. University of Calgary economics professor Trevor Tombe said Alberta and Saskatchewan are each expected to see about one per cent of their total exports affected by the latest U.S. tariff list. According to Tombe, that is a lower level of exposure than many other provinces. The Trump administration has cited Canadian restrictions on U.S. alcohol sales as one of the reasons for the proposed tariffs. A

Related News

New Gordie Howe International Bridge to open to public traffic Monday

New Gordie Howe International Bridge to open to public traffic Monday

The Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, will open to public traffic on Monday, marking a major milestone for cross-border transportation between Canada and the United States. Federal Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson made the announcement during the bridge's official opening ceremony on the Canadian side in Windsor. According to the federal government, the new cable-stayed bridge spans the Detroit River and provides a direct highway-to-highway connection between Ontario Highway 401 and Michigan Interstate 75. The six-lane bridge is expect
Carney says Canada prepared to respond if U.S. tariffs take effect

Carney says Canada prepared to respond if U.S. tariffs take effect

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada is prepared to impose retaliatory tariffs if negotiations with the United States fail and new U.S. trade measures are implemented. Speaking to reporters Thursday following the conclusion of a three-day meeting of Canada's premiers in Charlottetown, Carney said the federal government's priority remains reaching a trade agreement with the United States. However, he said Canada is prepared to take all necessary steps to protect its economic interests if a negotiated solution cannot be reached. Carney also described the tariff threat as a familiar pressure ta
Fuel costs on the rise as latest geopolitical turmoil drives up crude oil prices

Fuel costs on the rise as latest geopolitical turmoil drives up crude oil prices

Fuel costs are on the rise in Canada as geopolitical turmoil drives the price of crude oil to its highest level in more than a month. Gasbuddy.com, which crowdsources pump price data from across Canada and the U.S, says the Canadian national average now sits above $1.80 a litre- a two-cent increase from a day earlier and an eight-cent bump from a week ago. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at Gasbuddy, says that could rise by another five to 10 cents over the next week or two as the full impact of the crude price jump works its way through the supply chain. West Texas Intermediate cr
connect fm logo

Legals

Privacy policy
Journalism code of ethics
© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.
MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

About
Advertisers
Careers
Contact
Feedback
Accessibility Plan
Broadcasting Notice of Consultation
BC Children's Hospital
Android app linkApple app link