Consulate Office of France in Vancouver
Nicolas Baudouin Consul General
1130 West Pender street – suite 1100
Vancouver, BC V6E 4A4
nicolas.baudouin@diplomatie.gouv.fr
European Union Chamber of Commerce in Canada
- Website: eu-canada.com
La Chambre de Commerce Francophone de Vancouver
- Tel: (604) 601-2124
- Email: Info@Ccfvancouver.com
Trade Commissioner Service France
- Tel: +33(0)144432900
- Email: france-td@international.gc.ca
France is a wealthy OECD country, one of Canada’s top trading partners, and the third largest partner in Europe for overall goods and services trade. It has a modern, diversified economy, anchored by strong political institutions, world-class companies, and a sound banking sector.
Economic stability is supported by high-value industries such as aerospace, ICT, automotive, energy, and life sciences. France ranks 22nd out of 137 in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report, underlining its attractiveness for investment. While public debt remains a challenge, the government is advancing competitiveness reforms and investment incentives, particularly in green technologies and digital transformation.
For Canadian businesses, France serves as both a direct market and a gateway into the wider European Union, amplified by the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which reduces tariffs and increases mobility of people, goods, and services.
France provides Canadian companies with a competitive environment supported by innovation clusters, a skilled workforce, and preferential trade access under CETA.
Key Sectors
- Aerospace
- Mining & Metals
- Oil & Gas
- Power & Utilities
- Renewable Energies
- Telecommunications
- Transportation Services
Trade Agreements
- Canada-European Union: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
- World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA)
- Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
- Agreement on Trade-related Investment Measures (TRIMS)
- General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (GATT)
- General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
- World Trade Organization Information Technology Agreement (ITA)
- World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA)
Canadian firms can benefit from:
- Partnerships in aerospace, clean-tech, and renewable energy
- High-value collaborations in ICT, AI, and cybersecurity
- Cross-investment opportunities in both directions, with French subsidiaries in Canada employing over 100,000 people and Canadian companies active in France across multiple sectors
- Leverage CETA to lower costs and facilitate smoother entry into the EU market
Canada – France Relations
Canada and France share mutually beneficial economic relations, with growing trade in goods, services, and investment.
- Goods trade: In 2018, bilateral trade reached CAD $10.6 billion, with Canadian exports ($3.4B) including hi-tech products, minerals, chemicals, and agri-food. French exports ($7.2B) included aeronautics, machinery, wines & spirits, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and consumer goods.
- Services trade: Bilateral services trade totaled CAD $6.7 billion, with Canada as a net importer of French services.
- Tourism: Travel flows are strong: 604,000 French tourists visited Canada, while 1.2 million Canadians visited France.
- Investment: Cross-investments are extensive — nearly 250 French subsidiaries of Canadian companiesoperate in France, while over 1,100 Canadian subsidiaries of French firms employ more than 105,000 people in Canada.
- Innovation: Joint commitments in science, technology, and innovation target aerospace, biotech, precision agriculture, nanotech, green energy, and digital technologies.
Additional Resources
- Guide to Doing Business in France (PwC)
- Invest in France – Free Consultancy
- France – Canada Cultural Relations
- French Consulate in Vancouver
- France’s Economy and Investment
- Canadian Trade with France (Government of Canada)
CETA Video Resources
Entry Links
Strengthening Trade Ties Between the European Union and British Columbia with CETA
Join us for an informative and timely webinar focused on strengthening trade connections between British Columbia and the European Union through the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). With increasing uncertainty surrounding Canada–U.S. trade relations, this session will showcase the untapped potential of CETA as a stable, competitive, and accessible framework for doing business with France and the broader EU market. Since 2024, a collaborative initiative between the French Treasury, Expertise France, and Global Affairs Canada has deployed an “International Trade Expert” to promote CETA and support Canada-EU trade relations.
This event offers British Columbia companies and trade advisors a rare opportunity to deepen their understanding of CETA provisions, discover practical tools, and explore promising import/export sectors between France and BC.
What You’ll Learn: Key CETA provisions that support cross-border trade (tariff elimination, labour mobility, procurement, services liberalization) Regulatory compliance essentials (HS codes, rules of origin, labelling, certifications, IP) How to maximize financial and operational benefits from CETA Introduction to France-Canada trade facilitators who can help you access the European market How CETA serves as a strategic alternative to U.S.-based trade amid global uncertainty
Presentation by Eric Petersson – Global Affairs Canada
Presentation by Jean-Toussaint Olivieri-Battestini of Expertise France
