This article first appeared in QBiz Magazine.

Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs are entering a new era of global opportunities. As international markets open doors for certified suppliers, 2026 is shaping up to be a milestone year for CQCC’s Global Program. With a full slate of upcoming Trade Missions (domestic and international), Canadian queer businesses will have more pathways than ever to access new markets and expand their growth and global reach. 

CQCC has led Trade Missions since 2018, when the organization hosted Canada’s first-ever international LGBTQ+ delegation. These Missions have allowed more than 100 Canadian delegates and more than 60 Canadian suppliers and SMEs to build relationships abroad. The 2026 cycle carries on with a renewed focus on export readiness, inclusive economic development, and connecting Canadian SMEs to a rapidly growing global ecosystem of diverse chambers of commerce. 

Cass Elliott, Manager of the Global Program at CQCC, explains: “Canada is entering a moment where global engagement really matters. With Prime Minister Mark Carney’s goal of doubling Canada’s non-U.S. exports by 2030, our communities have a real opportunity to lead. These Missions are built to help 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs step confidently into that global space and claim their share of the growth ahead.”  

A new wave of trade missions 

The next program cycle will feature a series of Missions to major Canadian and international markets, offering delegates a dynamic mix of B2B matchmaking, curated networking, market briefings, and sector-specific insights. Destinations include France, Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, and Colombia, each selected for its economic potential and strong partnerships within the Global Program’s international network. Cass Elliott explains the vision behind these initiatives: “We design these Missions to move people from possibility to momentum—because when you’re in the room, doors start opening.” 

For entrepreneurs, the experience can be transformative. Murielle Bien-Aimé, CEO of La Maison Komandō and past delegate, reflects: “My first Trade Mission taught me this: when you step into a new market with purpose, your vision expands. You meet real connectors, you build a solid network and somewhere along the way, you start becoming one yourself.” 

At the heart of these Missions is CQCC’s commitment to helping Canadian 2SLGBTQI+-owned businesses navigate the complexities of international trade. Delegates gain practical insights on approaching new markets, connecting with local and multinational buyers, and identifying concrete export opportunities. Many also benefit from the program’s Export Readiness Training, a modular course designed to equip entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge they need before taking the leap abroad. 

As one participant shared after attending the Mexico City Trade Mission: “Attending a Trade Mission, even to explore how feasible a new market might be, is a no-brainer for entrepreneurs who want to forge a new path, leverage the Canadian brand, and embrace new forms of success.” 

A growing international network 

These Missions build on years of deepening partnerships with 2SLGBTQI+ chambers of commerce around the world, including in Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Europe, the United States, and more. Through this network, Canadian SMEs access market insights, introductions to potential collaborators, and pathways to procurement opportunities in emerging and established markets. 

Recent Trade Missions have demonstrated the impact of this model: at last year’s Mexico Mission, Canadian delegates participated in more than 80 B2B meetings, generated over 150 business leads, and connected with over 100 diversity-focused corporate partners at the Pride Connection México Summit in 2024.  

Randy Boissonneault, President of Superbia Group, his newly launched strategy consulting firm, and program participant, shared the value of these connections: “I have nine solid contacts from this Trade Mission. Five of these are important contacts at the Embassy, including the Ambassador and the Head of the Trade Section. These contacts have already led to corporate opportunities and follow-ups with Invest in Canada.”  

In Brazil and New York, delegates highlighted how global 2SLGBTQI+ business forums allowed them to pitch to buyers they would never have met on their own. The 2026 Missions continue this trajectory, designed not only to connect entrepreneurs to buyers, but to help them understand the broader economic and cultural landscape they’re stepping into. Whether joining market briefings from Canadian embassies abroad or networking with local SMEs, participants gain insights that go far beyond a simple introduction. 

Why Trade Missions matter 

For many Canadian 2SLGBTQI+-owned businesses, accessing global markets isn’t just about scaling, it’s about visibility, representation, and economic resilience.  

As Randy Boissonneau noted: “Canada needs to diversify not just where we trade as a country but also who gets to trade. Support from the federal government is critical to opening markets for 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs.” 

Programs like CQCC’s help level the playing field by connecting diverse-owned SMEs with the same international opportunities that larger companies often access more easily. Travelling as a group with the full backing of the Embassy and CQCC, alongside financial support, is a game changer for delegates seeking new markets. 

By supporting these businesses, Canada strengthens its position as a leader in inclusive trade. It also builds bridges that foster long-term collaboration between nations and communities committed to economic empowerment, human rights, and equality. 

What 2026 holds 

As trade missions ramp up, CQCC is eager to spotlight the entrepreneurs who will shape this next chapter. The upcoming Missions aim to showcase Canadian innovation across sectors, from tech to manufacturing, consulting to consumer goods, and to open doors for businesses ready to think globally. 

More details on registration, eligibility, and dates are available on the CQCC website (queerchamber.ca). Applications for the France and Japan missions open in February 2026, while those for Taiwan, Toronto, Colombia, and Brazil will be available in March 2026. 

CQCC remains committed to advancing economic inclusion and showcasing the global potential of Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ business community. 2026 will be a pivotal year for global expansion, and Canadian queer entrepreneurs are ready to lead. 

Discover how inclusive businesses are shaping international markets! Click here to learn more about CQCC’s Global Program and see how your business can take part in our upcoming Trade Missions.