CanExport SMEs – Trade Commissioner Service Canada

CanExport SMEs – Trade Commissioner Service Canada

By GovPrepare News Desk – November 28, 2025

Standfirst: The Government of Canada has announced a new round of support for CanExport SMEs through the Trade Commissioner Service, providing direct funding to small and medium-sized enterprises aiming to expand into global markets. The initiative aims to enhance Canadian competitiveness and diversify trade partners.

Key Highlights

• CanExport SMEs provides up to $50,000 in funding to eligible Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises for international market development.
• The initiative is part of Canada’s export diversification strategy under the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS).
• Eligible activities include travel for market visits, legal and IP services, online advertising, and trade event participation.
• The program has reopened applications as of late 2025 and prioritizes businesses with fewer than 500 full-time employees and annual revenues between $100,000 and $100 million.
• The initiative supports businesses in identifying foreign markets, developing export strategies, and increasing global resilience.
• Application processing is currently averaging 60 business days due to high demand, according to Global Affairs Canada.

Background and Context

Launched in 2016, the CanExport SMEs program is a joint initiative by Global Affairs Canada and the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS), designed to help small and medium-sized Canadian businesses build international sales and foreign partnerships. The program falls under Canada’s overall strategy to expand and diversify trade beyond traditional partners such as the United States, especially after global economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to data from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), SMEs account for 98 percent of businesses in Canada, but only about 12 percent of these firms export. To address this gap, CanExport SMEs has distributed more than $80 million in funding since inception, helping over 3,000 businesses pursue global opportunities.

Export diversification is a cornerstone of the federal government’s policy agenda, particularly following supply chain challenges and protectionist trends in international trade. The Trade Commissioner Service plays a vital role in this effort by offering market intelligence, in-country support, and funding tools like CanExport.

The New Development

Global Affairs Canada, in partnership with the Trade Commissioner Service, reopened the CanExport SMEs program application intake in late 2025. The reopening follows a temporary pause due to budgeting and program recalibration.

Eligible small and medium-sized enterprises can now apply to receive up to $50,000 in non-repayable contributions to expand their international market presence. The funding can cover up to 50 percent of project costs related to:

• Travel to target foreign markets
• Legal fees associated with intellectual property (IP) protection
• Translation of marketing materials
• Participation in international trade missions and exhibitions
• Development and optimization of e-commerce platforms targeting foreign buyers

To qualify, applicants must be for-profit businesses incorporated in Canada, have fewer than 500 full-time employees, and annual gross revenues between $100,000 and $100 million. The funded activities must be intended for markets where the applicant has had minimal prior export sales.

According to a recent update from Global Affairs Canada, current application reviews are taking an average of 60 business days due to strong interest. Applicants are encouraged to plan ahead and apply early.

Expert and Industry Reaction

Industry stakeholders have generally welcomed the reopening of the CanExport SMEs program. The Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) organization described the program as “an essential tool for reducing domestic market reliance and boosting SME resilience.”

Julia Kuzeljevich, communications director at the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA), commented that “programs like CanExport are critical for SMEs looking to navigate complex foreign logistics, documentation, and regulatory issues.”

Export Development Canada (EDC) also reaffirmed its support, noting that the ease and flexibility of CanExport funding complements its own services, such as credit insurance and trade finance for SMEs.

Alignment with Global or National Standards

The CanExport SMEs program aligns with Canada’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). By supporting SME internationalization, the initiative indirectly promotes inclusive economic development and innovation.

From a national policy perspective, the program supports the Government of Canada’s Export Diversification Strategy, launched in 2018, which aimed to increase overseas exports by 50 percent by 2025. The initiative also responds to commitments under trade agreements such as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Moreover, the update reflects feedback from the OECD’s recommendations on SME policy, which emphasize facilitating internationalization through grants, capacity-building, and market intelligence.

Impact on Stakeholders

The CanExport SMEs program offers substantial benefits to Canadian SMEs seeking to scale internationally. For many, the financial support can mean the difference between launching a global marketing campaign or deferring expansion due to budgetary constraints.

In the short term, approved applicants can rapidly begin market research, IP registration, and promotional activities in foreign jurisdictions. Support for travel also means entrepreneurs and business development professionals can secure face-to-face meetings with distributors or clients abroad.

Over the long term, the initiative may bolster Canada’s economic resilience by reducing overdependence on a few trading partners and stimulating innovation-driven growth. Local economies may also benefit from spillover effects such as job creation, tech transfer, and increased productivity for exporting firms.

Official Guidance

• CanExport SMEs – Trade Commissioner Service
• Global Affairs Canada
• Government of Canada Newsroom
• Statistics Canada – Small Business Exporters Report
• OECD SME Policy Framework

Conclusion

The relaunch of the CanExport SMEs program marks a significant step in empowering Canadian businesses to compete globally. With rising demand, program administrators are urging early applications and strategic planning.

Through financial support and international advisory services, the Trade Commissioner Service is enabling SMEs to identify new opportunities abroad, fortify their operations, and build long-term partnerships in diverse markets. Updates regarding further intakes or changes to eligibility criteria will be posted on Global Affairs Canada’s website and relayed through regional trade commissioners.

For entrepreneurs seeking to expand beyond domestic markets, CanExport SMEs continues to be a vital, evidence-based solution aligned with national trade strategies and international best practices.

Excerpt (Meta Description): Canada reopens CanExport SMEs program, offering up to $50k in funding for small businesses seeking global expansion via the Trade Commissioner Service.

Tags: CanExport SMEs, Trade Commissioner Service, Global Affairs Canada, export funding, Canadian SMEs, international trade, business grants, export strategy, government programs, economic development, trade diversification, international business