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Harnessing common ground: Advancing cooperation between Canada and Latin America

October 30, 2025 | Activity

As the Americas navigate an era of profound global change, collaboration between Canada and Latin America stands as a key pathway to achieving enduring and responsible development that promotes shared prosperity and inclusive growth. With this vision, the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas (CPAM), in collaboration with the Group of Embassies of Latin American countries (GRULA), hosted the Third Latin American Dialogue on the Hill on October 30, 2025, in Ottawa.

Held during the concluding week of Latin American Heritage Month in Canada, this high-level political dialogue brought together Canadian parliamentarians, Latin American ambassadors, and a representative from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) for a dynamic exchange on how to deepen regional cooperation. The discussions centered on expanding trade, technological collaboration, and joint initiatives to build stronger, more resilient connections across the hemisphere.

In her welcoming remarks, Member of Parliament Patricia Lattanzio, Chair of the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas, highlighted the importance of fostering direct dialogue between parliamentarians and diplomatic representatives to deepen hemispheric relationships. She was joined by H.E. Ricardo Cisneros, Ambassador of El Salvador to Canada and Dean of GRULA, and the Honourable Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who both emphasized Canada’s longstanding friendship with Latin America and the opportunities for expanding collaboration in key areas such as trade, innovation, and sustainable development.

Moderated by Alisha Todd, Director General of ParlAmericas, the dialogue underscored that the partnership between Canada and Latin America holds immense potential for advancing stability and long-term prosperity across the hemisphere. Participants noted that this goal can be achieved by deepening cooperation in areas where the two regions already share successful experiences and complementary strengths. From long-standing trade agreements to new joint initiatives, it became clear that the track record of collaboration between Canada and Latin America provides solid foundations on which to build more integrated and resilient economies.

Building on this momentum, the dialogue highlighted how areas of clear synergy can amplify the tangible benefits of partnerships. Technology, infrastructure, energy, tourism, and economic development emerged as common priorities where coordinated action could unlock new sources of prosperity and resilience. Canada’s innovation ecosystem and Latin America’s dynamic economies together offer fertile ground for reimagining regional value chains.

As the event drew to a close, Glen Linder, Assistant Deputy Minister at Global Affairs Canada, emphasized the region’s strategic importance within Canada’s broader trade diversification efforts. To that end, leveraging existing free trade agreements and entering into new ones was presented as an important step toward deepening economic cooperation and expanding opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth. The discussion also pointed to the value of revitalizing trade missions and fostering stronger collaboration between governments and the private sector to ensure that commercial partnerships translate into meaningful benefits for communities across the hemisphere. Parliamentary diplomacy was underscored as a strategic tool for advancing these goals – enabling legislators to build trust, expand meaningful country to country ties, and align policy frameworks that support inclusive and enduring economic development.

Ultimately, the exchange went well beyond trade and investment. It reflected a shared commitment to the values that bind Canada and Latin America together: democracy, inclusion, and respect for human rights. The conversations highlighted not only the vitality of existing partnerships but also the many opportunities to continue deepening ties across the hemisphere, translating shared aspirations into tangible progress for the peoples of the Americas.