About the Canada-Israel Chamber of Commerce
A national organization providing a forum for companies, industry professionals, and individuals to share ideas, network, and engage in bilateral trade and investment.
At the Canada-Israel Chamber of Commerce (CICC), we pride ourselves as a national organization providing a forum in which companies, industry professionals and individuals convene to share ideas, network, or engage in bilateral trade or investment.
Mission Statement
"The Canada-Israel Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to strengthening Canada's commercial and economic ties with Israel by bringing together people, ideas, and capital to promote trade, investment, partnership, and shared values between the two nations."
Our History
Over 50 years of promoting business, investment and trade between Canada and Israel
Foundation & Early Years
The CICC was originally incorporated in the late 1970s by Canadian community leaders who sought to promote greater ties between business communities in Canada and Israel by encouraging creative innovation between the two countries. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the CICC served as a platform to connect Canadian and Israeli businesses, government agencies and other institutions.
Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement
The CICC played a significant part in the creation of the Canada–Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA), which was signed in 1996 and enhanced in 2002, 2003 and 2015 with our support. The CIFTA was Canada's first free trade agreement outside of the Western Hemisphere and the CICC is proud of its role in this signature achievement in Canada-Israel relations.
Today & Beyond
Today, the CICC continues to monitor and encourage further engagement to increase investment and trade between Israel and Canada across new fields of activity, products and services, with a particular focus on technology sectors. We serve as an introductory facilitator between Canadian and Israeli businesspeople in the Jewish community and beyond.
Organization Structure
How we operate to serve our members and the Canada-Israel business community
Board of Directors
The CICC is managed by its Board of Directors, who have set up various Board Committees to oversee the business and affairs of the organization.
Executive Committee
The day-to-day activities of the CICC are managed by the organization's Executive Committee, ensuring efficient operations.
Board Committees
Specialized committees with specific mandates in areas critical to the operation of the CICC
Cross-Border Economic Opportunities
Facilitating commerce among stakeholders
Events Committee
Planning and executing events
Finance & Governance
Managing financial and corporate affairs
Fundraising & Friends
Raising support from stakeholders
Partnerships & Communications
Community relations and media
Canada-Israel Relationship
A strong partnership built on shared values, mutual cooperation, and extensive people-to-people ties
Diplomatic History
Canada recognized the State of Israel upon its founding in 1948, and the two countries established formal diplomatic relations on May 11, 1949. Since then, Canada and Israel have developed an exceptional bilateral relationship based on mutual cooperation in key strategic areas.
Canada and Israel have strong, multidimensional bilateral relations, marked by close political, economic, social and cultural ties. Support for Israel, especially its right to live in peace and security with its neighbours, has been at the core of Canada's Middle East policy since 1948.
People-to-People Ties
One of the underlying strengths of the Canada-Israel bilateral relationship lies in the extensive people-to-people ties. There are approximately 35,000 Canadian citizens living in Israel and many Canadians travel to the country every year.
The Canadian-Jewish community, which numbers around 400,000, serves as an integral bridge between Canada and Israel. These informal ties give rise to significant cooperation between our two countries in business, philanthropy, culture and tourism.
Trade Relations
Israel is an important economic partner for Canada in the Middle East, with a full range of business possibilities including trade and investment.
$1.8B+
Two-way merchandise trade (2024)
$1.5B
Canadian investment in Israel
$1.9B
Israeli investment in Canada
1997
CIFTA signed (modernized 2019)
Strategic Partnership & Agreements
The bilateral relationship is strengthened by the Canada-Israel Strategic Partnership MOU, facilitating deeper cooperation in energy, security, international aid and development, innovation, and the promotion of human rights globally.
Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA)
Canada's first FTA outside North America, providing duty-free access for virtually all industrial products and improved market access for agricultural products.
Science, Technology & Innovation
Over 20 years of close collaboration supporting joint research, development and commercialization projects between governments and businesses.
Air Transport Agreement
Expanded agreement facilitating travel and business connections between the two countries.
Double Taxation Convention
Agreement (2016) to avoid double taxation and support cross-border business activities.
Source: Information from Global Affairs Canada - Canada-Israel Relations
Contact Us
Address:
Suite 1600, 1 First Canadian Place
100 King Street West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Email:
[email protected]