Northern Ireland and Canada have long enjoyed a rich cultural and commercial relationship, rooted in shared heritage and mutual opportunities. Now, with the establishment of Invest NI’s new Canadian Advisory Council, this bond is set to strengthen further. Here, Gary McDowell, a Ballymena native and Partner at Ernst and Young (EY) in Toronto, delves into the history of this unique connection and outlines why the Council’s work will be instrumental in unlocking fresh avenues for trade and economic growth for Northern Ireland.
It’s a story I’ve known since childhood, told with great pride within my community and painting Canada as an open door for folk from “around these parts”. Indeed, it was on my mind when I moved to Toronto in 2018, excited by the opportunity of progressing my own career in pastures new. Timothy Eaton, born in 1834 in Clough, just a few miles from my own hometown of Ahoghill, County Antrim, ventured to Canada at the tender age of 20. In the bustling streets of Toronto, he founded Eaton’s department store, a retail empire that would not only revolutionise Canadian commerce but establish lasting ties with his homeland.
Eaton’s pioneering business practices, such as the “cash-only” policy and the introduction of the mail–order catalogue, set a new standard in retail that resonated back across the Atlantic. His success spurred a demand for Irish products, from linens to foodstuffs, bolstering the north of Ireland’s economy and creating a transatlantic commercial bridge.
The enduring business relationship between Northern Ireland and Canada, fostered by pioneers like Eaton, has flourished over the decades, with the shared cultural and historical ties between the two playing a key role. By the mid–1800s, a significant wave of immigrants from Ulster had settled in the North American territory; our common heritage allowed companies to navigate each other’s markets with greater empathy and insight, providing a solid foundation for mutual understanding and partnership.
This continued into the twentieth century, which saw both regions embrace industrialisation and modernisation, expanding their economic ties. Northern Ireland’s prowess in shipbuilding, textiles, and engineering found a receptive market in Canada, while Canadian investment and technology, from businesses like Bombardier Aerospace, Nortel Networks and Magellan Aerospace, infused Northern Irish industries with new vigour.
As we entered the twenty–first century, the business landscape was further transformed by the rise of digital technology, leading to greater collaboration between our two regions, focused on sectors such as information technology, fintech, energy, and advanced manufacturing. This opened the door for Northern Irish business to make their mark in Canada, with the likes of Kainos, First Derivatives and CDE Group, to name a few, successfully establishing commercial operations in Canada and employing over 500 people collectively.
Today, the Northern Ireland–Canada relationship is stronger than ever. Northern Ireland is home to 35 Canadian–owned businesses employing over 3,000 people – a 15% increase from 2023 – making Canada the seventh largest employer in the region. In 2022, exports from Northern Ireland to Canada reached £192 million, making Canada the sixth largest single ‘off–island’ export market for Northern Ireland businesses and the third largest beyond the EU.
This robust partnership is further strengthened by each region’s strategic access to major global markets and highly skilled labour. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union (EU), Northern Ireland provides unique access to both Great Britain (GB) and EU markets for goods, acting as a gateway for the sale of goods to two of the world’s largest markets and the only place where businesses can operate free from customs declarations, rules of origin certificates and non–tariff barriers on the sale of goods to both GB and the EU. This puts Northern Ireland in the highly advantageous position of being the only region in the world able to trade goods freely with both the GB and EU markets. Likewise Canada is an accessible entry point to the US markets, also ranking second among G20 countries with whom best to do business.
So, what’s next? How can we collectively seize the opportunities afforded by such globalisation? The answer lies in deepening our partnership. As global challenges such as climate change and economic inequality demand collective solutions, Northern Ireland and Canada have an opportunity to unite in their efforts. By sharing expertise in green technologies and social entrepreneurship, businesses from both regions can contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world. We are already enjoying recognition for our efforts in this space; Belfast–based Nuada’s Innovate Carbon Capture technology has just been awarded the “Innovation in CCUS Technology” accolade at Carbon Capture Canada 2024 and Seedling Education, also from Belfast, is working with Canadian First Nations Schools and School Districts to preserve indigenous languages.
It’s in this field of education and innovation where universities and incubators could inspire and foster joint ventures and startups to become the Eatons of tomorrow, developing the human capital necessary for future economic growth.
This is where Invest NI has a pivotal role to play. With its dedicated team in Toronto, Invest NI has been instrumental in supporting Canadian investors and Northern Irish exporters. Their work has attracted first–time Canadian investors to Northern Ireland, creating 90 new jobs and representing nearly £11 million in investment. The reinvestment rate is high – over 60% of international investors choose to reinvest in Northern Ireland, drawn by its skilled workforce, business–friendly environment, and unique market access. While large companies generate 92% of Invest NI supported exports to Canada, Micro & Small–Medium–sized Enterprises also benefit from this support, accounting for 86% of the Invest NI supported businesses exporting to the region.
Building on this foundation, the newly launched Canadian Advisory Council, which I am privileged to be a part of, will work closely with Invest NI and Northern Irish Connections to support Northern Ireland’s trade and Foreign Direct Investment strategy, helping local businesses expand their presence in the Canadian market and opening channels for Canadian companies to invest in Northern Ireland. Launched on September 19th during Invest NI’s Trade Mission to Toronto, the Council will focus on agri–tech, advanced manufacturing, engineering, and financial services, helping Northern Irish businesses establish a stronger foothold in Canada and encouraging Canadian companies to look at Northern Ireland for expansion opportunities. This initiative promises to build on our shared narrative of resilience, innovation, and enduring partnership.
As we honour our past, we must embrace the opportunities of the future, ensuring that the transatlantic bridge built by visionaries like Eaton continues to support mutual prosperity and understanding. The spirit of enterprise that once propelled a young County Antrim emigrant to reshape Canadian retail is the same spirit that will guide Northern Ireland and Canada into a collaborative and thriving future.
Gary McDowell is a Partner in EY’s Strategy & Transaction practice in Toronto and Member of the Canadian Advisory Council. The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
