CTPL Certificate in Trade Diversification
October 22 and 23, 2025
9am-12pm EST
The impact of US trade actions has forced Canadian SMEs and Canadian governments at all levels to rethink how Canadian business competes in the international economy. This course provides analytical tools and expert advice on how policy officials and commercial officers can support SMEs in achieving their international trade objectives.
Instructors:
Rosemina Nathoo, Associate Director and International Legal Counsel, CTPL
Phil Rourke, Director, CTPL
Learning Objectives:
This one-day course is intended to increase the knowledge and understanding of the participants in the following areas with a particular focus on SMEs:
- policy options to support firms in addressing the changing international competitive environment;
- strategic options for firms in addressing the commercial threats posed by US trade policy; and
- strategic options for firms in trade diversification away from dependence on the US market.
Format
This training program will be delivered online in three-hour sessions over two days. Each session runs from 9:00am to 12:00pm Eastern Standard Time (EST). Participants will be provided with MS Teams invitations for each session prior to delivery.
| Wednesday, October 22nd | |
| 9:00am | Introductions and learning objectives |
| 9:15-10:15 | Presentation and Discussion:
The changing international trade policy and competitive environment · Role of trade and economic policy in improving firm competitiveness and economic growth · US trade actions and implications for Canadian trade and economic policy · Strategic options for Canadian business in new trade environment · Strategic options for Canadian trade and economic policy moving forward |
| 10:15-10:30 | Health Break |
| 10:30-11:15 | Presentation and Discussion: How trade rules affect decisions about exporting goods
· Introducing a 5-step process to help clients understand how a trade agreement can help them successfully export goods into FTA partner countries. · Trade rules that facilitate temporary entry of business persons |
| 11:15-12:00pm | Developing a government strategy to support SMEs in dealing with the changing domestic and international competitive environment
Introduction to the CTPL Policy Analysis Mapping Tool, a matrix to assess how to use the domestic and trade policy and program tools to improve domestic competitiveness and the ability of firms to increase trade |
| Thursday, October 23rd | |
| 9:00-9:15am | Introduction to Day 2 |
| 9:15-10:30 | Case exercise: Navigating Tariff Impacts and Growth Challenges
Participants work in groups using the CTPL Policy Analysis Mapping Tool to develop a recommended strategy to assist a hypothetical firm that is facing trade and competitiveness challenges that are common to the files on which the participants are working at this time. |
| 10:30-10:45 | Health Break |
| 10:30-11:00 | Case exercise continues |
| 11:15-12:00pm | Roundtable discussion: Groups present to, and discuss their recommended strategies with, the whole group. |
Cost: $850 + HST
Upon completion of the course, participants receive a Certificate of Achievement from the Centre for Trade Policy and Law, Carleton University.
For more information:
Rosemina Nathoo: roseminanathoo@cunet.carleton.ca or Phil Rourke: philrourke@cunet.carleton.ca