Strengthening Canada’s Future
Reflections on the CUSMA Policy Roundtable and the Role of Immigration in Trade
Last month, I had the opportunity to attend the Federal Consultation on the Operations of CUSMA Roundtable, hosted by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. This important event brought together business leaders, policymakers, and trade experts to discuss how Canada can strengthen its position within the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), and how decisions made today will shape the next chapter of our economic and workforce future.
Trade and Immigration: Two Sides of the Same Strategy
At April in the Rockies Immigration Solutions, we’ve long believed that immigration is not just a workforce solution, but that it’s also an economic strategy.
Trade agreements like CUSMA play a critical role in shaping how talent moves, businesses grow, and communities thrive.
During the roundtable, Meaghan Pelton, Director and Senior Trade Commissioner with the Trade Commissioner Service for Alberta and the Northwest Territories, shared valuable insights into how Canada and Alberta are actively engaging with the United States and Mexico to build stronger trade relationships.
What stood out most this time was the approach, in that much of the advocacy is happening behind closed doors, allowing Canada to quietly protect its interests and strengthen relationships across all 51 U.S. states.
The goal, as it was put out, is to “make the invisible visible again” and ensuring that policies or tariffs aimed at other regions, don’t unintentionally harm Canadian businesses.
Why I Chose to Participate
As a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC-IRB) and business owner, I see every day how trade policy, immigration frameworks, and labour market realities are deeply intertwined.
Employers across Canada rely on fair, efficient immigration pathways to fill critical skill gaps, and trade agreements like CUSMA directly influence how easily professionals can move across borders to meet those needs.
I chose to participate in this consultation because it’s vital that voices like ours, that represent small business, employers, and immigration professionals, are included in these discussions.
We need to ensure that immigration remains part of Canada’s broader trade and innovation strategy, not a separate conversation.
To support that goal, April in the Rockies Immigration Solutions also submitted a written letter to the Calgary Chamber of Commerce as part of their contribution to the federal consultation process.
Our recommendations focused on:
• Enhancing cross-border professional mobility;
• Improving credential recognition between member countries; and
• Strengthening employer-driven immigration pathways that align with real workforce demand.
A Call for Broader Participation
The federal consultation on CUSMA invited input from a wide range of Canadians; from businesses and industry associations to academics, civil society groups, Indigenous peoples, and youth.
This inclusive approach recognizes that trade and economic policy affect everyone, not just large corporations.
It’s encouraging to see Canada taking a whole-of-society approach to shaping its position ahead of the next CUSMA review.
By aligning trade, labour, and immigration policy, we can build a future where Canadian businesses have access to the talent they need and where newcomers find opportunities to contribute meaningfully to our shared prosperity.
Looking Ahead
The federal consultation on CUSMA invited input from a wide range of Canadians; from businesses and industry associations to academics, civil society groups, Indigenous peoples, and youth.
This inclusive approach recognizes that trade and economic policy affect everyone, not just large corporations.
It’s encouraging to see Canada taking a whole-of-society approach to shaping its position ahead of the next CUSMA review.
By aligning trade, labour, and immigration policy, we can build a future where Canadian businesses have access to the talent they need and where newcomers find opportunities to contribute meaningfully to our shared prosperity.
About April in the Rockies Immigration Solutions
As we await the results of this consultation, one thing is clear: Canada’s success depends on our ability to connect trade with talent. When we strengthen our cross-border relationships and remove unnecessary barriers to mobility, we unlock growth, innovation, and long-term stability.
At April in the Rockies Immigration Solutions, we’ll continue to advocate for policies that bridge immigration and trade in support that Canada remains not only competitive but compassionate in how it grows.