Ontario business leaders head to Washington ahead of CUSMA review

(TORONTO – March 27, 2026) – The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) will lead a business delegation to Washington, D.C. next week, ahead of the review of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). The mission will reinforce the importance of stable, predictable, rules-based trade to North America’s deeply integrated economy.

The delegation includes leaders from key sectors such as energy, life sciences, manufacturing, agriculture, and forest products. They will engage with U.S. counterparts, policymakers, and industry associations. As North American energy security, affordability, and competitiveness are top of mind for businesses and government, the Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines, will also join the mission.

Discussions will focus on safeguarding supply chains, protecting jobs, and ensuring CUSMA continues to deliver shared prosperity across borders.

“With global uncertainty rising, Ontario businesses seek trade certainty in North America – as do our American partners,” said Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “On both sides of the border, businesses want fewer barriers, not more, backed by a fair, enforceable trilateral agreement. And even as Canadian businesses diversify their trading relationships, our most important relationships will remain here in North America.”

OCC delegates will advance several core priorities:

• Preserve CUSMA as a trilateral, rules-based agreement with a reliable dispute settlement system that provides clarity and certainty for businesses in all three
• Remove tariffs on key inputs such as steel, aluminum and forest products to protect integrated supply chains that support jobs across regions and sectors.
• Extend and refresh CUSMA – avoiding attempts to rewrite an agreement that is working for businesses in all Improvements could include more effective automotive rules of origin, duty-free access for critical medical goods, and coordinated action to address non-market steel.
• Reflect business consensus that free and fair trade under CUSMA drives jobs, resilience and competitiveness across North America. In particular, manufacturers across the Great Lakes region rely on the agreement as a cornerstone of their supply chains.

Ontario is Canada’s largest exporting province and the top trading partner for many U.S. states. Every day, billions of dollars in goods cross the border, supporting millions of jobs in both countries, and reinforcing North America’s shared economic strength.

“On CUSMA, the key ideas are ‘review’ and ‘renew’ – not ‘re-do,’” Tisch added. “Businesses want an efficient, pragmatic review that builds on shared wins, lowers barriers, and keeps North America competitive.”

The OCC will continue working with partners across Canada, the United States and Mexico to advance a coordinated, business-led approach to the CUSMA review.

— 30 —

About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is the indispensable partner of business and Canada’s largest, most influential provincial chamber. It is an independent, non-profit advocacy and member services organization representing a diverse network of 60,000 members. The OCC convenes, mobilizes and empowers business and local chambers in pursuit of its purpose: to bring inclusive and sustainable prosperity to Ontario’s businesses, workers, and communities.

For more information, please contact:

Andrea Carmona Director of Public Affairs
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
andreacarmona@occ.ca | Mobile: 647-234-0255

Support Quotes:

“Amid unprecedented uncertainty, Ontario’s mission in Washington is to champion a stable investment climate with the U.S., export our nuclear and critical mineral leadership, and help lay the groundwork for a successful CUSMA review. Ontario’s vision is to build a North American economic fortress that keeps our supply chains strong and competitive, as we face growing threats and market concentration from China.” – Hon. Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Mines

“Ontario’s message in Washington is clear: we’re stronger when we work together to strengthen North American energy security and dominance. Nuclear energy and medical isotopes are a critical part of that equation, and Ontario’s leadership – from operations to innovation – positions us to help meet growing energy needs while exporting expertise and solutions beyond our borders.” – James Scongack, Chief Operating Officer & EVP, Bruce Power