Canada and Ecuador are set to formally sign a free trade agreement in Ottawa on Friday, marking a significant step in strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
A spokesperson for International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu confirmed that a signing ceremony will take place, although no public events have been scheduled.
Ecuador’s Minister of Production, Foreign Trade and Investment, Luis Alberto Jaramillo, is expected to attend the ceremony, according to the Embassy of Ecuador in Canada.
The agreement comes after trade negotiations concluded in early 2025. Under the proposed deal, Ecuador would eliminate tariffs on virtually all Canadian imports, expanding market access for Canadian businesses.
According to the federal government, bilateral trade between Canada and Ecuador reached nearly $2.2 billion in 2025.
The agreement, however, has faced criticism from several Canadian organizations and civil society groups. Opponents argue the deal could have negative environmental consequences and may worsen human rights concerns in Ecuador.
The federal government has maintained that the agreement will strengthen trade and investment opportunities while deepening Canada’s economic partnership with the South American nation.
