In a moment when familiar trade routes feel less certain, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is traveling to Dublin and London to cultivate new economic ground. From July 6 to 12, she leads a delegation of film and television industry representatives, seeking co-production treaties and foreign investment that might anchor the city's creative economy against the turbulence of shifting continental politics. The mission is both practical and symbolic — a city reaching across the Atlantic to remind itself, and the world, that partnership is still possible.
Toronto Mayor Chow heads to UK and Ireland to boost film industry trade
reliable trade partners have never been more important
Mark
Why is a mayor leading a trade mission focused on film? Isn't that usually something for provincial or federal trade officials?
Mimi
It is, typically. But cities have become more aggressive about economic development in recent years. Toronto's film industry is substantial—it employs thousands and generates real tax revenue. Chow is essentially saying: this is an asset we have, and we're going to leverage it directly.
Luke
The source says she's meeting with production companies and broadcasters, but it doesn't specify which ones or whether any have already committed to anything. These are exploratory meetings, not deals.
Mark
So what's the actual ask? What does Toronto want from Dublin and London?
Mimi
Co-production treaties, mainly. That means Canadian companies can partner with UK and Irish producers on projects that qualify for both countries' tax incentives and funding programs. It makes productions cheaper and more attractive to finance.
Luke
Right, but the source doesn't say whether those treaties already exist or whether they're being negotiated. That's a significant difference.
Mark
And the Trump tariffs—how directly does this mission address that threat?
Mimi
It's indirect. The idea is that if Toronto can diversify its export markets and attract foreign investment from stable partners, the city becomes less dependent on U.S. markets. It's a hedge.
Luke
The source calls it part of an "economic action plan in response to Trump's tariffs," but we don't know what the full plan is or how effective this particular mission is expected to be. It's one piece of something larger that isn't fully explained.
Mark
What about the bilateral meetings with the mayors? How does that fit?
Mimi
City-to-city diplomacy. They'll talk about housing and transportation solutions—shared problems. It builds relationships that can support future business partnerships.
The Pulse
- U.S. tariff pressures under the Trump administration have pushed Toronto to urgently seek economic footholds beyond its southern neighbour.
- A delegation of film and TV industry representatives is crossing the Atlantic, carrying the weight of an entire production sector's hopes for new markets.
- Meetings in Dublin with Enterprise Ireland and the Ireland-Canada Business Association could unlock pathways into EU research funding and AI collaboration through Horizon Europe and CeADAR.
- In London, a UK-Canada Chamber of Commerce roundtable and a bilateral sit-down with Mayor Sadiq Khan signal Toronto's intent to be taken seriously as a global investment destination.
- City-to-city conversations on housing and transportation add a layer of civic diplomacy, broadening the mission beyond commerce into shared urban problem-solving.
- Whether the handshakes become signed agreements will only be known after Chow returns — but the direction of travel is clear.
In a moment when familiar trade routes feel less certain, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is traveling to Dublin and London to cultivate new economic ground. From July 6 to 12, she leads a delegation of film and television industry representatives, seeking co-production treaties and foreign investment that might anchor the city's creative economy against the turbulence of shifting continental politics. The mission is both practical and symbolic — a city reaching across the Atlantic to remind itself, and the world, that partnership is still possible.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is leading a film and television industry delegation to Dublin and London from July 6 to 12, framing the trip as a necessary response to what she calls a moment of historic uncertainty. With U.S. tariff policies reshaping North American trade, the city is looking to the UK and Ireland as partners for economic diversification and foreign direct investment.
In Dublin, the agenda includes meetings with the Ireland-Canada Business Association and Enterprise Ireland, as well as exploratory talks around Horizon Europe and CeADAR — openings that could connect Toronto companies to EU-backed research and artificial intelligence funding. The London leg features a roundtable with the UK-Canada Chamber of Commerce and bilateral meetings with both Dublin Lord Mayor Ray McAdam and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan.
The film and screen sector is a deliberate focus: Toronto's production base is substantial, and expanding co-production treaties with countries that have mature media industries could generate meaningful work for local crews, facilities, and post-production houses. The mission also carves out space for city-to-city exchange on housing and transportation — challenges that bind mayors across continents.
The trip is one piece of Chow's broader economic action plan, built to insulate Toronto from tariff-driven disruption by deepening ties with established international partners. Whether the conversations yield concrete agreements will become clear in the weeks following her return.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is heading to the United Kingdom and Ireland next week with a delegation of film and television industry representatives, betting that the city's screen production sector can become a stronger economic engine in an uncertain global moment.
The trade mission runs from July 6 to 12, with stops in Dublin and London. Chow will meet with production companies, broadcasters, and government officials in both cities, with the explicit goal of expanding co-production treaties between Canada and the two countries. The mayor framed the trip as a response to what she called a time of historic uncertainty, arguing that reliable trade partnerships have become essential. "This trade mission is about supporting more economic opportunities for Toronto workers and businesses, including export diversification and foreign direct investment attraction," she said in a statement released Saturday.
In Dublin, the itinerary includes meetings with the Ireland-Canada Business Association and executives from Enterprise Ireland. The city is also exploring potential funding partnerships through Horizon Europe, the European Union's research and innovation program, and CeADAR, Ireland's Centre for Artificial Intelligence. These conversations are designed to open pathways for joint investment and collaborative projects that could benefit Toronto-based companies and workers.
The London leg of the mission will feature a roundtable with the UK-Canada Chamber of Commerce focused on trade opportunities specific to Toronto. Chow will also hold bilateral meetings with Dublin Lord Mayor Ray McAdam and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan. Beyond the film industry focus, the city said the mission will create space for city-to-city knowledge exchange on shared urban challenges—specifically housing and transportation, two issues that preoccupy mayors across North America and Europe alike.
The timing of the mission reflects Toronto's broader economic strategy. The trade mission is part of Mayor Chow's economic action plan, which was developed in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies. By diversifying export markets and attracting foreign direct investment from established partners like the UK and Ireland, Toronto is attempting to insulate its economy from tariff-driven disruption. The film and screen industry is a natural focus: Toronto has a substantial production base, and the sector generates significant employment and tax revenue. Expanding co-production opportunities with countries that have their own robust media industries could create more work for local crews, facilities, and post-production companies.
The mission represents a deliberate effort to position Toronto as an attractive destination for international production investment at a moment when economic headwinds are real. Whether the meetings yield concrete co-production agreements or funding commitments will become clear in the weeks and months following Chow's return.
Notable Quotes
At a time of historic uncertainty, reliable trade partners have never been more important. This trade mission is about supporting more economic opportunities for Toronto workers and businesses, including export diversification and foreign direct investment attraction.— Mayor Olivia Chow
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Economy & Finance