PERSONAL CHOICE NEWSLETTER – NOVEMBER 2026

TD: How Much Can Europe Help Canada Diversify Its Trade?

In terms of building trade and financial ties with the EU, Canada starts from a modest position. Despite a stronger investment relationship, Canada currently supplies only around 1% of EU goods and services imports. Although the benefits of the CETA free trade agreement between Canada and the EU have (gradually) emerged, regulatory barriers, geography and established commercial relationships with other trading partners continue to limit progress.

These barriers notwithstanding, Canada is well positioned to increase its market share in the EU. The October 29–30 Canada–EU summit in Montreal is an opportunity to build momentum and advance cooperation in priority sectors. European demand increasingly overlaps with Canadian capabilities and the two sides’ strategic interest in diversifying economic ties.

The upside for Canadian exports is meaningful. Product-level analysis suggests demand for nearly C$60 billion in additional goods exports could exist, under certain conditions, including roughly C$50 billion in energy. The strong gains in services exports since CETA provide a precedent for renewed growth as both economies work towards closer integration. Notably, certain services (like financial services) don’t have the same scale of geographic barriers faced by goods industries.

The largest long-term opportunities span defence, energy, critical minerals, digital markets, as well as financial and other professional services. The biggest gains will need to be unlocked through expanded infrastructure and deeper cooperation to expand investment, improve market access, and build new supply chains in critical areas.

Source: economics.td.com/ca-canada-eu-trade

Zoom in on saturated fat, sugars and sodium in packaged foods

(NC) When you’re buying food, it can be tough to know what to look out for. But there are three nutrients to pay close attention to: saturated fat, sugars and sodium are nutrients of public health concern when consumed in excess.Saturated fats. These are types of fat that are generally solid at room temperature. Consuming too much saturated fat increases the risk of heart disease. Frozen dinners, appetizers, baked goods, snacks and desserts are often high in saturated fat.Sugars. They can occur naturally or be added to food. Excess consumption of added sugars and sugary drinks is associated with increased risk of cavities, weight gain, obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Sugary drinks, breakfast cereals, baked goods, snacks and desserts are often high in sugars.Sodium. Sodium is a component of salt, which we add during cooking or at the table to season our foods. However, most of the sodium we consume comes from processed foods, like bread, frozen entrées, soups and processed meats. Too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.Many packaged foods contain more saturated fat, sugars or sodium than you think. This is why it’s important to read food labels.What can food labels tell you about these nutrients? Most packaged foods in Canada have three labelling tools to help you identify what’s in your food and make more informed decisions:The new nutrition symbol with the magnifying glass. Located on the front of packages, this symbol shows if food is high in one or more of saturated fat, sugars, sodium or any combination of these nutrients.The nutrition facts table. Located on the back or side of packages, it shows key nutrients, including saturated fat, sodium and sugars, and how much of each the stated serving of the food contains. The nutrient amounts are shown in grams or milligrams, as well as in per cent daily values. Five per cent or less is a little, 15 per cent or more is a lot.The list of ingredients. Located on the back or side of packages, it tells you what the food is made of, in decreasing order by weight of the ingredient. The added sugars in a food are grouped together after the word “Sugars.” This grouping helps you see if sugars were added and what their source is.These labelling tools give you important information on saturated fats, sugars and sodium content of your foods. This way, you can easily compare foods to help you make more informed decisions about what you buy and eat. Learn more about nutritional information at canada.ca/nutrition-labelling.www.newscanada.com

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