Business connections growing strong! Estonian Canadian Business Chamber
- ellenvalter
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Update #267
ECBC Toronto event engaged trade diplomats, international lawyer delegations!
The hall was crackling with enthusiasm and new connections at the second Estonian Canadian Business Chamber (ECBC) gathering in Toronto on November 6. Nearly 70 ECBC members and guests came together to foster business opportunities.
Businesspeople and business service providers gathered at Tartu College, and, with the International Bar Association annual conference taking place in Toronto at the same time, were joined by lawyers with international practice areas both locally and from overseas. Video overview of the evening:
The event was generously sponsored by Toronto-based Sotos LLP, Northern Birch Credit Union, and Tartu College.
“This is truly a celebration of the ties we have with the Baltic countries,” Peter Viitre, partner with sponsor Sotos LLP, said during the opening remarks. “And building a centre like KESKUS is a testament to that relationship.”
ECBC President: Ellen Valter, evening Sponsor: Sotos LLP partner Peter Viitre
The goal of ECBC is to connect businesspeople with Estonian interests here in Canada, but also to build a locus of expertise and connectivity between Estonia and Canada. Much of the business activity in the Baltic region encompasses these countries, including at Sorainen, an international business law firm with 300 lawyers that has been in business for 30 years.
Aku Sorainen, founder of the firm was interviewed fireside chat style by Toronto lawyer and Estonian Arts Centre board chair Liisa Käärid. Aku noted that trade levels between Canada and the Baltics until recently, were at a relatively low level trade, but that this is increasing, and sharply so in just the past year.
“Global competition for international investment is strong and Estonia is learning how to be attractive to these markets,” noted Aku, adding, “Estonians have a strong foothold in Toronto and there’s no better evidence of that than the impressive KESKUS building,” Aku expects that this will only be helpful in fostering business interaction.
Liisa added that Canada and Estonia have a common, valuable bond. “We both have a strong commitment to Rule of Law and the stability that goes with it - creating solid foundation for businesses and trade,” she said.
Aku Sorainen and Liisa Kaarid
Also speaking at the event were Liina Tomlinson, Trade and Economic Affairs Counsellor for the Embassy of Estonia and Julia Peho, First Secretary, Trade and Domestic Politics for the Embassy of Finland, both from Ottawa. The fireside chat continued with these two representatives, this time with ECBC President and KESKUS project lead Ellen Valter.
From left: Liina Tomlinson, Julia Peho, Ellen Valter
“Our vision is to trading partners and increase trade between our two countries,” said Liina, who is the first Estonian trade diplomat to be posted to Ottawa. “Canada is a priority for us, and we feel the future of our economies is based on ‘smart’ business.”
She added that Estonia and Canada have a natural affinity and interaction, and her role is to help businesses. She analogized with mountaineering, that her role is to be the sherpa, helping with the journey, but the business initiative has to climb to the summit on its own legs.
Julia, a newly arrived diplomat in Ottawa, explained that her team collaborates closely with Business Finland, the national trade and innovation agency that promotes exports and helps Finnish companies enter the Canadian market. She emphasized that “embassies act as a bridge between governments and businesses, which is often essential here in Canada.” Julia added, “Canada has been designated as a priority country for Finland’s trade promotion and country branding efforts, which is excellent news for us.”
All photos by Hedy Läets and Nick Morsillo, of www.ruudiproductions.com
“The connections we make here are stronger than just Estonian connections.” said Ellen Valter. “ECBC has the potential to foster both individual and community gain.”
Estonian House President Veiko Parming echoes the potential positive outcomes.
“The strong turnout at this second Toronto event evidences that ECBC is a much needed addition,” he commented. “We have a longstanding base of cultural events in Toronto and there is more than enough room for strong business connections as well.”
Clockwise: Ilze Lacgalve from the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (centre); Mallika Guhman, Canada Lithuania Chamber of Commerce, Skaidra Puodziunas, Canadian Council of Innovators, Liina Tomlinson; Stephen Klus, Polish Chamber of Commerce, Ellen Valter, Mallika Guhman, Yuri Grytsevytch, Canada Lithuania Chamber of Commerce; Mikael Silegren, Canadian Finnish Chamber of Commerce.
Estonian Canadian Business Chamber has grown out of the KESKUS International Estonian Centre project, the launch of the ECBC membership drive was held in spring 2025 in Toronto, and the reach extended westward in the fall 2025 with the first such event in Vancouver.
It looks like the future is bright for business to flow between Canada and Estonia. If furthering business interests – yours, Canada’s, Estonia’s – speaks to you, join ECBC!
To find out more, including how to join this growing organization, go to: https://www.estonianchamber.ca/.
Go to estonianchamber.ca to learn more and if furthering business interests speaks to you, add yourself to the ECBC mailing list on the homepage!
Discover the benefits of giving wisely, to a project that will support Estonian activity across North America, and beyond!
Please join the growing list of KESKUS capital campaign donors to help bring this extraordinary project to completion. KESKUS leadership donors are recognized here.
There are many ways to make a contribution to KESKUS.
To donate, click here, or call +1.647.250.7136 or email donations@estoniancentre.ca. Donations may be made as a family gift, or in honour of an individual or family. All donations are issued a tax receipt, in Canada via Estonian Arts Centre, US tax receipts via Myriad USA and Estonian tax receipts via Eesti Rahvuskultuuri Fond. Donations; by credit card may be made here.
Legacy gifts made to the Estonian Arts Centre, the charity associated with KESKUS, are creative and tax-effective ways to provide support. These are known as “planned gifts” because with thoughtful planning, we create a win-win situation that benefits both you and our community for generations to come. Find out how to provide a bequest in your will by going to www.estoniancentre.ca/bequest.
For information on making other types of planned giving, including gifts of appreciated securities or insurance policies, or if you have any other questions, please contact EAC Donations Manager Taimi Hooper via email at donations@estoniancentre.ca or phone +1.647.250.7136.
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