In the Senate, Gerba asks whether Canada will reopen free trade talks with Morocco

During Senate Question Period on June 3, 2026, Senator Amina Gerba asked Government Representative Pierre Moreau whether the government is considering resuming free trade negotiations with Morocco. She noted that Canada and Morocco held unsuccessful negotiations between 2011 and 2013, and that Canada had recently shifted its diplomatic approach on Western Sahara.

The government’s answer

Senator Moreau described strong bilateral relations in trade, culture, women’s rights and counter-terrorism, and said that in 2024 Morocco was Canada’s third-largest bilateral merchandise trading partner in Africa, with trade of $1.8 billion. He did not announce new negotiations.

She then asked about the purpose of Minister Anita Anand’s announced official visit to Morocco and who would be in the delegation. Senator Moreau said he could not confirm the delegation, but described the visit as a very positive sign for relations between the two countries.

The trade picture

The question fits a consistent thread in Senator Gerba’s work. The ESG UQAM study prepared for her office puts Canadian exports to Morocco at $900.9 million in 2025 — the largest of the five markets it examined, led by agri-food — and describes Morocco as the most structured and accessible entry point. The Senate foreign affairs committee has also noted that Canada has no free trade agreement with any African country.

Why it matters for the CACT community

A trade agreement would lower tariffs and add predictable rules, but it would also send a signal to the market. For businesses already working between Canada and Morocco, it is worth following the outcome of the minister’s visit and any consultation on resuming talks — that is the moment to document the barriers members actually face.