Canadian firms eye new opportunities under 15th Five-Year Plan

China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) is prompting renewed interest among Canadian businesses as companies reassess opportunities in sectors including energy, agriculture and advanced technology, speakers at a Toronto business forum said.

The event, hosted by the Canada China Business Council on Wednesday, brought together business leaders and officials to discuss how China's development blueprint could transform commercial engagement between the two countries.

"We are entering a new phase after several years of uncertainty," said Bijan Ahmadi, executive director and chief operating officer of CCBC.

"Companies are once again exploring opportunities and looking more seriously at where engagement, market demand and policy priorities are beginning to align," he said.

Ahmadi said the relationship between Ottawa and Beijing has "shifted" since Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney formed government last year.

"Canada has re-engaged with China and started the process of recalibrating bilateral ties toward a more pragmatic and constructive relationship.

"This engagement has already contributed to stronger trade performance and renewed business confidence," he said.

Luo Weidong, Chinese consul general in Toronto, described the new five-year plan as "a treasure trove of development opportunities in China".

"The plan is not only a growing blueprint for China's economic and social development over the next five years, but also a guiding document that clarifies national strategy, identifies government priority, and guides and regulates the behavior of market entities," Luo said.

Both Luo and Ahmadi said China and Canada remain economically complementary, with businesses in both countries continuing to seek new areas of cooperation.

"Complexity is not a reason to disengage. It is a reason to be more precise," Ahmadi said.

He said Canadian companies need to understand "where opportunities are real, where constraints remain, and where commercial strategies can align with policy priorities and market demand".

According to Ahmadi, three themes in the 15th Five-Year Plan are especially relevant for Canadian businesses: high-quality growth, food and energy security, and stronger domestic consumption.

"These priorities translate into real opportunities," he said. "They reinforce the value of quality, reliability, safety and technical expertise, and the trustworthiness associated with Brand Canada in the Chinese market."

Luo also highlighted energy cooperation as a major area for future growth.

"Against the backdrop of the Iran crisis, there is both necessity and urgency to deepen cooperation in this field," Luo said.

He said China's next development phase would prioritize "the clean and efficient utilization of fossil fuels" while accelerating development of solar, wind, hydrogen and nuclear power.

Ahmadi noted that Canada's expanding export infrastructure could support deeper engagement with Asian markets, including China.

"Developments such as the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, LNG Canada and several ongoing and upcoming energy projects are enabling increased flows of crude oil, LNG and LPG to Asia, with China among the leading Asian destinations for Canadian energy products," he said.

He added that China's decarbonization goals are also creating opportunities for Canadian companies specializing in carbon capture, methane reduction and environmental services.

Agriculture and food security emerged as another major focus.

"Canada's high-quality agricultural products, meats and seafood will enjoy expanded market opportunities," Luo said.

Ahmadi said Chinese demand is increasingly shifting toward "premium, safe, traceable and reliable food products".

"For Canadian producers, this means opportunities to re-establish and expand market access in areas such as canola, seafood, beef, pork, pulses, grains and other high-quality food products," he said.

Beyond commodities, he said Canadian firms could also compete through "traceability systems, product customization, nutrition and wellness food products".

The speakers also pointed to growing opportunities tied to changes in China's demographic structure and the expansion of its middle class.

Luo said sectors including eldercare, childcare, tourism and cultural consumption could become "new blue oceans" for Canadian investment.

Ahmadi similarly said demand in China is increasingly shifting toward "trusted and premium products and services".

"China's aging population is also creating new needs in healthcare services, rehabilitation, elder care, insurance, wealth management and pension-related services," he said.

On advanced manufacturing and emerging industries, Luo said sectors such as quantum technology, aerospace, hydrogen energy and sixth-generation mobile communications could become major new growth drivers.