Last year, Denise Dumont interviewed Louis Olivier Guay (LOG), president of the Canada-Florida Chamber of Commerce (CCFC), about the imposition of tariffs that had created growing tension in the business community and among the general public, and what this meant specifically for Canadian companies already established in Florida or in the process of setting up operations there. One year after that interview, given the current geopolitical context, Le Soleil de la Floride (LSDLF) asked Mr. Guay to provide an update on the situation.
LSDLF: How would you describe the evolution of the U.S. economic climate for Canadian companies in Florida in the current context? Have political and economic uncertainties stabilized, worsened, or changed?
LOG: “I would say they have stabilized. I believe that Canadian companies that are truly interested in setting up shop in Florida continue to do so. With nearly two years under the Trump administration now behind us, I think businesspeople know what’s in place, and that doesn’t necessarily hinder the success of their projects in Florida, where the economic climate continues to be very good—even growing—and remains an attraction for them.”
The CCCF president also notes that in 2025–2026, a significant number of Canadians visited Florida despite the geopolitical context that had caused a decline, and that concerns regarding customs—specifically the new form and protocols put in place—have subsided. In his view, tourism and business go hand in hand, and while the market for Canadian companies in Florida is not experiencing rapid growth but rather moderate growth, Canadian companies planning to expand in the Sunshine State are doing so despite current policies.
LSDLF: Which sectors seem to be the most dynamic right now?
LOG: “New financial or technology companies are setting up shop every week in Miami and Palm Beach. In recent years, and especially recently with the arrival of major tech companies or their CEOs in Florida (e.g., Palantir, Jeff Bezos, etc.), the Sunshine State is increasingly associated with the fields of technology and artificial intelligence.” Florida isn’t just about hospitality or tourism; it’s also a magnet for tech companies, including Canadian ones, particularly in the three counties in the southeastern part of the state: Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Broward. “Florida is a state where it’s easy to start a business, and from a tax perspective, it continues to be attractive to entrepreneurs,” adds Mr. Guay.
LSDLF: In 2025–2026, what changes were made to your operations at the CCCF?
LOG: “We made a change to our operational model to adapt to the new reality. It had become difficult to operate under a membership model. We shifted to an event-based format with a broader reach, meaning that events are not reserved solely for members.
Everyone is invited, and we’re offering more events with content for our network to expand our networking base, reach new people with new expertise, and provide services within the now more open network, offering high-quality events like the one we organized at the Tower Club in Fort Lauderdale and others in Naples.”
The CCCF continues to receive financial support from major business partners to keep operating and organizing its events.
To find out about upcoming events: www.cfccflorida.com
