The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada was founded in 1964 by a group of Quebec business people eager to increase trade activities with Italy. Two of the co-founders comprised John Archer, then Vice President of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, and Luigi Liberatore, former President of the Montreal Board of Commerce and one of the original advocates for the fusion of the ICCC with the Montreal Board of Commerce.

The ICCC in Montreal was one of the founding members of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada, Vancouver whose mandate, drafted by the Government of Canada in 1988, was to recruit partners as part of Team Canada’s trade mission in Italy. Over the years, several agreements have been signed between the ICCC and Italian international trade development companies such as Promos, Promec, Centro Estero Veneto and the Chamber of Commerce, Siena. In 1990, the Chamber was named the official Canadian representative for Fiera Milano, one of the largest trade shows in the world.

Since 1987, the ICCC has formed part of the Association of Italian Chambers of Commerce Abroad— Assocamerestero —which comprises 70 Chambers spread over 48 countries with 140 offices and 23,000 member businesses. The Government of Italy lends support to Assocamerestero in accordance with the 1970 legislation. Assocamerestero`s objective is to promote trade exchanges between Italy and the rest of the world by encouraging business relations between various economic players—institutions, organizations and companies. With the advantage of having a solid global network, Assocamerestero can penetrate virtually any market worldwide owing to the cooperation of members who provide resources and access to respective networks. Therefore, as a member of Assocamerestero, ICCC is able to help clients reach new markets outside Italy, Quebec and Canada.

The Chamber works closely with Italian, Canadian and Quebec embassies, consulates and official delegations.