Export Development Canada

EDC is a Crown corporation wholly owned by the Government of Canada and reports to Parliament through the Minister of International Trade. A Board of Directors appointed by the government oversees the corporation, and Mairead Lavery serves as President and CEO. EDC operates at arm's length from government on day-to-day lending and investment decisions.

EDC's mandate is to complement — not displace — commercial bank lending. It steps in when Canadian banks cannot or will not provide credit, often because of buyer-country risk, working-capital constraints, or the scale of the transaction. EDC frequently co-lends with commercial banks and participates in syndicated facilities alongside Canadian and international financial institutions.

Yes. EDC makes direct minority equity investments in Canadian companies, typically to support international growth. Sectors include technology, clean energy, natural resources, and advanced manufacturing. The equity portfolio is not publicly listed in full, but positions are taken selectively alongside other institutional investors.

FinDev Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of EDC, established in 2018 as Canada's official Development Finance Institution. It provides loans, equity, and guarantees in emerging and frontier markets with a focus on gender equality, climate action, and market development. The DFI operates under a separate investment policy and management structure but draws on EDC's back-office infrastructure.

EDC sits on the steering committee of the Equator Principles Association and chairs the Climate Working Group of the Berne Union. In 2023, it launched a sustainable and transition finance facility, signaling an increased focus on climate-aligned lending. The corporation also publishes an annual sustainability report aligned with TCFD recommendations.

Yes. EDC runs a Community Investment Program and a Youth Education Program, both funded from corporate revenues. These programs are separate from the corporation's core trade-finance mandate and do not influence credit or investment decisions.

EDC is self-funding. It generates revenue from interest on loans, insurance premiums, and investment income. The corporation issues debt in domestic and international capital markets under its own name, supported by the full faith and credit of the Government of Canada. It does not receive annual parliamentary appropriations for its ongoing operations.