At the North to North Symposium convened in Ottawa in December 2001, an important initiative to share Canadian best practices in northern governance, economic development, business and aboriginal issues was launched by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) and the Administration of the Siberian Federal District (SFD). Since its inception, activities under the SFD Action Plan have targeted the promotion of northern centred partnerships.

In January 2004, a 7 member delegation visited Canada within the context of three key activities conducted under SFD Action Plan - Sustainable Tourism in the Regions of Lake Baikal, Business Development under the Northern Chambers of Commerce Partnership Project and Monitoring and Assessment System for Socio-economic, Environmental, Cultural Situation in the Siberian Federal District.

The delegation visited Ottawa, Calgary/Banff and Whitehorse/Kluane Lake. Two business members of the delegation also attended the international Financial Forum in Toronto, as well as met with members of the Canada Russia Business Forum (CRBF) to discuss business proposals.