Minister Chagger concludes successful visit to the United States

Visit reinforced the strength of the Canada?U.S. economic partnership

CHICAGO, May 23, 2017 /CNW/ - Canada and the United States enjoy the longest and most peaceful and mutually beneficial relationship of any two countries on the planet. Our integrated economies support good, middle-class jobs on both sides of the border. This was the message delivered by the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism, as she concluded a two-day visit to Toledo, Ohio, and Chicago, Illinois.

Minister Chagger began in Toledo, where she participated at a roundtable discussion on Canada?Ohio trade at the Port of Toledo. She later delivered remarks on the importance of the Canada?U.S. trade relationship and participated in a panel discussion organized by the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments and the Toledo Regional Growth Partnership.

Minister Chagger also met with Toledo Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. During these meetings, the Minister emphasized the strength of the trade relationship between Ohio and Canada. The Minister concluded her visit to Toledo with a tour of NatureFresh Farms, a Canadian company based in Leamington, Ontario, that is currently building a 175-acre greenhouse complex in Ohio.

Minister Chagger then travelled to Chicago, Illinois, where she met with state and local officials as well as with Canadian and U.S. innovators.

Minister Chagger met with Illinois Deputy Governor Leslie Munger, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and senior staff of U.S. Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin.

She also toured and participated in a roundtable at MATTER Chicago?a not-for-profit healthcare incubator?where she spoke about small businesses as the drivers of innovation and was joined by Alberta Minister of Economic Development and Trade Deron Bilous.

While in Chicago, the Minister also participated in interviews on "Worldview," a radio show on WBEZ, the local National Public Radio affiliate, and on the "Roe Conn Show," a talk show on WGN Radio Chicago.

Quote

"It has been a pleasure visiting Toledo and Chicago and meeting with local partners about the importance of the Canada?U.S. relationship. Trade between our two countries is balanced, fair and mutually beneficial. These strong ties are reflected in how closely our economies work together to better compete with the rest of the world. We look forward to working closely with our American friends to find solutions that create jobs and growth in both countries?providing more opportunities for our middle class and those working hard to join it."
? The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism

Quick facts

• Canada buys more from the U.S. than any other country. Nearly 9 million jobs in the United States directly depend on trade and investment between our two countries.
• 13 U.S. states border Canada, and seven Canadian provinces and one territory border the U.S. We share the world's longest international border.
• The North American free trade zone is the biggest economic region in the world, comprising a US$19-trillion regional market of some 470 million consumers and a combined economic output accounting for more than a quarter of the world's GDP.
• The United States is the most important export destination for Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SME); of the 11.8% of Canadian SMEs that engage in export, approximately 90% export to the U.S.
• In 2015, approximately US$2 billion in goods and services crossed our shared border each day.
• For every dollar's worth of goods that the United States imports from Canada, approximately 25 cents comprises U.S. inputs. When Americans buy Canadian products, they're buying American.

Follow Minister Chagger on social media.
Twitter: @MinofSBT
Instagram: minofsbt

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada