Minister Chagger concludes successful two-day trip to Boston

Meetings focused on bilateral trade and investment, NAFTA and clean technology

BOSTON, Nov. 9, 2017 /CNW/ - The United States has no better friend, ally or partner than Canada. And we are stronger when we work together. 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 her trip to Boston, Massachusetts.

Minister Chagger was in Boston to deliver a keynote address at the 25th annual New England?Canada Business Council Energy Trade & Technology Conference. During her remarks, the Minister emphasized the government's commitment to fighting climate change and underscored the importance of expanding the Canada?New England energy relationship through the adoption of new, innovative clean technologies.

Prior to her keynote address, Minister Chagger joined representatives of Greentown Labs, one of the largest clean tech incubators in the United States, and Toronto-based MaRS, the world's largest urban innovation hub, to announce a memorandum of understanding. This agreement will help innovative startups, investors and partners find opportunities in both countries.

The Minister also toured the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, the world's largest conference and expo dedicated to green building, where she met with a group of 75 Canadian exhibitors and emphasized the government's strong support for clean technologies.

Throughout her visit, Minister Chagger met with state and local officials, trade organizations, and Canadian and U.S. innovators, including during a round table with women entrepreneurs. During these meetings, the Minister emphasized the strength of the trade relationship between New England and Canada.

While in Boston, the Minister also participated in interviews with New England Business on the New England Cable News network and the Baystate Business Hour on Bloomberg Radio.

Quote

"The partnership between Canada and the United States has long been a model for the world. Our two countries are bound by a common language, a shared history, and an integrated economy that has brought unprecedented prosperity to both of our countries. As we look to the future, it is important that we continue to work together to support growth and innovation?especially in the area of clean technology, which will be critical in the fight against climate change. I want to thank the people of Boston and Massachusetts for the warm welcome they showed me. We have much to be proud of, and as we continue our work together, I am certain there will be many great opportunities for our businesses to better collaborate, driving growth and creating well-paying middle-class jobs on both sides of the border."

? 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.

• The United States is the most important export destination for Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises; of those Canadian SMEs that export, approximately 90% export to the U.S.
• Canada?U.S. trade and investments are responsible for more than 200,000 jobs in Massachusetts.
• The total trade in goods between Canada and Massachusetts is worth $10.3 billion annually.
• Clean technology innovation is a core component of the Government of Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan. In its most recent federal budget, the government has made available more than $2.3 billion to support clean technology.

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

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada