Canada's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to make official visit to Kentucky, Thursday-Friday, January 4-5, 2018

DETROIT and LEXINGTON, Ky., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Consulate General of Canada in Detroit is pleased to announce the visit of the Honorable Ralph Goodale, Canada's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, to Kentucky January 4-5, 2018. The Minister will attend The Kentucky Chamber Day, hosted by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, in Heritage Hall at the Lexington Convention Center in Lexington. The occasion represents the state's largest gathering of elected officials and business executives.

"Canada and the United States share one of the closest and most prosperous bilateral relationships in the world," said Minister Goodale. "I look forward to being in Kentucky, meeting with political and business leaders and discussing the ways we can enhance the trade and economic ties that strengthen the dynamic relationship between our two countries."

"I am delighted to welcome Minister Goodale here in Kentucky," said Canada's Consul General to Kentucky, Douglas George. "Minister Goodale's experience in Agriculture, Finance, Natural Resources, Public Safety and Border Security makes him a perfect person to speak about the many ties that bind Canada and the State of Kentucky."

Canada is Kentucky's largest export market, with nearly 26% percent of Kentucky's foreign-bound goods sold to Canada - more than the state's next two largest markets combined. Annual trade between Kentucky and Canada totals US$10.9 billion per year, or nearly $30 million per day, and 112,600 jobs in the Bluegrass State are supported by Canada-U.S. trade and investment.

As Minister of the largest non-military department in Canada, Mr. Goodale's portfolio includes the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Canada Border Service Agency and Correctional Services Canada. He has previously served as Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Minister of Natural Resources, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, and Minister of Finance.

Minister Goodale will be available to media at the Chamber event beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 4.

WHO:           The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Canada's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

WHAT:         "23^rd Annual Kentucky Chamber Day"

WHEN:         Thursday, January 4, 2018, 5:30 p.m.

WHERE:       Heritage Hall, The Lexington Convention Center, Lexington, Kentucky

OPEN TO MEDIA ? Credentials required.

Located in Detroit, Canada's Consulate General works to promote trade and investment links, to engage citizens and decision-makers on matters of shared interest, and to assist Canadians living and traveling in the US. More information is available at www.detroit.gc.ca, on FaceBook @CanadainDetroit and on Twitter @CanCGDetroit 

SOURCE Consulate General of Canada in Detroit