Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness to promote trade and NAFTA in Kentucky

January 3, 2018 - Lexington Kentucky - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, will visit Kentucky on January 4 and 5, 2018, where he will participate in activities focusing on Canada-U.S. trade and business.

Minister Goodale will attend the 23rd Annual 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. During his visit, Minister Goodale will also meet with Matt Bevin, Governor of Kentucky, Terry Gill, Economic Development Cabinet Secretary, John Tilley, Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary, Ryan Quarles, Commissioner of Agriculture, and Kelly Craft, United States Ambassador to Canada.

“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 Douglas George, Consul General of Canada in Detroit also responsible for the State of Kentucky. “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% 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, or nearly US$30 million per day, amounting to a US$4-billion trade surplus for Kentucky. Canada-U.S. trade and investment supports about 112,600 jobs in the “Bluegrass State”.

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 Services Agency and Correctional Service Canada.

Minister Goodale will be available to media at the Annual Kentucky Chamber Day in Lexington. Should you require additional information about this event please refer to the contact section below.