November 15, 2004 No. 130 International Trade Minister Jim Peterson officially opened the Canadian Consulate General in Miami today. The mission has been upgraded from a consulate as part of the Government of Canada’s Enhanced Representation Initiative (ERI). This step reflects the importance of the Florida market for Canada. “Canada and Florida have an impressive story to tell,” said Minister Peterson. “Our enhanced representation through this consulate general will allow us to deepen our already close personal and business relationship.” The new mission will offer a full range of services, including expanded assistance in the areas of international business development, trade, investment and technology, among others. In an address to the Canada-Florida business community, Peterson said that protectionism is a problem that affects all of North America. He cited softwood lumber, BSE, wheat and swine as examples, and took the opportunity to invite parliamentary colleagues to take part in trade advocacy days. “Ninety-six percent of trade with our southern neighbour is dispute free,” added the Minister. “We need to get as close to 100 percent as we can. We do this through continued dialogue, and I invite my parliamentary counterparts to come along.” While in Miami, the Minister also announced the results of a 2004 study entitled The Canada-Florida Economic Relationship, which shows that Canada is Florida’s number-one overall economic partner, number-one source of foreign tourism and number-one source of foreign direct investment. This report will be used as an advocacy tool to explain to Floridians how important Canada is to their economy. The report was conducted by InfoAmericas, a regional market intelligence and consultancy firm. A copy of the study is available at http://www.miami.gc.ca. - 30 - Highlights of the study and a backgrounder on the ERI are attached. For further information, media representatives may contact: Jacqueline LaRocque Director of Communications Office of the Minister of International Trade (613) 992-7332 Media Relations Office Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada (613) 995-1874 http://www.international.gc.ca Backgrounder HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CANADA-FLORIDA ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP • Canada is Florida’s • number-one overall economic partner • number-one source of inbound tourism • number-one source of foreign direct investment • Florida’s overall economic relationship with Canada results in many thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the Sunshine State. • If indirect exports via other states were included in trade rankings, Canada would likely surpass Brazil as the top destination of Florida exports. • Canada and Florida enjoy a complementary trade relationship, evidenced in particular by the agricultural industry, resulting in trade harmony. • Canada’s readiness to foster trade with the southern hemisphere via south Florida as its hub further solidifies Florida’s export gateway position. • Canadian tourists top the list as Florida’s most important tourism market, accounting for approximately 30 percent of all international person visits in 2003. It is expected that close to two million Canadians will visit Florida in 2004. • Canada is Florida’s largest foreign investor, with Canadian majority-owned affiliates holding close to $7.4 billion in assets in 2002—more than 16 percent of all foreign investment in Florida. Backgrounder THE ENHANCED REPRESENTATION INITIATIVE Introduced in September 2003, the Enhanced Representation Initiative (ERI) is a partnership of federal departments and agencies. They are working together to strategically advance Canada-U.S. relations in order to better promote and defend Canadian political and trade interests in our largest trade market. We are strengthening our presence, particularly in new centres of growing geographic, political and economic importance. In addition to upgrading the Miami Consulate to the level of Consulate General, the Government of Canada has created a Canadian Consulate General in Denver. Throughout the year, new Canadian consulates were also established in Anchorage, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia and San Diego. Minister Peterson presided over the official opening of Raleigh-Durham’s new consulate in January of this year. The Canadian Consulate in San Francisco will be upgraded in 2005. By the end of 2005, 20 new honorary consuls will have been appointed in cities where Canada currently has no representation. To date, eight of these honorary consuls have been appointed through orders in council to serve us in Portland (Maine), Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Memphis, Omaha, Cleveland, Portland (Oregon) and Richmond. ERI partners include International Trade Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Foreign Affairs Canada, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Industry Canada, the National Research Council and Western Economic Diversification Canada.
