Minister Joly to Promote Canada-U.S. Ties, Trade in Boston and Manchester

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, will visit Boston and Manchester to establish and strengthen relationships with influencers on key bilateral objectives

OTTAWA, Jan. 14, 2018 /CNW/ - No two countries in the world share a stronger or more integrated economic relationship than the United States and Canada. The Government of Canada is working closely with the United States to strengthen our trade relationship and create new opportunities for workers, businesses and middle-class families on both sides of the border.

As part of these efforts, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, will visit Boston, Massachusetts, and Manchester, New Hampshire, for a two-day visit. During this visit she will help establish and reinforce relationships with State and Congressional leadership, business stakeholders and other influencers.

These long-term goals include the importance of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) as an engine of growth and prosperity; the reaffirmation of collaboration and shared values between the two countries; the importance of clean energy development and its impact on the environment; and the challenges and opportunities brought on by the explosion of technology for creative industries.

Minister Joly will also be the keynote speaker at the 16^th edition of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Dinner Celebration, an event organized by the National Cultural Diversity Awareness Council (NCDAC). Minister Joly will address this year's theme "Like a good neighbor, Canada has always been there" by showcasing the unique relationship between Canada and the United States.

In addition, Minister Joly will touch upon Canada's linguistic duality, the valued diversity in its political and social landscape and Creative Canada, the first-ever federal strategy developed to help Canadian creative industries thrive and succeed in the digital age.

Quotes

"Canada and the United States not only share a border, but also the goal of enhancing shared prosperity, job creation, sustainable economic development and vibrant cultural exchanges. The long-standing friendship between our two countries is a strong foundation to make progress in all of these areas, and I look forward to furthering the conversation toward positive change."

—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

"Canada and the United States enjoy one of the closest relationships of any two countries in the world. We are friends, we are allies and we are partners. For 24 years, NAFTA has created opportunities, jobs and a better life for our people. This is why from day one of the negotiations, Canada has brought concrete proposals on how we can modernize NAFTA to the benefit of Canadian, American and Mexican citizens. We are focused on achieving real progress, including in Montréal‎ this month."

—The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick Facts

Canada and the United States share the longest secure border in the world. Nearly 400,000 people and $2.4 billion in goods and services cross the border daily.

Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump on January 20, 2017, the Prime Minister, Cabinet members, parliamentary secretaries, premiers and provincial/territorial ministers, parliamentary committees and other parliamentarians have cumulatively undertaken more than 245 visits to the United States and engagements in Canada and abroad with senior U.S. officials.

The North American economy has grown significantly thanks to NAFTA. Since 1994, our combined trading relationship has increased three-fold to almost US$1 trillion in value.

Associated Links

Canada and United States Relations

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

National Cultural Diversity Awareness Council

Speech – Launch of Creative Canada

SOURCE Canadian Heritage