Gov. Nathan Deal will spearhead an economic development mission to some of Canada’s most prominent business and tourism centers today through July 10. The governor will visit Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Calgary to meet with companies seeking to locate or expand in the United States, diplomatic officials, Canadian business groups and media outlets. The delegation will promote the state as the nation’s top location for business investment and Canadian travelers.
"The foundation of Canada’s prominence as a trade, business and tourism partner for the state is the friendly, strategic relationships we maintain with our neighbors," said Deal. "This week we celebrate our Independence Day, and Canadians mark Canada Day; it’s a great time to thank our Canadian friends for their past investments, and invite them to find out what’s new in Georgia."
The mission will include Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal; Chris Cummiskey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development; and Steve Brereton, Consul General of Canada in Atlanta. Deal will meet with prospective businesses and with companies that have existing Georgia operations, including Bombardier and CAE. In Toronto he will address a business investment luncheon hosted by PNC Bank and the Canadian-American Business Council. Later that day Deal will throw out the first pitch of the Toronto Blue Jays vs. Kansas City Royals baseball game at Rogers Centre.
The governor and delegation will also attend, as honored guests, celebrations of the U.S. Independence Day hosted by the U.S. consulates in Montreal and Toronto. Georgia-grown products will be showcased during the Independence Day celebration in Montreal. Holly Chute, executive chef at the Georgia Governor’s Mansion, will hold a cooking demonstration for the participants and invited media. Chute has worked with six Georgia governors since she joined the Mansion’s staff in 1981 and has been designated a "Georgia Grown Executive Chef" by the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Georgia Grown program.
Mrs. Deal will visit a women’s shelter and a community center in Toronto. During the latter portion of the week the governor and delegation will be guests of the Province of Alberta and will meet business and government leaders during the Calgary Stampede. While in Alberta, the governor will also visit some of Canada’s largest oil sands reserves, for which several Georgia businesses supply equipment and technology, and whose continuing expansion provides growing opportunities for Georgia companies.
