Alberta to open trade offices in Seattle, Chicago, and Denver in 2022
Alberta is expanding its footprint in the U.S., with plans to open a trio of new trade offices in Chicago, Seattle and Denver in 2022.
The province made the announcement Thursday in a release, as well as a press conference featuring Alberta's Minister of Jobs, Economy and InnovationDoug Schweitzer.
"It's important for Alberta to have a voice in the United States," Schweitzer said. "There's an opportunity here for Albertans to engage, make sure that our voices are heard in the United States with our largest trading partner.
"We want to make sure Alberta's voice is heard in the United States," he added, "on policy interests and economic interests that are relevant to our people."
Illinois, with $25.8 billion and Washington State, with $7.5 billion, are Alberta's largest trading partners in the U.S.
The trio of trade offices will be opened in Canadian consulates in each city, at no additional expense to Alberta taxpayers.
The Seattle and Chicago offices will open June 1, while the Denver trade office will open when an office comes available in Denver.
Alberta already has trade offices in Washington, D.C., and Mexico.
According to the province, the U.S. accounted for $77.5 billion, or 85 per cent of Alberta's overall exports in 2020.
"With increased risk of protectionism, it’s critical we continue to grow our presence in key markets in the United States to ensure we can bring more Alberta goods and services to our largest trading partner," said Deborah Yedlin, President and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. "This move is an opportunity to keep existing doors open, open new doors for Alberta businesses to expand their markets, as well strengthen supply chains."
"The economies of Alberta and the United States are increasingly interdependent as physical infrastructure, trade and investment flows grow across North America," said Edmonton Global CEO Malcolm Bruce. "The expansion of Alberta's U.S. trade office network will serve to enhance the strong ties we already have with our southern neighbours and ensure we are connecting into all of the strategic markets in the U.S. and Mexico that support our regional strengths."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.