Rosenbaum & Frank LLP

 

U.S. Consulate Briefing
led by Consul General John R. Nay
January 22, 2009
Barrie, Ontario

On January 22, 2009, AmCham Canada hosted a breakfast briefing led by U.S. Consul General John R. Nay at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Centre in Barrie, Ontario. The event was sponsored by the law firm Stringer Brisbin Humphrey which has offices in both Toronto and Barrie. Numerous business leaders from the business communities of Barrie, Orillia and Toronto comprised the full capacity audience. Barbara Humphrey, of Stringer Brisbin Humphrey, introduced the Mayor of the City of Barrie, Dave Aspden. Mayor Aspden spoke briefly about his long-standing relationship with the Consul General and presented him with a gift before introducing him.

Consul General Nay emphasized the close relationship between Canada and the United States and pointed out that thirty-eight American states list Canada as their No. 1 trading partner and that bilateral trade averages $1.5 billion per day (about $1 million per minute). Investment further adds to that total as $250 billion from American companies invest in Canada and $213 billion from Canadian companies invest in the U.S. Consul General Nay also focused on the importance of border security. As he explained, security measures implemented since 9/11 have improved identification and movement of goods and people, and legal authorities are working closer than ever with Canadian police to address illegal drug and arms trade. Consul General Nay says that he believed that President Obama, who had been inaugurated just two days before the briefing, would continue to respect the close friendship between Canada and the United States.

Joining Consul General Nay at this event were Scott Bozek of the U.S. Commercial Service, and Barbara Jafelice, Adam Vogelzang and Barbara Cordero of the U.S. Consulate. Scott Bozek spoke about the work that the U.S. Commercial Service does with American companies seeking to establish a business presence in Canada. Robert Bathgate, National President of AmCham Canada, was also in attendance. Martin Rosenbaum, Chair of the Ontario Chapter of AmCham Canada, was the MC for the event.

This consulate briefing is part of a series of consulate briefings that are organized by the U.S. Commercial Service together with AmCham Canada to visit business communities throughout Ontario.  

Dave Aspden, Mayor of the City of Barrie, presents U.S. Consul General John Nay with a gift	L-R: U.S. Consul General John Nay, Barbara Humphrey of Stringer, Brisbin, Humphrey and Dave Aspden, Mayor of the City of Barrie

 

 

                          

 

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