We are honoured to receive the following letter of congratulations from Consul General James Villeneuve on Canada's 150th birthday on the occasion of the second anniversary since founding MAPLE Business Council. Throughout our first two years, the Consulate General teams in Los Angeles and San Diego have supported and endorsed our work to bridge Southern California and Canadian business communities more closely. We are grateful their past and continued support.
July 1, 2017
James Villeneuve - Consul General of Canada
As Consul General of Canada in Los Angeles, I am pleased to extend my congratulations to the founders and board of directors on the second anniversary of the formation of MAPLE® - The Canadian-U.S. Business Council of Southern California.
Over the past two years, I have had the pleasure of watching the MAPLE organization grow in membership and stature. The Consulate General of Canada regards MAPLE as a key partner in our work to connect Southern California and Canada, enhance Canada's presence here and encourage new and deeper commercial ties in the region. It is an organization that is positively contributing to Canada's presence in the region.
I want to thank MAPLE founders, Robert Kelle and Stephen Armstrong, for their leadership and the significant commitment they are making to promote Canada through MAPLE networking events, information sharing and inbound/outbound missions.
Canada and the U.S. enjoy a special partnership that is unparalleled anywhere in the world. Our countries are the closest of friends, partners and allies. In 2016, Canada-California bilateral trade in goods and services exceeded $44 billion with Canada representing California's second-largest export market. Over one million jobs in the state rely on Canada-California trade and together we are determined to see that number grow.
Congratulations on the success of MAPLE Business Council. I look forward to your future contributions to growing the North American economy together.
James Villeneuve
Consul General