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PRIME MINISTER LEADS INAUGURAL
TEAM CANADA WEST TRADE MISSION

November 23, 2001
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced that he will lead Team Canada West’s inaugural trade mission to Dallas, Texas, and Los Angeles, California, from November 27 to 30, 2001. The Prime Minister will be accompanied by premiers from the four Western provinces: British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell, Alberta Premier Ralph Klein, Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert and Manitoba Premier Gary Doer, as well as the three Territorial leaders, Pat Duncan of Yukon, Stephen Kakfwi of the Northwest Territories and Paul Okalik of Nunavut.

"Based on GDP, California and Texas rank among the world’s top ten economies," said Prime Minister Chrétien. "By any standard, these states are economic powerhouses. This first Team Canada West mission provides us with an excellent opportunity to help increase trade and create jobs in Canada while further strengthening our partnership with the United States."

More than 140 organizations are participating in the inaugural Team Canada West Trade Mission. They represent such sectors as information technology, energy, aerospace, building products, agriculture and agri-food, biotechnology, and culture and entertainment. The objectives of the mission are to promote increased business relations, attract job-creating direct investment, stimulate partnerships between the two countries and develop further Canada’s successful relationship with the United States.

Texas and California both count Canada as their second largest trading partner. Canada’s two-way merchandise trade with California was more than $41 billion and nearly $25 billion with Texas in 2000. There is a vast pool of untapped trade and investment potential which is just waiting to be developed through greater interaction between businesses of both countries.

International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew, Natural Resources Minister Ralph Goodale, Environment Minister David Anderson and Secretary of State for Western Economic Diversification Ron Duhamel will also represent the Government of Canada on the trade mission.

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