Canada consul provides local companies insight to Canadian trade

By Kalea Hall

khall@vindy.com

POLAND

Canada is Ohio’s closest partner in trade.

In fact, in 2014 Ohio exported $20.7 billion of goods to Canada, and trade with Canada supported 309,000 jobs.

On Wednesday, Sebastien D. Roy, consul and trade commissioner to the Consulate General of Canada in Detroit, came to the Mahoning Valley to talk to companies about the benefits of doing business with Canada at an event at The Lake Club.

“Ohio is a great trading partner,” he said.

Roy assists companies with investment and expansion projects in Canada. His focus is on the Midwest region in four states: Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Indiana.

Roy will provide market information to companies, government and investment contacts and advice on sector-specific programs available in Canada. He also organizes site selections.

In the U.S., bilateral trade hit $38 billion in 2014 and supported 900 million jobs.

In Ohio, the number of exports to Canada has increased 29 percent over the past decade.

The top exports from the state include transportation equipment, chemicals, machinery and metal parts.

“We fabricate and make cars together,” Roy said.

It’s said that some of the parts from vehicles manufactured here will cross the border seven times before the final assembly.

In just Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, which includes the Mahoning Valley, trade with Canada supported 16,000 jobs in 2014. Local exports to Canada hit $1.2 billion in 2014.

“We have several great examples of U.S. companies that are based in Canada and invest in Ohio,” Roy said. “By doing so, companies are more competitive globally.”

Some local Canadian-owned companies in the district are Extrudex Aluminum Inc., Magna Seating and Maplewood Care Center.

PNC Bank works with U.S. companies looking to expand in Canada through the offices it has there.

“What makes PNC stand out from others is our platforms are very similar [to the U.S.], so it helps to have a seamless experience,” said David T. Olsen, principal officer and regional president for PNC in Canada.

Canada is the country where many companies first go to export.

“Our mission is to help facilitate that and help clients avoid some of the pitfalls,” Olsen said.