Intergovernmental, International and Aboriginal Relations:

Speeches

Business Reception: 10th Anniversary of Jalisco-Alberta Twinning: Mission to Mexico

Delivered March 26, 2009
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

Introduction

Alberta-Mexico Office/Canadian Consulate

Alberta places a great deal of importance on its relations with Mexico.
In fact, we’ve had an office here for the last seven years, headed by Managing Director, David Nygaard.
David and his team are our eyes and ears, helping us to build on the vast opportunities here in Mexico.
And promote our commercial and political relationships, including our “Sister State” relationship with Jalisco.
David, on behalf of Premier Stelmach and the Government of Alberta, thank you for a job well done.
I’d also like to acknowledge the excellent work of the Canadian Consul in Western Mexico, Kathryn Aleong.
I know that our Alberta office has a great working relationship with Kathryn and her staff, and that this partnership helps both offices. Thank you.
And I’d to also like to acknowledge Ignacio Meza and the Alberta Education Centre here in Guadalajara
Since it opened in 2005, the Alberta Education Centre has actively promoted Alberta as an educational destination for Mexican students.
I’m looking forward to visiting the Centre tomorrow.

10th Anniversary – Jalisco/Alberta twinning

Ladies and gentlemen, it is an honour for me to be here tonight to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the twinning relationship between Jalisco and Alberta.
Now I realize I’m a little early, as the official anniversary isn’t until June.
But I am enthusiastic about the great potential to build on what’s been a very successful relationship…with your state… and with your country.
Since my mission here began almost a week ago, I have been fortunate to meet with many business and government officials.
And I’ve seen firsthand the strong ties between Alberta and Mexico.
By pursuing our common areas of interest, Mexico has become one of Alberta’s fastest growing export markets, ranking as our fourth largest trading partner.
I believe one of the major reasons for this success is the “Sister State” relationship between Jalisco and Alberta.
It has allowed us to explore common areas of interest in agriculture, education, forestry, science and technology, and the environment.
I must say that not all “sister” relationships are created equal…like sibling relationships, some work more smoothly than others.
But I’m proud to say that cooperation between Alberta and Jalisco has become a model for other states and provinces to follow.
And we have reason to be proud of the results of the Memorandum of Understanding on Economic Cooperation.

Successful Partnerships

I know that many of you in this room are familiar with the successes in your area of expertise…you have played a large role in making them successful.
But to demonstrate just how deep the relationship is, I’d like to spend a few minutes highlighting the successes we’ve had across a variety of sectors.

Agriculture

Alberta’s relationship with Jalisco began in the early 1990’s with agricultural exchanges of cattle and hogs.
Today, the agri-food sector still plays an important role.
The Food Processing Development Centre in Alberta is serving as a model for a similar centre in Lagos de Moreno.
Understandably, a food processing plant needs to comply with a number of engineering and sanitary standards in order to safely process food products.
And that starts with the facility itself.
Alberta is pleased to be sharing best practices and expertise for the design and building of this facility.
In fact, I understand that Jalisco has hired a retired director of the Alberta centre to act as a consultant for this project.
Once open, we are hoping the two centres will provide reciprocal services to food companies from both jurisdictions.

Forestry

The forestry industry is another sector where we have a number of agreements in place.
One of the most successful agreements involves the training of firefighters.
There is a partnership between Alberta’s Hinton Training Centre and the Agua Brava Environmental Education Center.
As result of this partnership, Mexican firefighters have access to the equipment, technology and training that certifies them in international firefighting standards.
And Alberta benefits by having access to additional trained firefighters.
Nearly 150 firefighters from Jalisco have worked, trained and fought forest fires in Alberta since 2005.
We appreciate their efforts to help preserve our forests and look forward to continuing this partnership and sharing resources.

Education

In education, several Alberta post-secondary institutions… including the University of Alberta, Mount Royal College and Olds College…have student exchange and training agreements in place.
As a result, every year more than 500 Mexican students have an opportunity to pursue their studies in Alberta.
Meanwhile, students from five Alberta high schools spend the month of July with families in Jalisco (Hal-ee-sco) obtaining agricultural training…
…and then in August, Mexican students return to Alberta for more training and sharing of best practices.

Environment

With strong global interest in environmental matters, our jurisdictions are also collaborating in advanced waste management technologies.
In a Memorandum of Understanding signed just this past January, the Edmonton Waste Management Centre of Excellence will serve as a model for a similar centre in Puerto Vallarta.
Although it is still in the early stages, the new facility will foster waste management research, development and training.

Science and technology

And last but not least, Jalisco and Alberta have a new science and technology agreement in place.
We entered into a three year, $6 million joint funding agreement in January.
This cooperation will allow us to pursue initiatives in multimedia, radio frequency identification technologies, electronic health technologies and nanotechnology. <
I think it’s clear from even these few examples that the relationship between our two jurisdictions runs deep.
So where do we go from here?
Well, I can say that Alberta is looking forward to even greater cooperation with Jalisco in the years to come...
…to continue the excellent work that is underway in all the sectors I’ve highlighted…
…and to identify new and emerging opportunities for expanding our relationship.
In these global economic times, we continue to look to the future.
A future that ensures success based on mutual interests, the sharing of ideas and technology, and strong relationships.

Conclusion and Invitation for Reciprocal Visit

And in that spirit, I’m looking forward to a visit to Alberta by Governor Gonzalez and other senior government officials in the near future.
Since arriving in Mexico, I’ve been welcomed with some extremely warm Mexican hospitality and I would be honoured to repay that kindness.
I’d also welcome the opportunity to show you the fruits of our partnership efforts so far, and to discuss what lies ahead.
Every year in July, my hometown of Calgary puts on a world-class event known as the Calgary Stampede.
So if the timing works, I’d be pleased to share some Alberta culture and continue to build on the success and goodwill we have achieved thus far.
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s been a pleasure.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight, and good evening.