MAYOR BILL WHITE, CANADIAN AMBASSADOR FRANK McKENNA MARK OFFICIAL OPENING OF CANADIAN CONSULATE IN HOUSTON
November 10, 2005 -- Canada's Ambassador to the United States of America Frank McKenna joined Mayor Bill White at City Hall today in hosting an official opening reception and ribbon cutting ceremony for the Canadian Consulate in Houston.
The Consulate of Canada promotes commercial and cultural ties between Canada and the Southwestern United States. The Honorable Diane Simsovic serves as Consul and Trade Commissioner of Canada in Houston.
"Our northern neighbors are important trading partners for Houston in many ways, including in our vital energy sector," said Mayor White. "We are very pleased to welcome representation of Canada to our consular corps and look forward to continued cooperation."
"Thanks to NAFTA, for the past six years Canada has been the largest supplier of crude and refined oil products combined to the U.S.," said Frank McKenna, Canada's Ambassador to the United States of America. "Houston-based energy companies are major investors across Canada. Th e official opening of the Canadian Consulate in Houston recognizes the strong ties that already exist between Houston and Canada and increases opportunities for the relationship to grow in the future."
The Canadian Consulate began limited operations starting in September 2004. The reception at City Hall will be the first official celebration of the opening of the consulate.
There are 83 consulates in Houston, 37 of those are headed by career consular officials and 46 are headed by honorary consular officials. Houston has the largest consular corps in the Southwestern United States.
November 10, 2005 -- Canada's Ambassador to the United States of America Frank McKenna joined Mayor Bill White at City Hall today in hosting an official opening reception and ribbon cutting ceremony for the Canadian Consulate in Houston.