Local news delivered daily to your email inbox. Subscribe for FREE to the rdnewsNOW newsletter.
Minister of Jobs, Economy, and Innovation Doug Schweitzer. (Government of Alberta)
Seattle, Chicago, Denver

Alberta opening three new trade offices in the U.S.

Dec 3, 2021 | 11:17 AM

The Government of Alberta has announced the creation of three new offices aimed at promoting the province’s economic, policy, and trade interests.

Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Jobs, Economy, and Innovation says they are expanding their international offices to Chicago, Denver, and Seattle.

“By expanding our network in the U.S., we better promote and protect Alberta’s interests with our closest and most important neighbours. This expansion will also be instrumental in promoting trade opportunities for Alberta businesses and creating good jobs for Albertans right here at home.”

Schweitzer adds that funds from his office will be reallocated to cover the cost of opening these offices, meaning this will not cost taxpayers anything extra.

James Rajotte, Alberta’s senior representative to the U.S, states that these are in addition to existing trade offices in Washington, D.C., and Mexico

“There has never been a better time for Alberta to strengthen its relations with policy-makers and business leaders in the United States. These new offices will help provide the representation we need to protect Alberta’s vital economic interests in the U.S. and Mexico.”

The Seattle and Chicago offices are set to open in June 2022 and will be co-located with the office of the Canadian consulates. The Denver office will open at a later date.

In 2020, Alberta’s exports of goods to the U.S. totalled $77.5-billion CAN. The province does the most international business with Illinois and Washington State.

Speaking of business with the U.S.A., Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf is currently at the Council of State Governments (CSG) National Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico, aiming to highlight trade, investment, energy security, and energy infrastructure.