Ontarian Premier Kathleen Wynne paid a short visit to Mexico City last week with an eye on drumming up bilateral trade and joint-venture investment for that Canadian province.
And while her visit might have been overshadowed by that of U.S. GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, it is worth noting.
Most Mexican businessmen know little about the Land of the Maple Leaf’s so-called Heartland Province, but Ontario is home to nearly 40 percent of Canada’s Mexican-born population.
That strong Mexican presence in Ontario provides “a natural link for fostering two-way business,” Wynne said during an economic forum hosted by Canadian Ambassador Pierre Alarie on Tuesday in collaboration with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Ontario International Trade and Investment Office.
Wynne, who was accompanied in her trip by her environmental minister Glenn Murray and who also hosted the first-ever Women in Leadership Climate Change Panel Discussion in Mexico City to discuss the important role women play in innovation and the transition to a low-carbon economy, said that Ontario has taken an international leadership role in addressing the global threat of climate change.
The roundtable focused on the value of gender and ethnic diversity in climate change policy, incorporating the experiences and contributions of both women and indigenous communities in the fight against climate change.
“These unique perspectives can provide a different and valuable insight into new ways to deal with the pressing issues that affect the entire world,” Wynne said.
Wynne also spoke to about her government’s recent efforts to boost Ontario’s economy and create high-paying jobs by expanding access to university education and investing in infrastructure to develop a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses.
“It is important to remember that adapting environmentally sound and sustainable development can go hand-in-hand with competitiveness,” she said, adding that that is exactly what her government is aiming to accomplish.
Wynne said that Ontario currently has the lowest business costs in the G-7 community, making it an ideal place to start a new business or expand an existing one.
And while Wynne said her province is eager to increase its commercial and economic ties with Mexico, she pointed out that there is already a substantial trade between the two entities.
That trade can serve as a model for new business opportunities, she said.
“More than $75 million in goods are exchanged between Ontario and Mexico every day, supporting millions of jobs on both sides,” she said.
Wynne went on to paint a very rosy picture of Canada’s most-populous province.
“Ontario is the largest economy in Canada, with a GDP nearly twice the size of its neighbor Quebec, the second-largest economy,” she said.
Wynne said that the Ontarian economy today is primarily service-based, although manufacturing also still plays an important role.
Ontario’s capital, Toronto, is the center of Canada’s financial services and banking industry, she said, and the neighboring cities of the Greater Toronto Area are large product distribution and IT centers.
“I am excited to share Ontario’s story on the world stage and help build on our reputation as a leader in innovation,” she said.
“Increasing our international trade is the key to keeping Ontario’s economy strong.”
She said that the development of strong bilateral commercial cooperation between Ontario and Mexico in the industrial, food-processing, education and clean energy sectors will inevitably benefit both economies.
But Ontario has also had some serious setbacks in its economy lately.
Rising energy costs and a loss of jobs in the automotive and heavy industry sectors have dealt the province a heavy blow.
Also, recent boosts in social programs have taken a toll on the province’s already-strained budget, adding to the province’s debt.
But for all the potential gloom that these realities pose, Wynne said she was optimistic for the future of the province.
“We have endured a few rough patches,” she admitted.
“But, now, Ontario is well on track to keep developing in industries that are sustainable and with a promising future.”
Thérèse Margolis can be reached at [email protected]
