Gov. Jay Nixon today announced that he will lead a delegation of Missouri business leaders and state officials to Canada next week, from March 2 through March 6.  Canada is Missouri’s largest export market and purchased nearly $4 billion in Missouri goods last year, led by the provinces of Ontario ($2.6 billion) and Quebec ($700 million). In meetings with business and governmental leaders in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto, the Governor will seek to build on this solid foundation by identifying new opportunities to sell more Missouri products to Canada, and expand investments by Canadian companies in Missouri.

“Ninety-six percent of the world’s consumers live outside the United States, so in order to keep creating jobs here at home we need to do everything we can to reach new customers for Missouri-made products abroad,” Gov. Nixon said.  “As Missouri’s number one export market, Canada offers tremendous opportunities for Missouri businesses and farmers. In fact, Canada purchased nearly $4 billion in Missouri goods last year alone – dollars that helped fuel our economy and bring our unemployment rate to a five and a half year low. The goal of this mission is simple: sell more products to Canada, and create more jobs in Missouri.”

Joining Gov. Nixon on the delegation will be: First Lady Georganne Nixon; Mike Downing, Director, Department of Economic Development; and Richard Fordyce, Director, Department of Agriculture.  The Missouri delegation will also include representatives of Missouri businesses including Custom Metalcraft of Springfield; Essex Industries of St. Louis; Advantage Capital Partners; and Kent Precision Foods Group, Inc. of St. Louis.

During the mission, the Governor will meet with government officials including Elaine Zakaib, the Minister of Industrial Policy in Quebec; Ed Fast, the Canadian Minister of International Trade; and Kathleen Wynne, the Premier of Ontario.  The Governor will also address a number of Canadian trade and industry associations, including American Chambers of Commerce in Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa and the Montreal Board of Trade.

Gov. Nixon will also meet with the leadership of major Canadian corporations that have made or are considering making investments in Missouri, such as Magna International, the parent company of Magna Seating in Excelsior Springs and LMVAutomotive in Liberty. In 2012, LMV Automotive broke ground on a $42 million facility in Liberty that will supply parts to the Ford Transit, being built in Claycomo.