Your Stories
Here are a few of our favourite stories, both personal and business. You can read these, or view a bigger selection of personal stories or business stories, and then tell us your own story.
Maine | Michigan | Montana
New York | Washington
Maine
Bangor Hydro-Electric Company is an electric utility wholly-owned by the Nova Scotia-based company Emera, Inc. Bangor Hydro serves a population of 192,000 in a 5,275 square mile area in Maine. Bangor Hydro recently announced a contract with InfraSource Transmission Services Company to construct an 85-mile electric transmission line. This transmission line, known as the Northeast Reliability Interconnect (NRI), will span from Orrington, ME to the St. Croix River . The NRI is designed to improve the reliability of the region's electric systems, as well as to increase electric energy exchanges and competition between New England and the Maritimes. Upon completion, the NRI will link up with a new transmission line to be built in New Brunswick.
Canadian Consulate General, Boston, Massachusetts
Michigan
The Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) Study is an initiative created to facilitate the safe, secure and efficient movement of people and goods across the Ontario-Michigan border as well as to promote the economy on both sides of the border. The study engages both countries to determine the optimum location for another Windsor-Detroit border crossing and the coordination of border control systems such as Free And Secure Trade and the harmonization of Intelligent Transportation Systems. It is scheduled to submit its final report at the end of 2007.
Canadian Consulate General, Detroit, Michigan
Michigan
In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Detroit Regional Chamber established the Northern Border for Economic Security and Trade (NBEST) to address the horrific traffic backups and delays that were having a devastating impact on business, trade, recreational travel, tourism and the general quality of life of the region. NBEST is a bi-national coalition of public and private-sector stakeholders with the shared mission to advocate for necessary improvements at the Michigan-Ontario border crossings. NBEST continues to press for implementation of improved technology, infrastructure improvements and coordinated management practices amongst all border agencies while providing educational resources for the community. It has taken a national leadership role in raising awareness of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
Canadian Consulate General, Detroit, Michigan
Montana
Enerplus Resources Fund opened its US headquarters in February 2006 to manage its US assets located primarily in Montana. Enerplus is currently the largest oil producer in Montana and its move into the state highlights the growing interest of energy-focused Canadian Income Trusts in US assets. The company's US assets were purchased following the successful Energy Partnering Mission to Calgary in April 2005 which sought to increase cross-border investment in the energy sector.
Canadian Consulate General, Denver, Colorado
Montana
Governor Brian Schweitzer announced the establishment of the Montana-Canadian Provinces Relations Advisory Council, a positive milestone in Montana-Canadian relations. The Council, headed in Montana by Lieutenant Governor John Bohlinger, is designed to help facilitate open dialogue on cross-border management issues including agriculture, livestock, wildlife, energy, environment, water management, transportation, tourism, education, economic development, law enforcement and emergency preparedness and response.
Canadian Consulate General, Denver, Colorado
New York
With over $30 billion in goods annually crossing New York's border with Canada, New York's land ports of entry are of critical national significance. Canada and the United States have responded by investing over $340 million in border infrastructure between New York and Canada. Improvements include a Port of Excellence under construction at the Champlain, New York - Lacolle, Quebec crossing; a new lane dedicated to FAST-approved trucks at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge; the designation of the Whirlpool Bridge exclusively for NEXUS travellers; plaza reconfiguration and construction at the Peace Bridge; and the announcement of land preclearance pilot projects at both the Peace Bridge and the Thousand Islands Bridge.
Canadian Consulate General, Buffalo, New York
New York
Kläss & Co., a leather specialties company based in Montreal, has been successful in introducing its furniture product lines into the New York market. As a direct result of working with the Canadian Consulate in New York, Kläss & Co. now exports various pieces of their collections to New York. The distinctive pieces can be viewed and purchased at Studium, a unique Multi-Line Showroom for Interior Design.
Canadian Consulate General, New York, New York
Washington
With Boeing Commercial Airplanes headquartered here, Washington State is considered the Commercial airplane capital of North America and Canada's WestJet Airline is a big contributor to this. Their fleet is based entirely on one aircraft - the Boeing 737. At the end of 2005 WestJet had spent some $1.6 billion on its Boeing Fleet and now has 55 Boeing Next Generation fuel efficient 737's flying its routes throughout North America. WestJet has an order for 12 more 737's over the next few years, solidifying their position as one of Boeing's great customers. And interestingly, like "coals to Newcastle" Horizon Air based in Seattle was the North American launch customer for Bombardier's Q400 and currently operates 18 of the aircraft, all of which were acquired new from Bombardier Aerospace of Canada. Horizon also operates 28 Bombardier 37-seat Q200 turboprops and 20 Bombardier 70-seat CRJ-700 regional jets. Horizon announced in October 2005 that it would take 12 additional Q400s from Bombardier, with deliveries scheduled to begin late in 2006 and continue through the first half of 2007.
Canadian Consulate General, Seattle, Washington