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Transatlantic: Canada’s new envoy
Greater Birmingham Transatlantic
Chamber of Commerce
Contact:
Mandy Haque T: 0121 725 8994
Canada’s new envoy welcomed
A new High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom has been appointed.
Ralph Goodale (pictured) has assumed responsibilities as the Canadian High Commissioner in London – his latest post in a long and distinguished career.
Raised on a family farm near Wilcox, Saskatchewan, Mr Goodale received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Regina in 1971, and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1972.
He has practical experience in business, law, agriculture and broadcasting, as well as federal and provincial politics.
Mr Goodale was first elected to the Parliament of Canada in 1974 at the age of 24, representing Saskatchewan’s sprawling rural riding of Assiniboia.
In the 1980s, he served as leader of the provincial Liberal Party, and was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan in 1986.
Mr Goodale returned to the House of Commons in 1993 as the Member of Parliament for Wascana, and was subsequently re-elected seven consecutive times, becoming Regina’s longest-serving MP.
A member of the federal Cabinet under three Prime Ministers, he was appointed minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food (1993-1997), Minister of Natural Resources (1997-2002), Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (2002), Minister of Public Works and Government Services (2002-2003), Minister of Finance (2003-2006), and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (2015-2019).
In March 2020, Mr Goodale became a special adviser to the Prime Minister for Canada’s response to Iran’s shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752, which claimed the lives of 55 Canadian citizens, 30 permanent residents of Canada and dozens of others with Canadian links.
His appointment has been welcomed by the Greater Birmingham Transatlantic Chamber of Commerce.
Mandy Haque, the Chamber’s international director, said: “We welcome Ralph Goodale’s appointment and look forward to working with him as part of our ongoing drive to encourage trade between UK businesses and those in Canada.
“The UK has a strong trading relationship with Canada and it is set to become even more important over the coming years with the two countries ready to began negotiations for an upgraded comprehensive trade deal and the UK applying to join the CPTPP trade agreement.”
Largest monthly flight schedule for United
United Airlines has announced its largest monthly schedule since before the pandemic –with more than 400 daily flights running during July.
The airline says it plans to fly 80 per cent of its US schedule compared to July 2019, as well as increasing services to reopened European destinations.
Bookings for summer travel are up 214 per cent compared to 2020 levels, United have said.
In the US, United will add new routes to Bozeman (Montana), Orange County (California), Raleigh (North Carolina) and Yellowstone/Cody (Wyoming).
The airline is also adjusting its flight times at its hubs at Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport to provide more convenient options for customers.
“This July we’re taking a big step toward flying at pre-pandemic levels for our domestic network,” said Ankit Gupta, vice president of domestic network planning and scheduling at United.
Transatlantic business leaders have welcomed the formation of a new body set up to attract overseas investment into the UK.
The Government says the newly-formed UK Investment Council’s purpose is to provide a platform to influential global investors so that they can highlight their perspectives, priorities and concerns relating to UK inward investment.
The council is chaired by the Minister for Investment at the Department for International Trade (DIT) and features 40 members from a range of sectors including financial services, aerospace, technology, food and drink, telecommunications and agriculture.
Leading transatlantic trade body BritishAmerican Business, of which the Greater Birmingham Transatlantic Chamber of Commerce is part, said the creation of the council was a welcome development that will enhance the UK’s prospects for foreign investment.
Emanuel Adam, executive director and director of policy and trade at BritishAmerican Business, said: “We welcome the establishment of the UK Investment Council and with that the UK Government’s efforts to seek private sector advice how to improve and enhance the UK’s business environment for foreign investors.
“The UK is at an important juncture in formulating its future proposition for foreign investors.
“We are delighted that many members of the transatlantic business community can help ensure the UK continues to be a good place to do business.”
