The Peru Gazette

Members of the New York-Canada Relations Task Force join members of the General Consul of Canada in New York’s delegation for a photo after a breakfast meeting.  

1/6/25 – Assemblyman Jones News Release – This week, Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateauguay Lake) welcomed the General Consul of Canada in New York, Tom Clark, in Albany. Joining Consul General Clark were Deputy General Geoff Gartshore, Quebec Delegate General David Brulotte, Consul and Senior Economic Officer of Ontario Trade and Investment Office in New York Aaron Pinto, and representatives from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

In celebration of the Consul General’s visit, Jones sponsored a Resolution to Proclaim Monday, February 3rd, as Canadian Heritage Day in New York. Trade with Canada supports 520,300 jobs, and more than 800 Canadian-owned companies employ 65,000 New Yorkers. Many of these jobs are right in the North Country’s manufacturing sector. New York also has $28 billion in exports and $50 billion in annual bilateral trade with Canada. Between trade, tourism and proximity to the border, New York has a special relationship with Canada that deserves to be recognized.

On Wednesday morning, Jones also hosted breakfast for the New York Canada Relations Task Force, during which members were able to have an important conversation with the Consul General and his delegation regarding the relationship between the state and Canada. Considering the recent 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods proposed by the federal government that will impact heating oil, asphalt, cement, lumber, and other building materials and other goods vital to the North Country economy, this was an important discussion to figure out the next steps as we all navigate these new trade laws.

“I want to thank Consul General of Canada in New York Tom Clark and his delegation for returning to Albany to have important discussions about our future,” said Jones. “Canada is our largest trading partner – I oppose the tariffs proposed by the federal government because they will only hurt local businesses and bring higher costs to consumers. We have always had a great relationship with our northern neighbors, and I fear the recent issues with tariffs will be damaging. Our economies are so intertwined that our businesses and residents can prosper with proper trading policies. I will continue these conversations with Canadian leadership to ensure that the North Country is ready for what comes next.”

“I thank Assemblyman Billy Jones for his steadfast support for the strong and longstanding relationship between Canada and New York State,” said Consul General Clark. “Jones has demonstrated an unyielding commitment to protecting and enriching the economic and diplomatic ties that are essential to our mutual prosperity and security. We are equally committed to this relationship because we know we win together. This is a friendship that has stood the test of time, and we will continue to be good friends and neighbors.”