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Loonie Gives Canada Something to Crow About NPR (National Public Radio), Sep. 24th, 2007 The parity between the U.S. and Canadian currency can improve trade between the two countries — they take back Celine Dion, we keep Mike Myers — and tourism to the big city south of Toronto — New York. The loonie's rise is also a point of pride for many Canadians, who have endured years of American jokes about their oddly named money. Energy to burn Quentin Casey, Telegraph-Journal, Published Thursday May 24th, 2007, Appeared on page A1 With a stunning view of the New York City skyline as his backdrop, Premier Shawn Graham gave his best business pitch to a cross-section of the Empire State's fiscal elite Wednesday. His main message: New Brunswick is poised to fill much of New York's demand for energy in the coming years - a pledge that likely guarantees an increase in energy production in the province. "I cannot overemphasize how important I regard New Brunswick's relationship with the state of New York, and with this city," Graham told a luncheon crowd of about 100 representing some of the world's largest finance and legal firms - from Merrill Lynch to TD Securities. "Energy is one of the main reasons for my visit here today. I believe energy is the key to New Brunswick's (economic future) and our success is tied to the exporting of our products," he continued, noting current projects like the liquefied natural gas terminal and possible second oil refinery in Saint John. "As the world's eleventh largest economy, New York City faces a challenge in terms of energy supply over the next 10 years. Meanwhile, our province has a number of projects underway that will"‰"..."‰present enormous opportunities for your state." The comments came on the final day of the premier's two-day trade mission to the Big Apple. The trip began Tuesday with events aimed to promote the province's tourist attractions to New Yorkers. But Wednesday's focus turned mainly to the energy file, the centrepiece of Graham's plan to improve the province's fiscal standing. Following a closed-door meeting with Daniel Sullivan, Canada's consul general in New York, Graham delivered his speech to the Canadian Association of New York - an organization that promotes ties between Canadian and the U.S. Those in attendance dined on Atlantic salmon, sampled Ganong chocolates and soaked in a panoramic view from the high perch in a Manhattan office tower. "New Brunswick is blessed with unparalleled advantages in terms of price and reliability of clean, renewable energy sources," said Graham, who later led a roundtable talk with investment firms seeking new opportunities in the energy sector. "The electrical grid in New Brunswick is robust and technically advanced. It is strategically able to move electricity to and from a number of markets on the eastern seaboard." The province currently sells excess power, but only at select times when local demand is relatively low. The question now is how the province will attain a full-time supply of power for export to the hungry markets Graham often speaks of. The recently issued report from Graham's self-sufficiency task force listed numerous recommendations concerning energy production - all aimed to boost the province's economic placement. A second generating plant at Belledune, to be powered by zero-emission clean coal technology, and steps to secure an Advanced Candu reactor to heighten the province's nuclear capabilities were among its suggestions. The province is already mulling the idea of a second unit at the Point Lepreau nuclear station, which would be used mainly for exporting power. "We've already got surplus power to sell. "That gives us a unique advantage that we want to leverage further," said Graham in an interview with the Telegraph-Journal before attending the final reception and dinner of the trip. "I truly believe that New Brunswick can position itself as an energy hub. To do that it means producing energy in our region that we can sell at a premium price to our neighbours in the south. "Yes, the development of the energy sector, such as new capacity in generating electricity, will be key to that success. "Security of supply today is the No. 1 issue in the U.S. energy sector. New Brunswick is poised to reap the benefits if we move swiftly and decisively." Sullivan, a former director of the Toronto Stock Exchange and former deputy chairman of Scotiabank's corporate and investment banking division, said Graham's pitch will likely find an open ear. "Energy is a topic of interest in New York. He has a very positive story of energy production in New Brunswick. (The goal) is to tell a good story in New York and I think they've done that," Sullivan said. "We're delighted he has come here. New York is an important market. Whenever a provincial premier or senior government official comes to the United States it's very positive for Canada. "I think the premier's trip has been quite successful. He's done an excellent job of talking about the future of New Brunswick and the prospects for the province." John Moore, president of the Canadian Association of New York, also said the trip would likely yield results. "People down here, especially private equity firms, are very interested in investment and are always looking for new opportunities, whether it's in Canada or the U.S.," he said. "I think people here would be very interested." The crowd displayed a keen attention to Graham's speech and followed it with a half dozen questions ranging from health-care issues to Graham's thoughts of the current high value of the Canadian dollar versus the American greenback. Graham now plans to follow-up with a similar visit to New York this fall that will focus solely on the energy file. "I can assure you that our visit this week is only the beginning of our government's focus on New York State and how we can work with you to our mutual advantage," he told the gathering, before heading off with Finance Minister Victor Boudreau for a tour of the trading floor at CIBC's American headquarters. For Graham the key is to gain maximum exposure in top markets like New York - a trend that will continue with a similar mission to Atlanta early next month. "We're a player in the international market but sometimes we don't promote ourselves as actively as we should," the premier said. "If we're not present in (these areas) we're not going to be noticed." Lloyd Robertson receives Arts and Letters Award CTV.ca News Staff, Updated: Fri. Nov. 17 2006 CTV News Chief Anchor Lloyd Robertson has received the 2006 Arts and Letters Award from the Canadian Association of New York. The association honoured Robertson at its annual Maple Leaf Ball in Manhattan. Past winners have included such Canadian luminaries as Margaret Atwood, Paul Shaffer, Norman Jewison, Karen Kain and fellow anchor Peter Jennings. The association awards Canadians who have significantly contributed to the arts on both sides of the border. Robertson, a native of Stratford, Ont., has been in broadcasting for more than 50 years. He joined CTV in 1976 and anchors the nightly newscast, CTV News With Lloyd Robertson. Ken Ottenbreit, the association's co-president, has called him “the dean of Canadian journalism.” “Lloyd Robertson is one of North America's most accomplished journalists and has led Canadians, both at home and abroad, through the major events that have defined the country,” Ottenbreit said in a release last month. Proceeds from the Maple Leaf Ball will go to charities supported by the Canadian Association of New York Foundation. With files from The Canadian Press Lloyd Robertson To Receive The 2006 Arts and Letters Award from The Canadian Association of New York NEW YORK - CTVâs Chief News Anchor and Senior News Editor, Lloyd Robertson will be presented with the Canadian Association of New Yorkâs 2006 Arts and Letters Award at a ceremony during the Maple Leaf Ball at Mid-town Manhattanâs Gotham Hall on November 17. The prestigious award honours prominent Canadians who have contributed greatly to the development of one of the areas of Arts and Letters, in both Canada and the United States. Past winners have made contributions through the stage, screen, television, music, photography and writing. Previous recipients of the Canadian Club of New York Arts and Letters Award include Margaret Atwood, Peter Jennings, Paul Shaffer, Norman Jewison, Karen Kain, Maureen Forrester, Yousuf Karsh, Morley Safer, Carol Shields, Christopher Plummer, Oscar Peterson and Rich Little. “Lloyd Robertson is one of North America’s most accomplished journalists and has led Canadians, both at home and abroad, through the major events that have defined the country,” says Ken Ottenbreit, Co-President of the Canadian Association of New York. “Leading CTV and Canada’s top newscast for more than 30 years, Lloyd is without a doubt the dean of Canadian journalism and we are thrilled to honour him with this award.” As Chief News Anchor and Senior News Editor of CTV News, Lloyd Robertson is the leader of the country's most-watched newscast, CTV News With Lloyd Robertson. An accomplished newsman, Robertson joined CTV in 1976 and has been broadcasting for more than 50 years. Throughout his career, Robertson has guided Canadians through such events as: the Quebec Referendum, Canadian and U.S. elections, 9/11, state funerals, papal visits and the Terry Fox Run. During his illustrious career Robertson has received numerous awards including being awarded the Order of Canada in 1998. The Canadian Association of New York maintains 126-year-old tradition of bringing together Canadians, expatriates and friends of Canada. The Association has a remarkable service record, including raising over a million dollars for cancer research by sponsoring the Terry Fox Run in Central Park each year. The Maple Leaf Ball is the gala event of the year for the Canadian community in New York. Proceeds from the Ball will be donated to children’s charities in New York. For further information please contact: McKenna tries to ease U.S. fears; New ambassador reassures Americans that Canadian border security is tight The Globe and Mail, May 11, 2005 SHAWN McCARTHY NEW YORK -- Ottawa's man in Washington, Ambassador Frank McKenna, brought his unique brand of high-energy hucksterism to Times Square yesterday, seeking to allay U.S. fears that Canada is a capricious, and therefore dangerous, neighbour.
Just two months into his job, Mr. McKenna has embarked on a very public effort to reassure Americans that Canada has taken responsible steps to combat terrorism and secure its own borders from unsavoury would-be immigrants.
Following stops in Philadelphia and Colorado Springs in the previous few weeks, the ambassador arrived in the country's business and media centre to deliver a luncheon address to a business audience, meet with the editorial boards of The New York Times and Business Week magazine, and make an appearance on Fox News, the conservative cable network whose pundits often bash Canada's liberal record.
The stakes are enormous. Canada's Liberal government and the U.S. business community are trying to head off ever-increasing, congressionally mandated security measures at the border that Mr. McKenna says would cripple economic activity.
“We care very much about the security of the border and the relationship with the United States of America,” Mr. McKenna told a business luncheon in midtown Manhattan yesterday.
“And we know we have to be very, very careful to protect against terrorism and, at the same time, allow this vast amount of trade to continue, which is really the lifeblood of both economies in many ways.”
As former premier of New Brunswick, Mr. McKenna gained a reputation as an aggressive salesman for his province, attracting jobs and investment with a combination of smart policy and unapologetic boosterism.
That same style was on display yesterday during a luncheon speech held in the Reuters Building, 31 floors above Times Square, before an audience of lawyers, local media and business executives, most of whom were either Canadians or people who do business with Canadian firms.
For Canada watchers, Mr. McKenna broke little new ground, offering the usual litany of statistics showing Canada to be the largest trading partner of the United States and listing prominent Canadians working in the United States, including singer Céline Dion and the National Basketball Association's most valuable player, Steve Nash.
Employing a delivery that was at time folksy and at times urgent, he also sought to debunk common misconceptions that, he said, remain stubbornly at large in the broader U.S. community.
“There wasn't a whole lot new there,” said Thomas Niles, a former U.S. ambassador to Ottawa and now vice-chairman of the U.S. Council on International Business. Mr. Niles said he did learn some details about tougher Canadian immigration law.
“It was delivered with a lot of energy and a lot of passion. He did talk about changes in Canadian [security] law, and that would be a good message to get out to a broader audience.”
Nearly four years after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Mr. McKenna said he still encounters Americans, including members of Congress, who believe some of the 9/11 terrorists entered the United States from Canada. In fact, all had arrived from overseas with visas.
He said he is also seeking to explode the “myth” that Canada remains “soft” on immigration. He said that after 9/11, the Liberal government toughened its stand, making it easier to deport would-be refugees on the basis of security concerns and beefing up its screening program overseas.
Later, in a Fox News interview, Mr. McKenna responded to allegations that Ottawa has allowed “Islamic extremists” from Afghanistan to claim refugee status in Canada.
The Fox host, John Gibson, was referring to an article in The National Post this week, headlined “Influx of Terrorists,” that cited a Canadian intelligence report warning that a certain number of “jihadists” bent on committing acts of terrorism had entered Canada.
Mr. McKenna did not deny the report, but said Canadian police and intelligence officials, in co-operation with their U.S. counterparts, are working hard to ensure terrorists do not launch attacks from across the border.
“What is happening on the ground would give you a lot of confidence,” he said. “Our intelligence people in Canada and in the United States of America work . . . close together. The sharing of information is all the way up and down the line and, believe me, there is a lot going on that people aren't aware of in terms of cross-border communication.” The Canadian Club of New York and the Canadian Society of New York Announce Merger December 29, 2004, NEW YORK - Effective January 1, 2005, the Canadian Society of New York and the Canadian Club of New York have merged operations to create a new association. Designated the Canadian Association of New York, the organization is dedicated to providing a forum for economic, social and cultural interchange for Canadians living in the Greater New York Metro Area. Prior to the merger, discussions and negotiations between the two organizations’ boards of directors had been underway for six months. The standing presidents—Kenneth Ottenbreit of the Canadian Club of New York and Philippe David of the Canadian Society of New York—will serve as co-presidents of the new association for the initial two-year period in order to ensure a smooth transition. The new executive board also includes co-vice-presidents Brendan Redmond and John Moore, treasurer James Otton and secretary Reena Bhatt. Directors Frances Cassidy, Jason Chrein, Nicola Clayton, Chris Davis, Mary Jo Dieckhaus, Dean Keyworth, Pierre Lorieau, Mark Mandel, Andrew Nelson, Donald Torey and Elizabeth Vilmik comprise the new board of directors. |