PHOENIX, AZ (June 25, 2026) – To further strengthen the growing relationship between Arizona and Canada, dignitaries and leaders from both regions gathered to mark the opening of the new Canada Consulate office in Phoenix with a ribbon cutting ceremony and reception held on June 24, 2026.

Governor Katie Hobbs joined Mark Wiseman, Ambassador of Canada to the United States; Sylvie Bédard, Consul General a.i. of Canada in Los Angeles; Ali Ehsassi, Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the King’s Privy Council and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy (Canada-U.S. Trade); Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, and local government, economic development, business and community leaders to celebrate the office opening.

“The relationship between Arizona and Canada has always been strong, and today we are building on it,” said Governor Hobbs. “The new Consulate office will do more than bolster trade. It will support the Canadian companies growing here in Arizona as well as the many Arizona companies expanding their footprint in Canada. I look forward to our continued partnership and further strengthening the ties between our people.”

“Canada and Arizona share a deeply integrated economic relationship built on innovation, investment, and trusted partnerships. Across sectors like advanced manufacturing, aerospace, agriculture, infrastructure and energy, our businesses are working together to drive growth and strengthen North America’s competitiveness,” said Mark D. Wiseman, Ambassador of Canada to the United States. “The opening of our Consulate in Arizona reflects Canada’s long-term commitment to this region, and will ensure that this partnership continues to deliver results for workers and communities in both Canada and Arizona.”
 
“Canada’s partnership with Arizona is a powerful example of how open, stable and forward-looking trade relationships create opportunity and drive shared prosperity. With strong two-way investment, integrated supply chains and a focus on innovation, our economies are closely linked in ways that benefit businesses and workers alike. This new presence in Arizona will help unlock even greater potential for collaboration, supporting investment, innovation and the creation of good jobs in both our economies,” said Hon. Ali Ehsassi, MP and Parliamentary Secretary.

“Canada and Arizona have an incredibly strong foundation built on decades of trade and investment and, most importantly, personal relationships,” said Sylvie Bédard, Consul General a.i. of Canada in Los Angeles. “Canadians and Arizonans know each other well. Canada is Arizona’s largest foreign employer, and we have long been one of Arizona’s top trading partners and investors. This new Consulate will bring us even closer at a time of growing opportunities across Canada and in Arizona. By strengthening collaboration, the Consulate will play a practical, day-to-day role in advancing the strong and growing ties between us.” 

The Phoenix office aims to expand trade and investment opportunities between Canada and Arizona, and will serve as a platform to enhance coordination with Canadian companies and trade officials based in Los Angeles. 

“The opening of this new Consulate office marks an exciting milestone in the Arizona–Canada partnership, and we are incredibly grateful to our Canadian partners for their continued commitment to strengthening this important relationship,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “Canada is one of Arizona’s most significant economic allies, trading partners, and collaborators. The new Consulate office will expand opportunities for collaboration, investment, and economic growth in Arizona and Canada.”

Canada remained one of Arizona’s top trading partners in 2025. Arizona companies exported $3 billion worth of goods to Canada and Canadian companies imported $2.8 billion worth of goods to Arizona- bringing total trade between Arizona and Canada to over $5.8 billion.

Canada and Arizona also share a strong base of companies with operations in both regions, including XNRGY, Bombardier, Magna, U-Haul, and APEL Extrusions, among others, strengthening the presence of high-growth industries across advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and sustainable building technologies, and more.

Since 2019, Canada has accounted for 52 expansion projects in Arizona, representing over $5.8 billion in investment and nearly 8,700 projected new jobs.

Media Contact

Alyssa Tufts, Arizona Commerce Authority, alyssat@azcommerce.com

About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on X @azcommerce.