Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 20 June 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Ireland's Trade Relationship with Canada: Discussion

Dr. Deirdre Giblin:

I will go back to the mayor of Burnaby, Mike Hurley, whom the Deputy mentioned. He is from Magherafelt and was 30 years a firefighter, as I am sure he told the Deputy. He had a vision for his city of Burnaby, just outside Vancouver, which was to turn it into the largest provider outside of Hollywood of services around sound stages, and he has achieved this. I could quote the wrong number but it is in excess of 200 sound stages. Regions here, such as Wexford and Waterford, are looking at something like that. For the upcoming Canada Day, we have set up meetings with the mayor, Mike Hurley, and Members of the Oireachtas regarding that. It is things like that, the people we meet, the little stories and the connections we make that are hugely important.

I will bounce to Mr. Collenette in relation to the SME piece. Our general view would be that there is huge scope. Of course we have always looked to our closest neighbour but the depth of the relationship with Canada, especially the strength of the Enterprise Ireland relationship, means there will be savings and businesses should go there. I will bounce to Mr. Collenette on that and then to our Canadian and Irish-Canadian colleagues.

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