Today Is 'Canada Day' at the South Dakota State Capitol

South Dakota Legislature Passes Resolution Honoring Strong State Relations with Canada

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This afternoon the South Dakota Legislature passed a resolution honoring the economic, social and cultural ties the state shares with Canada and declared it "Canada Day at the South Dakota Capitol."

Canada's senior representative in the Upper Midwest, Consul General Martin Loken, spoke separately to the Senate and House chambers before the resolution was considered. In his remarks, Loken said Canada and the United States have a relationship that is unique in the world – and particularly relevant to South Dakota.  

"We are the closest of friends, partners and allies. Canada is South Dakota's top export market," Loken said. "Canada and South Dakota traded an average of $911 million worth of goods annually during the past 3 years. Canada is also the largest and most reliable foreign supplier of oil, natural gas and electricity to the United States. Our economies are so closely integrated that we make things together, and that's a benefit for both of us."

The resolution passed in the House and Senate said "That the Legislature wishes to acknowledge the long and rich history of friendship and trade between the State of South Dakota and the neighboring nation of Canada."

"We share business, history, culture with our northern neighbors. Thousands of South Dakotans' jobs depend on trade with Canada, and tourism between our nations contributes to our economic wellbeing.  It is important to recognize those economic connections, and today's resolution does that," said Speaker of the House Val Rausch.

South Dakota sold $363 million in goods to Canada in 2009, including meat, oilseed cake and meal, crude wood materials and safety and sanitation equipment, among other things.  24,600 South Dakota jobs are supported by Canada-U.S. trade.

"Canada values our relationship with South Dakota. We are honored to be at the Capitol today and to have South Dakota's representatives and senators recognize our strong partnership," added Loken.

Loken is appointed by Canada's Prime Minister to represent the Government of Canada in the Upper Midwest region. Located in Minneapolis, Canada's Consulate General works to promote trade and investment links, to engage citizens and decision-makers on matters of shared interest, and to assist Canadians living and traveling in the U.S. 2010 marked the 40th anniversary of the Consulate General's presence in the Upper Midwest.  More information is available at www.minneapolis.gc.ca.

SOURCE Consulate General of Canada