Canada to maintain presence in Buffalo after consulate closes

The Canadian government will maintain a much-reduced presence in Buffalo after the Canadian Consulate here closes on Monday, The Buffalo News has learned.

Canadian officials have assured lawmakers and business leaders on this side of the border that one or two full-time employees will be posted in Buffalo to continue providing some of the services offered by the 75-person consulate staff at One HSBC Center downtown.

While elected officials and members of the business community still decry Ottawa?s decision to shutter the Buffalo consulate, they praised the Canadian plan for a small office, whose employees are expected to report to the New York City consulate.

?The fact that the consulate will have a continued presence in Buffalo is great news for preserving our trade and border relationship with our neighbor, and for promoting job growth and economic activity here in Western New York,? Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., who joined local business leaders in lobbying the Canadian government to keep some personnel in Buffalo, said in a statement.

?It?s expected the small staff will handle issues of trade and intergovernmental relations, which were key services provided by the employees of the consulate.

Officials involved in cross-border issues said they hope the size of the consular office in Buffalo will grow in the coming years as Canadian officials realize how busy the remaining employees are.

?It?s not the best solution by any stretch of the imagination, but I?m at least relieved that they recognize the importance of the bilateral relationship,? said Chris Johnston, president of World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara.

The Canadian government announced in May that it planned to close the consulate, which took up two floors of the HSBC tower, because of budget cuts and a shift in immigration policy that now lets foreign nationals living in Southern Ontario make changes to their visas online instead of at the consulate in Buffalo.

The immigration section, which employed 45 people, closed in June. The 30 other employees, who worked in trade, public affairs, administration and other sections, have been leaving over the past month or two but their final day on the job is Monday.

Business leaders and elected officials in Western New York, Albany and Washington expressed dismay at the closing but could not convince the Canadian government to change its mind.

However, Schumer, Buffalo Niagara Partnership President and CEO Andrew J. Rudnick and others involved in binational issues urged Canadian officials not to completely desert this region at a time when cross-border trade is rising.

They also argued that companies on both sides of the border rely on consular staff for help in navigating American and Canadian regulations.

?Given the fact that the Canadians have failed to reverse their unwise and counterproductive decision to close the consulate, securing boots on the ground to facilitate cross-border commerce and more is a very positive result,? said Schumer, who made his case to John Baird, the Canadian foreign affairs minister, in June.

Officials familiar with the Canadian government?s commitment said nothing is set in stone but added Ottawa has agreed to maintain a presence in Buffalo.

swatson@buffnews.comnull

Source: http://www.buffalonews.com/city/article1020395.ece

gran torino gloria steinem war of the worlds rock and roll hall of fame severe weather wichita brian wilson