Are Ontario's International Trade Offices Worth the Price?

Abstract

Ontario’s Treasurer announced that the government is closing a number of its trade offices in the United States and shifting personnel. The benefits of the Ontario international trade offices should not be discarded so quickly because it is still important in promoting provincial and municipal economic development. The department's trade commissioner service was absorbed by the Department of External Affairs and it caused a reorganization of the department. As the new Department of External Affairs organizational framework fell into place, the provinces moved to fill the vacuum. This has led to a significant reorganization of the Ministry of Industry. The reorganization is generating jobs, but it has shortcomings. The Premier wished to pose questions under the following subject headings: mandate, market, management, money and measurement, as a part of reviewing the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of Ontario’s trade offices. Municipal economic development officials must carefully develop a working relationship with the trade offices and not expect that their interests will be taken care of automatically. Four important steps are required to have an effective and productive working relationship with an Ontario trade office: stating a comprehensive position, describing a community’s economy clearly and concisely, committing the current and relevant information, and targeting foreign investors.