New British consul-general for western Canada looks to deepen ties between countries

The brand new British consul-general for western Canada is trying to deepen the connection between the 2 nations, particularly round tech.

“Now we have some good buying and selling relationships already. I feel there’s extra that we will do,” Jonathan Turner mentioned Tuesday.

Turner, who changed Caroline Saunders as consul-general for Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba in June, mentioned he’s seen good hyperlinks between trade and academic establishments within the Canadian provinces and the UK.

“I feel there’s much more we will do to encourage larger cooperation,” Turner mentioned. “There’s issues that we will do within the government-government stage as effectively, sharing concepts round some key areas of expertise, be it clear tech, agriculture, well being, (and) a complete load of different issues — I feel that we will actually look to deepen that relationship.”

Turner shared his ideas on the area and his new position throughout a webinar hosted by the Canada West Basis. Based on basis president and CEO Gary Mar, viewers had been from varied ranges of presidency, funding banks, legislation companies, universities, clear tech and agrifoods.

Turner’s earlier publish was in Singapore, as regional director for financial commerce and coverage in southeast Asia. He mentioned his background in financial improvement led to being tapped for the position representing the British authorities in Canada.

When the Brexit transition interval formally completed on Jan. 1, the U.Ok. additionally left the Canada-EU Complete Financial Commerce Settlement. The 2 nations then signed the Canada-UK Trade Continuity Agreement that got here into impact on April 1, persevering with the elimination of 98 per cent of tariffs on Canadian exports and granting preferential entry to the U.Ok. market.

Turner mentioned thinks British firms might see progress alternatives from the Canadian area in sectors like infrastructure, food and drinks, and cyber protection.

He mentioned western Canada’s experience in power and clear tech can be well-received within the U.Ok.

Turner cautioned towards oversimplifying the causes of reported gasoline and pure gasoline shortages within the U.Ok. and Europe whereas COP 26 was being hosted in Glasgow, Scotland.

“The transition to wash power is a significant geopolitical shift — there’s no two methods about that — and that may create some challenges alongside the best way,” the consul basic mentioned. “However I don’t assume that needs to be an argument to row again on our local weather commitments.

“I feel it redoubles our want to take a look at our power combine, to take a look at what’s inflicting a few of these international imbalances.”

Requested concerning the position the British authorities might have within the work of reality and reconciliation within the nation, Turner mentioned he admired the “spirit of openness” and the willingness to dig into an ignoble a part of Canada’s historical past.

“It’s one thing that I’ve been talking with just a few folks after I’ve been doing visits and issues like that to know the views from the Indigenous group, and I feel that’s one thing I might in all probability do extra of.”

Based mostly in Calgary, the consul-general mentioned he had already had a possibility to go to Manitoba in October and anticipated to go to cities in Saskatchewan on the finish of the month. These and different visits confirmed him the established connection and affinity the western provinces have with the British isles.

“We’ve received so many frequent objectives globally, whether or not that’s engaged on new applied sciences, a few of our values that we each maintain, ensuring that we have now these values, to issues like tackling local weather change and benefiting from developments in expertise,” Turner mentioned.

“Broadly, from my perspective and from what my colleagues inform me throughout our Canada community, the connection is a extremely robust one and it’s persevering with to develop.”