Parliamentary Secretary Alghabra highlights new International Education Strategy and visits Windsor businesses

August 22, 2019 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

International education strengthens the Canadian economy by giving students valuable global experience and developing the skills they need to compete internationally so they can create jobs at home. This key export sector supports quality middle-class jobs, creates strong linkages that increase prosperity for all Canadians and enhances Canada’s global image.

Today, at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, Omar Alghabra, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade Diversification, highlighted the newly announced International Education Strategy designed to equip young Canadians with the skills they need to enter the modern workforce and to advance Canada’s standing as a high-calibre location in which to study, do research and work. By building on the assets that make Canada an attractive destination for international students, the new strategy will reinforce Canada’s trade diversification efforts and foster a vibrant Canadian economy.

While in Windsor, Parliamentary Secretary Alghabra met representatives of Reko International Group Inc., a Canadian manufacturing company that exports to markets around the world and creates strong jobs in the region. He also met with New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company, Catalent, and the German-owned manufacturing company, Kauth. Foreign investments like these spur on innovation, create good middle-class jobs for Canadians and help ease access to international markets.

Parliamentary Secretary Alghabra also discussed the importance of the government’s trade diversification strategy with the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation and how it is giving Canadians better opportunities to compete and succeed on the international playing field.

Quotes

“Our new International Education Strategy will enhance Canada’s prosperity, support a growing number of quality middle-class jobs and help Canadian businesses to diversify and tap into new markets. This is important as we look to help more Canadian businesses to thrive abroad and share their products with the world.”

- Omar Alghabra, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade Diversification

“Windsor-Essex is a net exporting region. Almost 90% of our manufactured products and 80% of our produce is exported, mostly to the United States. Further economic diversification through the use of trade agreements is vital for the region as we seek to gain new markets and compete globally. Tools to help SMEs export and tap into new markets are important for the regional economy and will help enhance our diversification efforts.”

- Rakesh Naidu, President & CEO, Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce

“We are pleased to have Mr. Alghabra on campus to promote the federal government’s commitment to international education. Just as students from all over the world are benefiting from post-secondary education in Canada, domestic students should explore study-abroad opportunities as a means of personal development and as a logical and effective entryway to their participation in the global economy.”

- Patti France, President, St. Clair College

Quick facts

As announced in Budget 2019, the Government of Canada is investing $147.9 million over five years, with $8 million per year ongoing, in the new International Education Strategy.
In 2018, more than 720,000 international students at all levels studied in Canada—the largest number ever.
International education represents an important service export sector for Canada.
Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service supports more than 800 educational institutions and businesses offering education-related services and products.
In 2018, international students contributed an estimated $21.6 billion in expenditures to Canada’s economy.
Through its trade diversification strategy, the government will invest $1.1 billion over six years to help Canadian businesses grow and diversify their exports.
The 2018 Fall Economic Statement invests $100 million over six years to reinforce the CanExport program and related funding programs so that more Canadian businesses can explore new overseas markets, especially high-growth emerging markets and markets benefiting from free trade agreements such as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
These investments complement Canada’s efforts to diversify its trade through 14 trade agreements to 51 countries with nearly 1.5 billion consumers and a combined GDP of more than US$50 trillion.

Associated links

Contacts

Michael Jones
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Trade Diversification
343-550-2368
[email protected]

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
[email protected]