Canadian ambassador sees a ‘synergy’ of priorities with Orange County

Kirsten Hillman, the Canadian ambassador to the United States, took her first-ever trip to Orange County recently, a visit that encompassed meetings with local leaders and tours of local businesses that employ people from her country.

There’s a “synergy,” Hillman says, among Orange County and Canada in terms of priorities. Those include investments in sustainable infrastructure and transportation (public transit and people’s personal vehicles), building technologies and minimizing energy consumption, she said.

“I’m here to understand what it is that’s making this relationship so strong,” Hillman said in an interview. “There is a synergy in terms of some of the priority areas for Canadian business and skills and expertise that can be found here in Orange County.”

Hillman’s decision to leave wintry Washington, D.C., behind for a quick trip to Southern California last week isn’t all too surprising considering the Canadian footprint in the region.

About 100,000 Canadians live in Southern California, according to a 2019 study from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation in tandem with the Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles.

In Orange County, specifically, 151 Canadian-owned companies employ more than 10,000 people, according to the Consulate General.

“There are lots of regions in the country where Canadian companies could settle, could grow, but there’s already a really good stronghold here so maybe building on that is a better idea than starting fresh,” she said.

Hillman wants to see those companies and jobs — and opportunities for Canadians in Orange County — flourish. And she also sees an opportunity for her country to ensure it’s partnering with researchers in Orange County more. Canada is already working with the U.S. on research in the biotech and life science fields, she said.

“Is enough of it happening here? Could there be more happening here,” she said.

Hillman also noted that Orange County’s footprint is growing in Canada, too. One of her first stops in Orange County was Rivian, headquartered in Irvine. The electric vehicle manufacturer opened an office in Vancouver last year, its first international location.

Source: Orange County Register