OTTAWA, Ont. — The DFAIT (Dept. of Foreign Affairs and Intl. Trade) has announced details of its plans for new consulates in the U.S.

DFAIT has plans to open seven new consulates in the United States, upgrade two consulates to consulates general and appoint 20 honorary consuls. Hopes are the move will strengthen Canada’s capacity to advocate its interests in vital economic, political and security matters, and to develop innovative strategic partnerships in emerging U.S. economic power centres. All should be completed by fall of 2004.

Canada will open a new consulate general in Denver and new consulates in Houston, Raleigh-Durham, San Diego, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Anchorage. This will bring Canada’s representation in the U.S. to 22 offices. The honorary consuls will be appointed to fill important gaps in the current representation, particularly in the southeast, southwest and midwest.

“Canada and the U.S are each other’s number one customer. Having more resources on the ground will enable Canada to build effective market intelligence networks and relationships with key players in the new centres of economic and political power,” said International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew. “We are moving into strategic locations. When you consider that the GDP of Florida is equal in size to that of South Korea, for example, you can see why we must increase our resources there.”