LOUISIANA CONNECTION

HISTORY The historic cultural ties between Canada and date back 300 years. Louisiana became home to thousands of forced to leave their homes in Canada in the mid-1700s. Out of this migration blossomed the proud Cajun culture that Louisiana is known for today. This long, rich history is cherished by both and Louisianans alike.

The city of Lafayette has sister cities in , , and Longueuil, .

FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT Canada is the second-most frequent investor in Louisiana, with 17 projects since 2003 accounting for over $1.77 billion in capital expenditures. During the period, a total of 2,312 jobs were created.

In June 2015, First Bauxite announced the company plans to invest $200 million to develop a bauxite processing plant on the River in St. John the Baptist Parish. The project would create 100 new direct jobs and an estimated 117 indirect jobs.

Louisiana companies have also established a presence in Canada including three direct investments since 2003 that have resulted in capital expenditures totaling $200.6 million and 303 jobs.

TRADE QUALITY OF LIFE, ARTS & CULTURE

EXPORTS FESTIVALS ACADIENS ET CRÉOLES Canada is Louisiana’s third-largest export market, www.festivalsacadiens.com with over $2.6 billion in Louisiana exports in 2016. Festivals Acadiens et Créoles is a music, food and Top Louisiana exports to Canada include chemical craft festival held in Lafayette that promotes the products ($1 billion), oil and gas ($724.4 million) and sounds, flavor and crafts of South Louisiana, and petroleum and coal products ($250.5 million). celebrates the Cajun culture brought to Louisiana by the Acadian exiles in 1755. IMPORTS Louisiana also imports heavily from Canada: nearly EDUCATION $1.4 billion worth of goods in 2016. Top imports Louisiana State University has exchange programs from Canada include oil and gas ($346.4 million); with Brock University (St. Catharine’s), Laurentian chemical products ($208.1 million); and primary metal University (Sudbury), Thompson Rivers University manufacturers ($174.4 million). (Kamloops), University of Regina (Regina) and Universite Laval (Quebec).

AIR TRAVEL There are multiple direct flights to Canada via Baton Rouge and New Orleans Airports. Destinations include , Vancouver, , Edmonton, and Winnipeg.

OPPORTUNITYLOUISIANA.COM LOUISIANA CONNECTION CANADA

CASE STUDY CONTACT INFORMATION In April 2014, CGI announced the selection of Lafayette for the JONATHAN LUPO establishment of a technology center that will create 400 direct Chief Representative, Canada jobs. The center will anchor the 143-acre University of Louisiana [email protected] at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) Research Park and develop complex T 225.342.7053 business and IT solutions for clients seeking a strategic technology partner. CGI selected Lafayette after a nearly two-year national PATRICIA C. DENECHAUD search. Louisiana Economic Development (LED) estimates the Honorary Consul of Canada project will result in an additional 405 new indirect jobs, for a total [email protected] of more than 800 new permanent jobs in Acadiana. A key part of T 504.561.1191 the project includes a state-funded, 10-year, $4.5 million higher education initiative that will triple the number of undergraduate degrees awarded annually by UL Lafayette’s School of Computing and Informatics. LED offered CGI a competitive incentive package that includes a performance-based grant of $5.3 million to reimburse personnel relocation, recruitment, training and building operating costs. CGI will also receive the comprehensive workforce solutions of LED FastStart® and is expected to utilize the state’s Quality Jobs and Digital Interactive Media and Software Development incentives.

“Our partnership with Lafayette represents a groundbreaking model for CGI — bringing together the local community to identify opportunities for innovation that can be applied globally, while tapping the talent and resources of Louisiana.”

Dr. James Peake Senior Vice President, CGI Federal

CANADIAN COMPANIES IN LOUISIANA • Accent Marketing Services • Foodee • Sensibill • AirTest Technologies • Gerber Collision & Glass • SweetIQ • Avalon Rare Metals • HomeFront Software • The Boyd Group • Bayou Bend Petroleum Ltd. • Insitu Data Solutions • The Networking Effect • CGI Federal • Limelight • Tim Hortons • CGI Group • LookBook • Tokyo Smoke • CRH Medical Corp. • MDC Partners • Transcom Worldwide • Compass Compression • MDS Inc. (NuComm International) Services • MDS Pharma Services • Wagepoint • Dream Payments • Methanex • Wishabi • EnCana • PatientSERV • changeRoom • Enbridge Energy • Retailcommon • nVest • Ferus • Robots and Pencils • wanto • Ferus Corporation • SP Data Response • First Bauxite Management

LOUISIANA COMPANIES WITH FACILITIES IN CANADA • CenturyLink • Centurylink Technology Solutions (Savvis) • Randa Accessories

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