St. Paul, MN – Assistant Minority Leader, State Representative, Jon Koznick, R-Lakeville is one of just eight state lawmakers from across the nation that has been selected to participate in the 2019 “Rising State Leaders” program, which features a multi-city tour in Canada this week. The tour is an opportunity for American state legislators to learn about the importance of Canada-U.S. relations on a number of issues including trade, energy, the environment, border security, and economic development.
“Being selected as one of eight lawmakers to participate in this important program is an honor,” said Representative Koznick. “I look forward to learning more about the issues that impact both our economic and diplomatic relationships with Canada. Canada is an important trading partner not just for the United States, but for the state of Minnesota. I am optimistic that this trip will help foster increased trade with our neighbors to the north and create good-paying jobs in Minnesota and Lakeville. This will also be timely and a good opportunity to better understand the proposed new United States–Mexico–Canada trade agreement.”
The 2019 program is scheduled for June 10-14 and will include stops in Ottawa, Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, and Niagara on the Lake. Through a combination of briefings and tours, the program will place an emphasis on cross-border trade and supply chain networks that support economic development for manufacturing and agriculture in the U.S. and Canada. Other highlights of the program will include a tour of Parliament Hill, visit to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, border tour, and meetings with parliamentarians and other legislative counterparts.
Koznick is a member of the Jobs and Economic Development Committee and also serves on the Minnesota Trade Policy Advisory Council through the Minnesota Trade Office. The Advisory council advises and assist the Governor and Legislature on issues of US Trade agreements and assesses their potential impact on the state economy.
The Rising Stars program was started in 2006 and has brought over 80 American legislators to learn about US-Canadian relations and is sponsored by the Canadian Embassy and Canadian Consulates General.
Rep. Koznick is pictured here in front of the temporary Canadian Senate Building.
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