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New "Pop-Up" Explores Strong Canada-Pa. Link

PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) - If you are from Pittsburgh you already know it's a great, re-surging town.

And now, the entire country of Canada is taking notice.

John Prato is the Consulate General of Canada and he joined the KDKA Morning News with Larry Richert and John Shumway to talk about why a temporary Canadian Consulate called Pop-Up Canada is opening in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh next week.

Prato says Pittsburgh is "an incredible city," and that Canada and Pittsburgh share a lot more in common than just hockey.

Canada is Pennsylvania's biggest customer he says.

Prato says, "We buy more goods from Pennsylvania than the next four countries combined. The trade between the commonwealth and Canada is over $23 Billion."

Canada buys more than from Pennsylvania then they sell.

According to Prato, this means jobs.

"Over 315,000 jobs in Pennsylvania are tied to trade with Canada," says Prato. Of those jobs, 4,000 of them are people that work for Canadian companies.

Prato points out that Pittsburgh has technology, education and skilled workers to offer.

He says, "Pittsburgh wrote the book on renaissance for north American cities. It is the city that's most impressed me in my territories."

Canada and Pennsylvania also have a partnership in energy thanks to Marcellus Shale. Prato says, "[Canada and Pennsylvania] buy and sell energy from each other."

Pop-Up Canada is Pittsburgh, "to demonstrate to people all the connections between the commonwealth and Canada and how we can build on this strong relationship."

Along with all the information Prato plans to bring some fun along with Pop-Up Canada as well. He says they are bringing the Stanley Cup back to Pittsburgh. The cup will be at 326 Smithfield Street for one day only Monday, April 7.

For more information go to www.CanadaPGH.com.

John Prato

Listen to the KDKA Morning News with Larry Richert and John Shumway weekdays from 5 to 9 a.m. on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA.

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