Assembly Resolution No. 68

BY: M. of A. Jones

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
February 3, 2025, as Canadian Heritage Day in the
State of New York, in celebration of this great
Empire State's long-standing economic and cultural
relationship with Canada

WHEREAS, New York and Canada share many additional deep economic,
historical, cultural, and familial ties; and

WHEREAS, New York and Canada share an international border measuring
445 miles in length with 17 international border crossings including
three of the United States' top 10 busiest border crossings and
featuring many important international trade corridors, including the
Quebec-New York Corridor, the Capitol Corridor, and Continental One, as
well as the second-busiest crossing between Canada and the United States
at the Peace Bridge; and

WHEREAS, Canada is New York's primary export market, with $28
billion in exports and over $50 billion in annual bilateral trade; and

WHEREAS, This relationship has led to over 800 Canadian-owned
companies operating in the State of New York employing over 58,000 New
Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, The economies of Canada and New York are tightly linked
through integrated cross-border supply chains that keep our firms
competitive; Canada and New York recognize the importance of strong
North American supply chains as displayed through initiatives such as
the NY-Quebec corridor for semiconductors; and

WHEREAS, Canada and the United States' mutual security and
prosperity rely upon these predictable and secure trading relationships
across a border that is both safe and secure; and

WHEREAS, The United States and Canada share a long-standing
commitment to working together for our common defense and security and
the continuation of this successful relationship through the North
American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD, is paramount to the future
security of the people of the United States and Canada; this includes
the NORAD subordinate sector command the Eastern Air Defense Sector, in
Rome, NY; and

WHEREAS, The United States and Canada have a shared commitment to
protecting the health and well-being of Americans and Canadians and have
agreed through a joint roadmap to strengthen comprehensive and
cross-sectoral efforts to collaborate on public health responses, and
build resilience against future outbreaks; and

WHEREAS, New York and Canada are committed partners in addressing
the challenge of climate change and creating a stronger, more
sustainable economy through energy trade, shared innovation development,
and aligned policies and goals; and

WHEREAS, Canada and New York celebrate this partnership with the
upcoming completion of the Champlain Hudson Power Express, a project
that will bring clean, renewable, Canadian hydropower to fuel over 1
million homes in New York City, create 1,400 direct construction jobs
and 3,200 secondary jobs, and generate $1.4 billion in funding for 73
municipalities and 59 school districts over 25 years across New York
State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 3, 2025, as
Canadian Heritage Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York; and Consul General Tom Clark of the Consulate General of Canada in
New York.