Honoring Our Neighbors to the North: Ritchie Celebrates "Canada Day" at State Capitol

State Senator Patty Ritchie welcomed visitors and dignitaries from Canada to the Capitol Tuesday for a day of events aimed at celebrating the unique relationship that exists between New York State and the country.

Those visiting included Phyllis Yaffe, Counsel General of Canada in New York and Royal Canadian Mounted Police Constable Maxime Cormier, among others.

Visitors were honored during the day’s Senate session with an official Resolution recognizing the nation, as well as the cultural and economic ties that exist between Canada and the United States. 

“As the State Senator who represents the longest stretch of our state’s 450 mile shared Canadian border, I know how critically important—and unique—our relationship with Canada is,” said Senator Ritchie.

“Our friendship with Canada is something that benefits us all and I’m looking forward to us continuing to work together to strengthen our economic and cultural ties.”

In addition to joining state lawmakers for Tuesday’s Senate session, visitors from Canada also took part in a panel discussion on how the countries can work together to improve economies on both sides of the border.

(Attn. photo editors: Pictured in the above photo from left to right are François Gaudreau, Director of Business Development for the Québec Government Office in New York, Senator Patty Ritchie, Counsel General of Canada in New York Phyllis Yaffe, Senator Liz Krueger, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Constable Maxime Cormier and Juan-Pablo Valdes, Head of Advocacy and Communications for Canada's Consulate General in New York)