/ Modified jan 31, 2019 12:57 p.m.

Canada is Arizona's Largest International Employer, Diplomat Highlights

There are more than 350 Canadian companies doing business in Arizona.

Canada US flags The flags of Canada and the U.S.
Courtesy U.S. Embassy in Canada

While Mexico borders Arizona, it is actually Canada that is our state's largest international employer.

Canadian Consul General Zaib Shaikh, who oversees Arizona, says the latest study of the Arizona-Canada relationship reveals something Arizona economists have known for almost a decade.

"We have almost 350 companies that are based out of Arizona, employing over 1,000 locations in the state," said Consul Shaikh.

The trend for the past 50 years was for Canadian companies to locate in states that border Canada, like Michigan and Illinois. But in the past 10 years, according to the Arizona Commerce Department, small- and medium-sized Canadian businesses have quietly been setting up shop in Arizona — making access to cheaper Mexican labor easier. That means Canadians must invest in infrastructure in our state.

Canadian Consul General Zaib Shaikh VIEW LARGER Canadian Consul General Zaib Shaikh at an international arts event in Los Angeles, 2018.
Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles

Shaikh said: "The value in goods and services that we invest is over $3 billion — in Arizona. I'm not talking the U.S., I'm talking Arizona alone."

Then, there is Canadian tourism and homeownership in Arizona.

Canadian tourism to Arizona is at an all time high, more than 1 million people per year. And that translates, says the Arizona Office of Tourism, into more than $2.5 billion.

And while a large percentage of Canadians may be "snowbirds," spending their winters in our state, Shaikh says they are also buying homes and investing in real estate.

"When you think about the real estate value — $2.7 billion last year. Who's paying those taxes? Who's buying? Who's helping the economy grow? Guess what? it is Canada," he said.

The state of Arizona is not oblivious to those numbers, investing in attracting more Canadian business and tourism is high on the governor's proposed 2019 budget.

By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona