P.E.I. trade mission wraps up

'We're driving home the message of Canada's food island, says minister

Image | Pickle Point Oysters

Caption: The P.E.I. government is hoping a trade mission to Ontario this week will improve tourism and business relationships between the two provinces. (raspberrypoint.com)

Oysters are expected to be one item on the menu Wednesday night as a P.E.I. trade mission in Ontario wraps up at a downtown Toronto restaurant.
"We're showcasing some of our food products, actually," said Heath MacDonald, minister of economic development and tourism. "We're driving home the message of 'Canada's food island.' And, we'll be showcasing Raspberry Point Oysters and things like that. So, we're hoping to get some attention."

Image | Heath MacDonald says the change will benefit Islanders.

Caption: Economic Development and Tourism Minister Heath MacDonald has been in Ontario on a trade mission with about 21 P.E.I. businesses promoting the province's tourism and helping build business relationships. (CBC)

Along with about 21 P.E.I. businesses, MacDonald has been in the Greater Toronto Area since Monday promoting the province's tourism industry and expanding business relationships. Businesses, writers and bloggers are among the guests expected at the wrap-up dinner.

'Good potential in trade'

"We're just trying to show that we have some really good potential in trade with one another. And, things seem to be working out very well from the largest province to the smallest province," MacDonald said.
Given that Ontario is the top domestic export market for P.E.I. products, MacDonald said he hopes some concrete business deals result from the trade mission.
"You just never know. There's a lot of leads that maybe some of these companies had prior to even coming to the Greater Toronto Area. So, this may be a conclusion to some of those leads and hopefully some sales," he said.