06-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Consular Corps of Manitoba expands leadership team with eye on trade
As Manitoba businesses look to export beyond the United States, a volunteer group acting as connective tissue between countries is ramping up activity.
The Consular Corps of Manitoba recently expanded its leadership team and is preparing for a greater role in economic development.
'There are significant opportunities for Manitoba, and Canada, to do more trade,' said Philip Houde, the Consular Corps' new chair. 'A lot of people want to do business with us.'
SUPPLIED
Philip Houde, honorary consul for Morocco and new chair of the Consular Corps of Manitoba.
Thirty-two countries have honorary (volunteer) or professional consuls in Manitoba. Their mandates vary: some stick to diplomatic assignments like answering questions about visas and travel; others have an eye on furthering trade within the province.
Houde was tapped to become Morocco's honorary consul two years ago. He already had political connections; previously, he'd been Tory premier Brian Pallister's chief of staff.
The Consular Corps of Manitoba announced Monday that Houde would take the leadership reins from Barry Rempel, honorary consul for South Korea (and former president of the Winnipeg Airports Authority).
The organization's role of secretary-treasurer has been split into two — a secretary and a treasurer — as members expect to become more active in trade.
'Manitoba is as important as ever,' Houde said. 'It's a matter of how quickly can our government and … our industry respond.'
Take Morocco: the country has a strong desire to boost trade with Manitoba, especially in agriculture stability, Houde said.
The University of Manitoba inked a deal with Morocco's University Mohammed VI Polytechnic two years ago to collaboratively research agriculture, green energy and other fields of mutual interest.
Houde, who acts as a Moroccan government representative, said the North African country views Canada as a reliable trading partner.
'I think you're going to see more Morocco … in Manitoba,' Houde said. 'You're going to see that from other nations as well.'
He's meeting with the Business Council of Manitoba and other business-facing organizations next week to discuss honorary consuls' roles in addressing current 'economic challenges.'
'Any time you have the ability to directly introduce people and create relationships… that's a massive positive,' said Bram Strain, the Business Council's chief executive.
Honorary consuls are 'well-connected.' They're often involved when a foreign ambassador, company or trade representative visits Manitoba, Strain said.
Such visits are occurring more frequently, he added. Last month, a delegation of 19 European ambassadors visited Manitoba with an eye on trade.
Many of Canada's trade agreements have been 'underutilized,' said Rempel. 'In a time where the global trade environment is somewhat unsettled, (these agreements) give us an instant opportunity, if we want to move on them.'
He's clocked more interest to do business with South Korea. The East Asian country needs protein, steel and aluminum — all found in Manitoba.
Rempel has been busy making connections. Recently, it meant linking Manitoba Trade Minister Jamie Moses with a consul general.
A South Korean company wanting to expand into Canada may contact their country's ministry of foreign affairs. The ministry then taps Rempel to find the right contact.
During his time as chair, Rempel oversaw bylaw changes allowing for more consul participation in economic development, including being more public about the organization's work. The Consular Corps of Manitoba began in 1960.
Rempel chose to step away from his role as chair after two years, citing a desire for new leadership. 'We've got a good executive team now to take us through the next couple of years.'
Not all consul-deploying countries will want to further Manitoba trade relations. Countries are more enthusiastic if they have existing trade agreements with Canada, Rempel said.
The honorary consuls of Spain and the United Kingdom haven't yet seen a significant increase in trade talks, though both regions have signalled a desire for more business opportunities in Manitoba.
'We always try to keep our eyes and ears open,' said Dwight MacAulay, honorary consul for the U.K.
MacAulay, the province's former chief of protocol, has been named vice-chair of the Consular Corps.
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'We're all trying to work and give some thought as to how we might diversify the economy of Manitoba,' he said, reflecting on the consuls.
Delegations from Morocco and Trinidad and Tobago are possibilities, their Manitoba consuls affirmed.
'The tariffs the U.S. government put in place will certainly impact the trading relations between Trinidad and the U.S.,' said Kris Ramchandar, the Caribbean country's honorary consul.
Trinidad officials may look to Manitoba for food imports, among other items, he continued. He's mainly a diplomatic liaison, providing resource materials for Trinidadian diaspora. Visa-related questions have increased lately, he added.
Gabrielle PichéReporter
Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle.
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