AS PART OF A WIDE RANGING EFFORT TO BALANCE ITS BUDGET, THE GOVERNMENT OF QU…BEC HAS DECIDED TO CLOSE FOUR FOREIGN OFFICES IN THE U.S., INCLUDING ITS OFFICE FOR THE SOUTHEAST IN ATLANTA ON APRIL 30.
“THE CLOSING REPRESENTS AN EFFORT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET BY FISCAL YEAR 1999-2000,” SAID MARC T. BOUCHER, THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE RESPONSIBLE FOR 11 STATES IN THE REGION. “QU…BEC IS THE LAST MAJOR PROVINCE IN CANADA TO BITE THE BULLET.”
MR. BOUCHER EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT TO GLOBALFAX ABOUT THE DECISION, ESPECIALLY SINCE HE FELT THAT FOR A RELATIVELY MINOR INVESTMENT THE OFFICE WAS ABLE TO GENERATE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR QU…BEC’S ECONOMY.
IN VIEW OF BOTH POPULATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH FORECASTED FOR THE SOUTHEAST, HE SAID THAT HE HOPED A SMALL, ONE-PERSON REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE, OR “SOME ALTERNATIVE WAY TO ENSURE A PRESENCE” WOULD BE ESTABLISHED.
WHETHER A LIMITED OFFICE IS MAINTAINED OR NOT, HE SAID THAT THE CANADIAN CONSULATE GENERAL IN ATLANTA WOULD PROVIDE CONTINUITY TO MANY OF THE RELATIONSHIPS BUILT UP IN THE REGION SUCH AS TIES TO SOME 60 UNIVERSITIES THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHEAST.
QUEBEC’S OFFICES IN BOSTON, CHICAGO, AND LOS ANGELES WILL ALSO BE CLOSED. THE NEW YORK OFFICE WILL REMAIN OPEN.
MR. BOUCHER MAY BE REACHED BY CALLING (404) 880-0250; FAX, (404) 880-0253.