THE FRENCH CONNECTION QUEBEC is predominantly French- speaking, with a mix of natural resources, and manufacturing, high-tech, R&D- intensive and lively creative industries. UK companies like Rio Tinto, Rolls- Royce and GSK are major players in the province. Strong sectors include aerospace – there is a cluster of more than 200 companies, including Bombardier, Pratt & Whitney Canada and Bell Helicopters – pharmaceuticals/life sciences and ICT. An interesting trend is the growing number of SMEs entering partnerships to expand into the US or European markets. Future prospects are in infrastructure, where PPP projects are increasing thanks to the newly created Infrastructure in Quebec, and clean-tech, due to the presence of Hydro Quebec, the world’s fourth-largest hydro-electricity producer. Contact: Natasha Gagnon at the British Consulate-General, Montreal, email natasha.gagnon@fco.gov.uk

CAPITAL DEFENCE OTTAWA is Canada’s capital city and centre for defence and security. The industry generates more than CDN$10bn a year in sales, 50 per cent of which is exported. There are opportunities to partner with local companies to win business in Canada, the US and worldwide. The government is a signifi cant purchaser of defence and security products and is constantly seeking new and innovative technologies. Opportunities exist in many areas, such as: • Major defence platforms – land, sea and air

MONEY MEN TORONTO, in Ontario, is Canada’s largest city and home to many major sectors, including fi nancial services, mining, automotive, construction, energy, retail and media. Canada’s banks weathered the recent economic downturn well, remaining profi table without government support. The industry, worth nearly CDN$3tn, is anchored by the ‘big six’ – Scotiabank, Bank of Montreal, Toronto Dominion Canada Trust, Royal Bank of Canada, the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and the National Bank of Canada. Canada has 18 nuclear units, 16 in Ontario, supplying half of the province’s electricity supply. Two new nuclear plants and the refurbishment of 10 others are scheduled over the next 20 years. Construction represents 12 per cent of GDP. Contact Sonya Svab at the British

Consulate-General in Toronto, email sonya.svab@fco.gov.uk

• Autonomous Intelligent Systems/ Unmanned Vehicle Systems

• Information sharing, interoperability and C4ISR

• Border security, including Arctic surveillance

• Police and prison services • Critical infrastructure protection • Airport, air transport, port and marine security • CCTV, alarm systems and biometrics Contact Bernadette Terry at the British High Commission in Ottawa, email bernadette_terry@bhcottawa.org

CLEAN-TECH CLUSTER VANCOUVER is emerging as a world leader in low-carbon industries and is home to a growing clean-tech sector. According to the British Columbia Clean Tech CEO Alliance, there are around 100 clean-tech companies in the province, worth about CDN$1bn annually, making it the third-largest cluster in the world. Mayor Gregor Robertson has ambitious plans for Vancouver to become the greenest city in the world through initiatives such as Greenest City 2020 and Vancouver Green Capital. Last year, during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, British Columbia held a number of demonstration projects and developed and showcased H2 technology and infrastructure with its Hydrogen Highway and fl eet of H2 and alternative fuel buses. UK Trade & Investment in

Vancouver is keen to promote UK expertise in the clean-tech arena and facilitate partnerships between UK and Canadian companies. Contact Tish Nicolls at the British Consulate-General in Vancouver, email tish.nicolls@fco.gov.uk

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