Toronto Diaspora Series: An Influential Pakistani-Canadian

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TORONTO 000239 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL SCUL KISL PK CA SUBJECT: Toronto Diaspora Series: An Influential Pakistani-Canadian Community REF: (A) Toronto 93 (B) Toronto 200 TORONTO 00000239 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: In a reception held in his honor, the new Pakistani CG in Toronto praised Toronto's Pakistani community and the important role it has played in promoting trade with Canada and development in Pakistan. The Canadian Pakistani Business Council (CPBC),the organization that hosted the event, has spent more than 20 years engaging Canadian politicians and leaders to deepen ties with Pakistan. In the past decade, the Council has led a number of trade missions to Pakistan, and in 2007, facilitated the signing of a cooperation agreement between the province of Ontario and the Pakistani province of Punjab. The CPBC has contributed to the Pakistani diaspora's success and influence in Canada. END SUMMARY. -------------- Praise for the Pakistani-Canadian Community -------------- ¶2. (U) On September 24, the Canadian Pakistani Business Council (CPBC) held a welcome reception for the new Pakistani Consul General, Sahebzada A. Khan, who had arrived in Toronto in August. The CPBC reception provided an opportunity for Mr. Khan to meet with local business leaders and politicians, including Liberal Canadian MP Jim Karygiannis, who was among the evening's special guests. In his remarks to the audience, Mr. Khan noted the Pakistani-Canadian community's influence and praised CPBC for the important role it has played in promoting trade and economic growth in Pakistan through events such as the one that evening. -------------- An Influential Pakistani-Canadian Organization -------------- ¶3. (U) The Canadian Pakistani Business Council (CPBC) serves as a de-facto chamber of commerce promoting trade between Canada and Pakistan. The CBPC was founded in Montreal in 1983 by Pakistani immigrants, and in 1996 it moved its headquarters to Toronto, which is home to 75 per cent (76,000) of Canada's total Pakistani immigrant population. Through its many events, the CPBC brings together Canadian officials and business leaders with visiting Pakistani officials, to promote investment opportunities in Pakistan, ranging from oil refineries to five-star hotels. CPBC has relationships with both government entities and business groups, including the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Export Development Canada, and has signed a MoU with the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters to promote bilateral trade between Canada and Pakistan. ¶4. (U) In the past decade, the CPBC has organized a number of trade missions to Pakistan. Most recently, in 2007, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, accompanied by Ontario's first Pakistani-Canadian Member of Provincial Parliament, Dr. Shafiq Qaadri, traveled to Pakistan and signed a joint statement with Punjab province. The statement declared the two provinces' intention to "enhance, exchange and expand cooperation." ¶5. (U) Despite these efforts, trade between Pakistan and Canada remains quite small. In 2008, Pakistani imports and exports as a percentage of the Canadian total equaled 0.06% and .12%, respectively. Traditionally, the largest export industries from Pakistan have been textiles and clothing. However, in his remarks Pakistani CG Khan spoke of his government's goal of dramatically increasing trade between Canada and Pakistan. He asked for CPBC's help to steer investment towards new areas, including technology and infrastructure. ¶6. (U) Comment: The CPBC has been actively building partnerships and relationships with both Canadian and Pakistani politicians over the years to create opportunities for Pakistani-Canadian businesses, while also focusing on its stated goal of improving conditions in Pakistan. The Council is just one of many Canadian-Pakistani organizations that has facilitated the diaspora's integration and influence in Canada. A wealth of networks and organizations has made Pakistani-Canadians one of the more successful immigrant groups in Canada. ¶7. (U) Comment Continued: While the older generation of Pakistani-Canadians has felt an impetus to employ their connections for the benefit of their home country, the next generation of Pakistani-Canadians (born in Canada) may not feel as strong a fealty to their ancestral home. Younger Pakistani-Canadians do feel cultural ties to Pakistan however; they have an equally strong cultural connection to Canada, and their day to day concerns and TORONTO 00000239 002.2 OF 002 attention center on their lives in Canada. JOHNSON