New Jersey Economic Mission Trip to Canada Daily Recap – September 7 & 8

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s Message to Canada:

In a world filled with uncertainty, the bond between New Jersey and Canada is stronger than ever before. Together we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to pioneer a new century of discovery and prosperity.

Toronto, Canada –  Governor Phil Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and the New Jersey delegation arrived in Canada this weekend, kicking off Choose New Jersey’s four-day Governor-led economic mission. The economic mission will bolster collaboration between the State of New Jersey and Canada, highlighting the thriving partnership shared between the two governments. The delegation spent Saturday in the Canadian Capital of Ottawa and Sunday in Toronto.

Governor Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy Meet Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Reaffirm Sister State Agreement Between New Jersey and Ontario

Governor Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy met with the Premier of Ontario Douglas Robert Ford Jr. The visit signals the fostering of closer ties between New Jersey and Ontario. At the conclusion of the meeting, Governor Murphy and Premier Ford participated in a signing ceremony, reaffirming the sister state agreement between New Jersey and Ontario. Governor Murphy said this agreement, “will bring together our workers, innovators, students, and entrepreneurs so they can collaborate on launching new industries and creating new economic opportunities on both sides of the border. But most of all, this agreement will capitalize on the proud and thriving partnership that New Jersey and Ontario have already shared for decades.” The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizes the shared commitments and further strengthens the bilateral relationship between the Province of Ontario and the State of New Jersey, continuing a relationship that was established in 2005 when Ontario and New Jersey first signed an MOU.

Read the Press Release.

Governor Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy will meet with the leadership team of ApplyBoard and Passage

Governor Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and the New Jersey delegation met with the leadership team of ApplyBoard, a Canadian educational technology company, one of the world’s largest online platforms for international student recruitment, and one of the fastest-growing technology companies in Canada. They also met with the Passage leadership team. Passage is an online platform designed to match international students with financial support and a streamlined application process to help accelerate their arrival in Canada. Passage is currently focusing on bringing nurses to North America. The Governor and First Lady emphasized the state’s commitment to supporting international talent and easing the transition for healthcare professionals. The meetings with ApplyBoard and Passage align with New Jersey’s broader strategy to foster innovation, attract top talent, and strengthen the education and healthcare sectors by leveraging international partnerships.

Governor Murphy Showcases New Jersey’s Thriving Film and Media Industry at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)

Governor Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy hosted a reception at TIFF promoting New Jersey’s booming film and media industry. New Jersey has seen record-breaking growth in recent years. Netflix announced a nearly $1 billion investment to build its East Coast flagship production studio at Fort Monmouth, Lionsgate is building a major studio in Newark, and the largest ground-up movie studio complex in North America, 1888 Studios, will soon call Bayonne home. This year’s festival features six films that were made in New Jersey: Deny Gallagher’s Americano, Edward Burns’s Millers in Marriage, Dito Montiel’s Riff Raff, Steven Soderbergh’s Presence, David Mackenzie’s Relay, and Pedro Almodovar’s The Room Next Door. “New Jersey is not just where the film industry was born — it is where the industry’s future is being built every single day,” said Governor Murphy during his remarks. “From our best-in-the-nation film incentive program…to our cutting-edge resources and eclectic geography…to our incredibly talented and experienced industry professionals, New Jersey is a dream come true for filmmakers and creators.”

Read the Press Release.

Governor Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy Attend the World Premiere of New Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Documentary, ‘Road Diary’

On Sunday evening, Governor Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, and the New Jersey delegation attended the world premiere of Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto’s entertainment district. The documentary featured Springsteen’s moments from the Springsteen & E Street World Tour, including behind-the-scenes footage of band rehearsals and backstage moments spanning from Red Bank, New Jersey to performances across the world. The documentary was directed by award-winning director, longtime Springsteen collaborator, and New Jersey-native Thom Zimny.

Please visit choosenj.com/CanadaMission to learn more, and follow coverage of the Choose New Jersey Governor-led Mission to Canada.