Visit to the Midwest of the United States of America - Day 2

On April 27, 2015, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, met with the Honourable Mark Dayton, Governor of Minnesota, to discuss the strong, multi-faceted relationship between Canada and Minnesota.

Later in the afternoon, the Governor General met with key Canadian and U.S. influencers within the agriculture innovation sector.

Late in the evening, the Governor General arrived in Chicago, Illinois, to undertake a one-day visit on April 28. Upon his arrival, he was greeted by Roy Norton, Consul General of Canada in Chicago.

For 60 years, as Minnesota’s Door to the World, the MIC has provided rich and varied opportunities for individuals from Minnesota and around the world to serve as citizen diplomats and to gain a deeper understanding of their place in the world community. Working with local, national and international partners, MIC creates conversations across cultures in communities and classrooms throughout Minnesota. As a graduate school of public policy and planning, the Humphrey School of Public Affairs inspires, educates and supports innovative leaders to advance the common good in a diverse world.

The event was held at the University of Minnesota and was co-organized with the Minnesota International Center (MIC) and the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. His Excellency is seen here with Carol Engebretson Byrne, President, Minnesota International Center.

His address was followed by a question-and-answer period with the audience.

His Excellency ended his day in Minneapolis-St. Paul with a public address on Canada and Minnesota’s shared history, culture, values and priorities, and how our two societies need to work together to meet the challenges of a changing world.

The Economic Club of Minnesota provides a high-profile, non-partisan platform for national and international leaders in business, government and public policy to present their ideas on how Minnesota can better compete in the global economy and how America can most effectively provide world leadership on economic and strategic issues.

His address was followed by a question-and-answer period with the audience.

"It’s so important that we succeed in strengthening our ties in this part of the continent. Why? Because it’s becoming increasingly clear that regions will be key factors in our well-being and prosperity in the years to come. Indeed they already are," said His Excellency.

His Excellency then delivered an address during a luncheon organised by the Economic Club of Minnesota on the need to share knowledge across borders and disciplines in today’s world to meet complex, interrelated challenges.

The event was held at the University of Minnesota.

The theme of the round table was Canada’s strengths in teaching and research, the advantages of partnerships between American and Canadian institutions, and the challenges of fostering higher education.

The Governor General then took part in a discussion with representatives of public and private universities in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota.

The discussion focused on cross-border strengths and challenges in agricultural innovation, research, funding and government programs, and to identify opportunities for collaboration between Canada and the Upper Midwest U.S.