FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2011

Stowe, Vt. - Rep. Heidi E. Scheuermann (R-Stowe) is one of eight state legislators from around the country who have been invited by the Embassy of Canada to participate in its 6th Annual Rising State Leaders program. The program, sponsored by the Embassy of Canada in Washington D.C., will take place from June 19 - 29, 2011.

Launched in 2006, the Rising State Leaders program has provided outstanding state leaders an opportunity to participate in a 10 day working tour of Canada, experiencing unique and memorable activities and meeting with Canadian counterparts, business contacts, and cultural representatives.

The 2011 program will focus on Western Canada, beginning in Ottawa and travelling on to Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Yukon and Alberta. In coordination with provincial partners, the program is built to foster relationships with U.S. leaders at the state level while providing selected candidates with a deeper understanding of the remarkable U.S.-Canada relationship.

"I am honored to have been invited by our Canadian neighbors to participate in this important program," said Representative Scheuermann. "The State of Vermont and Canada share a long history and a deep cultural heritage. Though mostly focused on, and associated with the Province of Quebec at this time, the continued growth of this relationship with our neighbors to the north is critical to our state’s economic development.

"During the course of the visit, we will be focusing on issues of importance to all of our states and provinces. From energy and trade to tourism, as a member of the House Commerce Committee I am looking forward to forging new relationships that could benefit our great state."

Currently 19,300 jobs in the Green Mountain State depend on the Canada-Vermont trade relationship, which is valued at $3.6 billion.