Title
Three-Year Membership with Canada Arizona Business Council - Citywide
Description
Request the Economic Development and the Arts Subcommittee recommend City Council approval to pay membership dues to Canada Arizona Business Council (CABC) for January 2027 through December 2029 in the amount of $25,000 annually, for a total amount not to exceed $75,000. Funding is available in the Community and Economic Development's International Strategies budget.
THIS ITEM IS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
Report
Summary
The City entered into its first one-year membership with the CABC in 2014. Three-year memberships, at $25,000 annually, were subsequently approved by the City Council in January 2018, December 2020, and December 2023. With nearly 100 members representing the private sector, economic development organizations, municipalities and trade organizations from Arizona and Canada, the CABC facilitates cross-border business relationships and investment opportunities connecting Arizona and Canadian companies, government leaders, and economic development organizations.
In 2025, Arizona both exported and imported approximately $2.8 billion in goods with Canada, which remains Arizona’s third-largest merchandise export market. The opening of Canada’s Consulate in Phoenix in June 2026 and the Arizona Commerce Authority’s Canada Trade and Investment Office further strengthen opportunities for bilateral trade, foreign direct investment, and business development.
More than 500 Canadian-owned or controlled companies operate in Arizona across a wide range of sectors including retail (Circle K, owned by Alimentation Couche-Tard), engineering (Stantec), financial services (BMO), water utilities (EPCOR), and commercial real estate (Colliers) (Attachment A). This presence reflects the depth and diversity of Canadian business activity in the region.
The CABC has also focused significant effort on expanding air service connectivity between Arizona and Canada. In 2026, WestJet announced an increase to 61 weekly flights from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for the winter season and Porter Airlines announced expanded service to Canadian destinations. Other CABC strategic initiative include workforce development, North American supply chain integration, advancing manufacturing, air service connectivity, foreign direct investment, and critical minerals and mining.
Renewal of the City's CABC membership will continue to provide access to critical Canadian foreign direct investment intelligence, data, trends, and business opportunities. This information is essential to strengthening Phoenix’s economic development relationships and enhancing the City’s competitive position within the Canadian market.
If approved, the City's three-year membership will be valid through December 2029.
Financial Impact
Membership dues are $25,000 annually, for a total amount not to exceed $75,000 over the course of three years. Funds are available in the Community and Economic Development Department's International Strategies budget.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The City Council approved the 2024-2026 CABC membership on December 13, 2023 (Ordinance S-50428).
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Ginger Spencer and the Community and Economic Development Department.