UUTENA TORONTOSSA?
Mitä kaupungin perinteinen suomalaiskenttä
voi tarjota tulokkaalle?
New honorary consul hopes to be useful
Patrick Brigham, the new honorary consul for Finland in Toronto, received his letter of appointment last Wednesday at the Granite Club in Toronto. Around 300 guests representing business as well as cultural circles were well entertained by Mr. Brigham who cracked more than a few jokes in his speech. The legal affairs committee of the Finnish parliament was also in attendance as the group happened to be on a parliamentary field trip in Ontario.
Successful businessman
Mr. Brigham is a well-known businessman and investor who has left his mark in the Canadian travel industry with the wholesale travel company Sunquest Vacations Ltd he founded over 30 years ago.
He has also served on numerouscompany boards. At the moment he sits on the board of directors of Energenius Inc, a company specializing in nanotechnology , as well as on the board of directors of the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA).
Important man for an important city
The Finnish ambassador Pasi Patokallio said in his speech that Mr. Brigham was chosen because he is known and respected in the city and because he “can get things done for us in Toronto”.
Mr. Patokallio also pointed out in his speech that Toronto is not just any Canadian city.
“Toronto is in many ways the centre of gravity of Canada. It is Canada’s economic, media and cultural capital”, he listed.
“The bar was set very high, but Patrick Brigham had no trouble at all leaping over it”, he continued.
“He’s a successful businessman, an active investor and a community leader”, Mr. Patokallio concluded.
Mr. Brigham told the audience that as a consul he plans on learning as much as he can “how to make it easier for Finns to live and work in Canada and to contribute to our nation politically, culturally and socially as well as in business.”
He told Vapaa Sana that he is not yet sure what kind of role he will take as a consul, though. What he does know is that cooperation with the Finnish ambassador will feature prominently, however.
“I hope I’m going to help the ambassador. However I can help, I will”.
He also assured to VS that he will not ignore the Finnish community in Toronto.
“I will listen to the consulate and take directions from them”, he said.
Virpi Oinonen, text and photos
Brigham greeting a guest.
Mr.
Brigham told Vapaa Sana that he he is doing lots of reading on Finland.
Next summer he will also travel to Finland with his family. In the front
Calgary Flames goalie Miikka Kiprusoff's jersey Mr. Brigham received as
a present.
The
legal affairs committee of the Finnish parliament paid a visit to Brigham's
reception. From left to right: Heli Paasio (social democrats), Susanna
Rahkonen.
