Inauguration of Consulate of Canada in Milan and Appointment of Honorary Consul

May 23, 2013 - The Government of Canada today inaugurated a consulate in Milan for the regions of Liguria, Piemonte, Valle d’Aosta, Lombardia, Trentino-Alto Adige, Emilia Romagna and Veneto, with Ezio Maria Simonelli appointed as honorary consul. The official ribbon-cutting and inauguration took place at the consulate offices in the presence of the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of International Cooperation, James Fox, Ambassador of Canada to Italy, and Mr. Simonelli.

“The new consulate in Milan is a concrete expression of Canada’s commitment to strengthening its long-standing ties with Italy,” said Minister Fantino. “As well as assisting Canadians in need, the consulate will serve to reinforce the already-deep commercial, academic, cultural and people-to-people bonds between Canada and northern Italy.”

Following the ribbon-cutting, the Canadian delegation met with Giuliano Pisapia, Mayor of Milan, at Palazzo Marino, Milan’s city hall.

Almost 8,000 Canadians reside within the jurisdiction of the new consulate, and close to 57,000 visit the area every year. In addition, Canada’s private sector has long-standing and important links throughout northern Italy, collaborating with Italian partners and increasing bilateral trade and investment. The opening of the consulate will permit even closer collaboration between Canada and the region, building on the existing strong trade and two-way investment foundations and vibrant science and technology, academic and private-public partnerships. 

Honorary Consul Simonelli brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He is managing partner and founding member of Simonelli Associati, a tax-law firm in Milan. As a chartered accountant, auditor and freelance journalist, Mr. Simonelli has held top-level assignments in the professional world and authored numerous articles and other published works. Mr. Simonelli is a professor and member of the scientific committee of the post-graduate course on tax law and practice of the Sole 24 Ore newspaper’s training centre. Since 2004, he has been responsible for the fiscal news page of the Magazine of Chartered Accountants. A sports enthusiast, he is chairman of the audit committee of the Italian Serie A and Serie B soccer leagues. Mr. Simonelli’s extensive professional experience and understanding of the local business climate will ensure that he provides an effective voice for Canada in northern Italy.

The consulate will deliver consular services to Canadians living in and travelling through the regions of accreditation. It will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday to Friday. Contact information follows:

Consulate of Canada in Milan
3 Piazza Cavour, 6th floor
20121 Milan
Italy

Telephone: +39 02 6269 4238
Fax: +39 02 2901 3600
Email: consul.canada.milan@gmail.com

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Daniel Bezalel Richardsen
Press Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation
Telephone: 819-953-6238
Email: danielbezalel.richardsen@acdi-cida.gc.ca

Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
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