Connecticut’s French-Canadian Day: A celebration with deep roots

Every June 24^th, Connecticut celebrates its French-Canadian heritage — the first state in America to do so! Why? Because between the mid-1800s and early 1900s, thousands of Quebecers crossed the border for factory work, building communities and shaping the state’s culture. By 1900, an estimated 110,000 French Canadians called Connecticut home. French-Canadian Day isn’t just about history — it’s about honoring generations who helped power Connecticut’s economy and celebrating the shared traditions that still connect the state to its northern neighbors. Canada’s connection to Connecticut is not just its investments that create jobs, tourism that brings in local business, or Canada’s strong management of the border — it’s the deep history of Canadians and Americans partnering to make our towns and communities richer. From language and food to family ties, this day is a reminder that Connecticut and French Canada have been linked for over a century, and the bond is as strong as ever.

Fuel Cell accelerates clean energy for Canadians and Americans

Headquartered in Danbury, FuelCell Energy is a global leader in manufacturing stationary fuel cell energy platforms for decarbonizing power and producing hydrogen. FuelCell first established a Canadian presence in Alberta in 2012 and has steadily increased its footprint there over the years. FuelCell Energy is developing solid oxide cell and stack technology, with 50,000 cells produced locally and full small-scale production capabilities. The Calgary site employs 25 on-site employees and boasts 28 years of solid oxide development expertise — helping to fuel a fast-growing North American hydrogen economy. These Calgary operations bring innovation and increased sales to the Connecticut-based company.

Greenfield creates Connecticut jobs

Canadian industry investments create local jobs for Americans. Greenfield Global, based in Toronto, operates a 48,500-square-foot facility in Brookfield, Connecticut under its Pharmco brand. The site supplies high-purity alcohols, specialty solvents, and custom chemical solutions for life sciences and industrial applications, meeting ISO 9001:2015 and EXCiPACT GMP standards.

Recent investments have tripled production capacity for ethanol blends with water-for-injection to nearly 6,000 gallons and added advanced chromatography resin cleaning and regeneration services. The facility employs about 90 people serving over 1,800 customers annually, in specialized roles such as quality control and bioprocessing. This investment strengthens Connecticut’s position in the global biopharma supply chain.

Connecticut exports $2.1 billion in goods to Canada annually
Connecticut exports to Canada by industry

• Agriculture: 3%
• Chemicals: 5%
• Energy: 15%
• Equipment & machinery: 32%
• Minerals & metals: 9%
• Plastics & rubbers: 7%
• Transportation: 24%
• Other: 5%

Top Connecticut goods exports to Canada

• Aircraft & parts: $465 million
• Electricity: $282 million
• Plastics & plastic articles: $134 million
• Optical, medical & precision instruments: $87 million
• Compressors & pumps: $75 million
• Electric motors & generators: $42 million
• Copper & copper articles: $40 million
• Engines & turbines: $39 million
• Natural gas & other gases: $33 million
• Paper & paperboard: $28 million

Connecticut exports $2.1 billion in services to Canada annually
Top Connecticut services exports to Canada

• Business services: $873 million
• Travel (including for education): $397 million
• Financial services: $329 million
• Charges for the use of intellectual property: $230 million
• Insurance services: $128 million

Connecticut imports $5.7 billion in goods from Canada annually
Connecticut imports from Canada by industry

• Agriculture: 4%
• Energy: 12%
• Equipment & machinery: 8%
• Forest products: 3%
• Minerals & metals: 5%
• Transportation: 59%
• Other: 9%

Top Connecticut goods imports from Canada

• Aircraft & parts: $3.2 billion
• Fuel oil: $628 million
• Engines & turbines: $202 million
• Plastics & plastic articles: $111 million
• Automobiles: $86 million
• Copper & copper articles: $82 million
• Wood & semi-finished wood products: $80 million
• Optical, medical & precision instruments: $71 million
• Paper & paperboard: $59 million
• Aluminum & aluminum articles: $56 million