The tree for Boston: Allies in times of crisis

Every November, a majestic evergreen makes a 700-mile journey from Nova Scotia to Boston Common, a gift rooted in a history of partnership. In December 1917 during WWI, two ships — one laden with explosives — collided in Halifax Harbor, causing a huge explosion that devastated Halifax.

Approximately 2,000 people were killed and another 9,000 were injured. Boston learned of the explosion by telegraph and immediately sent a train North – travelling through a blizzard to bring doctors, nurses, food, and supplies to Halifax. With the Canadian federal government and military’s resources tied up in War efforts, first responders from Boston were among the first to arrive.

Nova Scotians never forgot that kindness. As a token of gratitude, Halifax gifted a Christmas tree to Boston the next year. Since 1971, the Province of Nova Scotia has delivered the official Christmas tree to Boston Common, an annual reminder of how allies become lifelines for one another in times of crisis.

The Canadian Tree for Boston also boosts Boston’s holiday economy, drawing thousands downtown and increasing foot traffic for shops and restaurants. Promoted as part of Boston’s “Holiday Lights Trail,” it attracts visitors from across New England, supporting hotels, dining, and retail during the critical holiday season.

Bay State Milling and Saskatchewan oats: A model of North American integration

Founded in Boston in 1899, Bay State Milling began with a simple mission: to provide families with flour they could trust. Since then, the company has grown into the largest family-owned, privately held grain miller in the United States, operating 12 facilities nationwide. In 2017, Bay State Milling extended its reach north of the border, acquiring a stake in Saskatchewan-based MGM Seed & Grain, adding gluten-free oats to their portfolio of grain-based ingredients. This partnership culminated in the commissioning of a state-of-the-art oat processing facility and the construction of a purity protocol gluten-free oat supply chain in Saskatoon, the heart of Canada’s prairie oat belt. By 2025, Bay State Milling had ownership of the facility and invested in an expansion to double the plant’s capacity, ensuring Canadian farmers and processors could meet the surging demand for gluten-free foods across North America. Their Saskatoon facility produces identity-preserved, gluten-free oats, sold under the brand name PurelySown® Purity Protocol Oats, with more than 60% exported to the United States. This flow of Canadian oats into American households highlights the agricultural trade ties between the two nations and our work to build sustainable food systems across borders.

Connecting Massachusetts to Canadian hydropower

The New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC) transmission line began commercial operations in 2026, delivering renewable, reliable Canadian hydropower (from Hydro-Québec) capable of powering one million homes across New England — about 20% of Massachusetts’ annual electricity demand. Each year, NECEC will displace 3 million tons of carbon emissions, equivalent to taking 700,000 gas-powered cars off the road. By strengthening connections between U.S. and Canadian electric grids, NECEC enhances North American energy security and grid reliability for communities in Massachusetts and for businesses who rely on affordable energy.

Massachusetts exports $3.1 billion in goods to Canada annually
Massachusetts exports to Canada by industry

• Agriculture: 8%
• Chemicals: 14%
• Energy: 3%
• Equipment & machinery: 44%
• Forest products: 5%
• Minerals & metals: 10%
• Plastics & rubbers: 7%
• Transportation: 6%
• Other: 3%

Top Massachusetts goods exports to Canada

• Optical, medical & precision instruments: $482 million
• Computers: $328 million
• Plastics & plastic articles: $215 million
• Pharmaceutical products: $205 million
• Aircraft & parts: $149 million
• Paper & paperboard: $132 million
• Fish & crustaceans: $92 million
• Electricity: $73 million
• Telephones & AV recording equipment: $72 million
• Nickel & nickel articles: $69 million

Massachusetts exports $3.0 billion in services to Canada annually
Top Massachusetts services exports to Canada

• Business services: $1.0 billion
• Travel (including for education): $623 million
• Charges for the use of intellectual property: $584 million
• Financial services: $498 million
• Insurance services: $98 million

Massachusetts imports $10.0 billion in goods from Canada annually
Massachusetts imports from Canada by industry

• Agriculture: 27%
• Chemicals: 3%
• Energy: 36%
• Equipment & machinery: 7%
• Forest products: 9%
• Minerals & metals: 7%
• Plastics & rubbers: 3%
• Other: 8%

Top Massachusetts goods imports from Canada

• Fuel oil: $2.5 billion
• Fish & crustaceans: $1.6 billion
• Natural gas & other gases: $1.0 billion
• Meat, fish & seafood preparations: $398 million
• Paper & paperboard: $384 million
• Plastics & plastic articles: $342 million
• Pearls, gems, precious metals & jewelry: $303 million
• Wood & semi-finished wood products: $249 million
• Softwood lumber: $225 million
• Furniture & bedding: $159 million