The President of the Government, Vasco Cordeiro, met last Thursday with Kathleen Wynne, Premier of the province of Ontario, where an important community of Azorean descent resides. The meeting, held in Toronto, was intended to analyse some matters related to the Azorean community and consider the possibility of collaboration between both region in various areas.

During the meeting with the main policy official of a province where residents of Azorean origin make up two-thirds of the Portuguese community, Vasco Cordeiro addressed the main characteristics of the Azores, with special emphasis on the economic sector. In this context, the President of the Government highlighted the good situation of the Azores in terms of public finances.

The challenge of youth employment and, in particular, of youth employment was one of the concerns raised by the President of the Government, who considered the possibility of an exchange of experiences between the Azores and Ontario, taking into account the possibility to improve the fight against this social scourge in both regions.

The President of the Government also defended the need to improve the school level of youngsters of Azorean descent and, in particular, the need to combat early school dropout in the Azorean community, emphasising that Education is the key to success.

Moreover, Vasco Cordeiro restated the importance of a greater involvement of the Azorean community in the life of the Canadian society. According to him, "the best way of being a good Azorean in Canada is to be a good Canadian."

The President of the Government invited Kathleen Wynne to visit the Azores. The invitation was accepted by the Premier of Ontario.