Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Senator Charles Schumer says Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird has heeded his call and will keep a permanent Consular presence in Buffalo. The announcement comes days before the consulate office at HSBC Tower was to close.

“Given the fact that the Canadians have failed to reverse their unwise and counterproductive decision to close the consulate, securing boots on the ground to facilitate cross border commerce and more is a very positive result. The fact that the Consulate will have a continued presence in Buffalo is great news for preserving our trade and border relationship with our neighbor, and for promoting job growth and economic activity here in western New York,” said Schumer. “I was extremely disappointed that Canada suddenly and mistakenly closed their Buffalo consulate, and I immediately pushed  Canadian Foreign Minister Baird to establish at least a smaller part-time presence here -  I’m thrilled that he has heeded my call. This plan will be both cost-effective and will have enormously positive impacts on cross-border cooperation and commerce, as this plan allows Canada to work within its budgetary constraints to provide similar services to residents, businesses and border officials in Western New York, while using fewer resources. I will work hand-in-glove with Minister Baird and other Canadian officials to implement this plan with as large of a presence in Buffalo as possible, to make sure that business and travelers in Western NY have the services and resources that they need to move forward successfully in trade and border management with Canada.”

Schumer said in June the closure would damage upstate and Canadian businesses.

Final details are still being worked out about the number of staff and the hours of operation the Canadian Government has committed to provide to a smaller liaison office in Buffalo.