YORK is set to go mad for all things Canadian in the city's latest bid to market its international business and culture links.

A dynamic mix of events ranging from commerce and education, to arts and crafts, comes to the city as part of Canada Days.

Canadian High Commissioner Jeremy Kinsman wants the people of York to look beyond moose, mountains and Mounties when they consider the North American country.

Events around the city include films at City Screen, exhibitions at the Art Gallery, wine tastings and seminars.

"We decided to launch in York because of some distinctive synergies," said Mr Kinsman.

"Both Canada and York have traditional images that are so strong they overwhelm today's changed reality."

Anna Rooke, of the economic development group in York, said: "This again places York in the international spotlight.

"York and Canada mirror-image each others cultural and social links, diversifying modern economies, talented workforce and a proactive approach towards building partnerships.

"This is only the beginning. The unique opportunity about Canada Days is that it is the start of an on-going relationship with the Canadian High Commission and the City, particularly focusing on York-Canadian business partnerships."

The week will be launched with an opening ceremony and jazz dinner at the Merchant Taylors' Hall and the events will lead up to the annual meeting of the British Association of Canadian Studies at the University of York from April 5 to 8.

The meeting is expected to attract more than 100 academics from all over the country and abroad. Its theme for the year 2001 is Odysseys.

Two exhibitions at the City Art Gallery will run through the week, a display of five works by Montreal artist Jean-Paul Riopelle and a video installation by Lisa Steele and Kim Tomszak, who will talk about their work next Monday and Tuesday at 12.30pm.

Canadian films at the City Screen include Family Viewing, Last Night, 32nd August on Earth, The Hanging Garden, Suspicious River, Crash, Maelstrom, Exotica, eXistenZ, Formulas for Seduction: The Cinema of Atom Egoyan and The Sweet Hereafter.

For more information about the week's events, telephone the Canadian High Commission on 0800 085 6405.

Updated: 12:17 Tuesday, March 27, 2001