Mission notebook: Canadians love ‘Jersey Shore’ (the show, not the place)

Perhaps it was appropriate that the latest unofficial ROI-NJ survey was taken at the Lightbox, a theater complex in Toronto, during the Toronto International Film Festival. After all, the state is spending part of its economic mission to Canada working to bring more TV shows and movies to New Jersey.

So, we won’t take offense that, when a dozen or so Canadians were asked, “What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the words, ‘New Jersey,’ most said the same thing: “Jersey Shore.”

The follow-up question: The place or the show? It always had an unfortunate answer.

Yes, for all the wonderful things about the state, the cliché effort by MTV filled with the staged antics of a bunch of knuckleheads (most of whom were not from New Jersey) got the top billing.

Who know that Snooki would top the Sopranos … and even Sinatra.

Then again, for a state trying to lure more filming, the recognition may not be so bad.

If that’s the case, there were a few “The Sopranos” mentions — and even one for “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.”

Music? Frank Sinatra never came up. But Bruce Springsteen did. A few times. And there even was a mention of Jon Bon Jovi.

The New Jersey Devils? They came up a few times, too, but only as a reason to lament the lack of success of the hometown Toronto Maple Leafs.

In the end, we had two favorite answers.

One man, a trucker, said, “the Jersey barriers.”

Who knew our concrete slabs would make us famous?

“Everywhere I go, I see them — and I always think about New Jersey,” he said.

Perhaps, even when he’s driving on an island. That was our second favorite answer. One young woman thought New Jersey was, in fact, an island.

It wasn’t clear if she was thinking of Long Beach Island or Manhattan — or was just geographically challenged.

We moved on. And were delighted to find Courtney Field. The only person we found who loves Jersey for its food. She is a huge fan of … “Cake Boss.”

Alas, we can’t escape our image on TV. But, in this case, it was a good thing.

Field said, one trip where she landed in Newark, she and her friends took an Uber to the Cake Boss’ Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken.

We’ll consider it an economic boost from the TV industry. And a win for the state. After all, you know the situation around ROI-NJ unofficial polls, there are no wrong answers … unless you say, “Snooki.”

The schedule

What’s happening Tuesday

• Keynote opening speech at FinTech Forum by Finance Montreal
• Memorandum of Understanding signing between Stevens Institute of Technology and Finance Montreal
• New Jersey Single Location Promotion Roundtable, hosted by U.S. Consul General Robert Sanders
• MOU signing between BioNJ and BioQuebec
• Announcement regarding South Jersey Tech Park
• Roundtable with Innovobot, an investment platform firm
• Roundtable with IVADO, a software company that supports artificial intelligence initiatives
• Closing dinner (at Le Mount Stephen)

Strictly business

Canadian commerce

Canada was the second-largest source of foreign direct investment in the U.S. at the end of 2023, with Canada’s FDI totaling $749 billion for the year. Canadian companies historically have invested in the U.S. due to its vast consumer market, which offers diverse growth opportunities. And, while the proximity of the two countries obviously eases logistics and supply chain management issues, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement further reduces trade barriers, making U.S. market entry more accessible for Canadian businesses.

Canadian-owned businesses in the U.S. account for nearly 1 million jobs.

Quebec insights

Quebec is a global leader in the aerospace industry, with Montreal being one of the Top 3 aerospace hubs in the world. Major companies include Bombardier, Pratt & Whitney Canada and CAE.

Quebec has a thriving technology sector, with a focus on video game development, AI and software engineering. Montreal is recognized as a global AI hub. And Quebec is a world leader in renewable energy, particularly hydroelectric power, which supplies over 90% of the province’s electricity needs.

Montreal company with strong presence in N.J.

CGI: Founded in 1976, Montreal-based CGI is among the largest information technology and business consulting services firms in the world, with more than 90,000 employees worldwide. The company boosts secure and flexible end-to-end services, including business and strategic IT consulting, systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions.

The company touts its consulting capabilities, which help clients drive sustainable value, while its systems integration services advance clients’ IT modernization efforts. CGI’s managed IT and business process services help clients achieve cost savings and drive transformation, while its IP portfolio is embedded across all services to provide highly configurable “business platforms as a service,” including advanced AI capabilities.

Fun and games

Famous males from Montreal

It runs the gamut here. There’s no Second City, but there are Kevin McDonald and Dave Foley (of the unappreciated Kids in the Hall). More TV? Kevin O’Leary of “Shark Tank” hails from there. You want media: Try Robert MacNeil (of the “MacNeil/Lehrer Report”) or Mort Zuckerman (of U.S. News & World Report). Don’t forget hockey. Mario Lemieux and the only player with a higher goals-per-game average, Mike Bossy, hail from there. And, if you’re a musclehead, Joe Weider is your guy. Of course, one man in worlds ahead of all others: William Shatner.

Devil of the day

It’s Canada, so we’re talking hockey. There’s a reason there is a statue of Martin Brodeur in front of the Prudential Center. Sure, the team had an incredible defense, but that’s not the only reason he seemingly holds every significant record for goalies (not for the New Jersey Devils, for the NHL). And it’s certainly not the reason why he scored an NHL-record three goals (including one in the playoffs). The three-time champion always will be the greatest player in team history.