Angelenos could ask why Los Angeles needs to be any friendlier than it already is with Canada, since that country has long been taking film and TV production from here. Yet a local group has formed to tighten the business ties between California and Canada.

Actually, the goal of the new Canada California Business Council, based in Los Angeles, is to increase trade generally between Canada and California. That means plenty of Canadians want to do business here, too. In fact, 278 Canadian companies already have sizable operations in Los Angeles.

“There is a great need for an organization to focus on strengthening Canada-California ties in terms of trade and small business development,” said Jane Figueiredo, president of Canadians Abroad, the non-profit organization behind the council. Warner Bros. marketing executive Lee Fraser is spearheading the council.

To promote its cause, the council staged a speed networking event last week at downtown L.A.’s Bonaventure Hotel, which brought out 80 local business people some Canadian, some not.

The organization also is establishing a partnership with the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and recruiting members from Canadian companies with big operations here.

“There was a need for an organization that could advocate for favorable business frameworks,” Figueiredo said.