NEWS RELEASE

MEMBERS OF CANADA–U.S. IPG ATTEND U.S. GOVERNORS’ SUMMER MEETING

From 19–21 July 2018, Mr. Brian Masse, M.P., Vice-Chair of the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (IPG), led a delegation to the annual summer meeting of the National Governors Association (NGA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The other members of the delegation were Mr. Colin Carrie, M.P. and Mr. Randeep Sarai, M.P.

“The IPG’s Canadian Section always welcomes opportunities to speak with U.S. governors,” said Mr. Masse. “At this meeting, we were also pleased to hear presentations about NGA Chair Governor Sandoval’s innovation initiative. Certainly, innovation is important to the future prosperity of both Canada and the United States. Similarly, the initiative that has been selected by Montana Governor Bullock for his year as NGA Chair – good jobs – is a shared goal, and an area in which the two nations should work together given such realities as integrated supply chains and businesses operating in both countries.”

Mr. Masse concluded: “Of course, the presentations at the meeting on such other topics as racial equity in the workplace, the economic impact of the outdoor recreation sector, the opioid crisis, and automation were also instructive. I know that I speak on behalf of all members of the Canadian delegation in saying that what we learned will be useful to us in our legislative work.”

Founded more than a century ago when President Theodore Roosevelt gathered state governors in order to discuss the nation’s resources, the NGA is the collective voice of U.S. governors from the 50 states, three territories and two commonwealths. It is also a public policy organization that represents the governors on Capitol Hill and before the U.S. Administration on federal issues that affect them, and that develops and implements solutions to public policy challenges.

The views expressed in this news release are specific to the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States IPG. As such, they may not reflect the views of U.S. counterparts.

The Canada–United States IPG aims to find points of convergence in respective national policies, to initiate dialogue on points of divergence, to encourage the exchange of information and to promote better understanding among legislators on shared issues of concern. Additional information on the Group can be found at www.parl.gc.ca/iia/us.

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For further information:

Hon. Michael L. MacDonald, Senator, Co-Chair
Canada–U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group - 613-995-1866

Hon. Wayne Easter, P.C., M.P., Co-Chair
Canada–U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group - 613-992-2406

Ms. Miriam Burke, Association Secretary
Canada–U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group - 613-944-4238