NEWS RELEASE

Canadian Parliamentarians attend Winter
Meeting of U.S. Governors

From 24–26 February 2017, Senator Michael L. MacDonald, Co-Chair and the Honourable Wayne Easter, P.C., M.P., Co-Chair led a delegation from the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group to the annual winter meeting of the National Governors Association (NGA) in Washington, D.C. The other members of the delegation were Senator Terry Mercer, Mr. Randy Hoback, M.P. and Mr. Brian Masse, M.P., Vice-Chair. The delegation was accompanied by Ms. Miriam Burke, the Canadian Section’s Executive Secretary, and Ms. June Dewetering, Senior Advisor to the Canadian Section.

“I know that I speak on behalf of the delegation in saying how pleased we were to have an opportunity to speak with so many governors at the NGA’s winter meeting. We were able to continue relationships with some of the governors, and begin relationships with a number of others,” said Mr. Easter. “Certainly, we welcome the chance to inform them about the amount and value of trade between their state and Canada, as well as about tourism and tourism-related spending in local U.S. economies.”

Senator MacDonald concluded: “I echo my colleague’s sentiments, and would add that the presentations made to the governors at the winter and summer meetings are generally topical for Canada as well. We routinely gain useful information that informs our legislative work in Ottawa, and discussions about such topics as confronting cyber challenges, the potential implementation of an infrastructure bank, and the importance of civic engagement in democratic processes have relevance for both of our countries.”

Founded in 1908 when President Theodore Roosevelt gathered state governors in order to discuss the nation’s resources, the National Governors Association 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. More information about the NGA can be found at: www.nga.org.

It should be noted that the views expressed in this news release are specific to the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group. As such, they may not reflect the views of U.S. counterparts.

The Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group 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 can be found at www.parl.gc.ca/iia/us.

-30-

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