CANADIAN
PARLIAMENTARIANS ATTEND SUMMER MEETING OF U.S. WESTERN GOVERNORS
From 24–26 June 2015, the Canadian Section of the Canada–United
States Inter-Parliamentary Group (IPG) was represented at the 2015 summer
meeting of the Western Governors’ Association (WGA) by Senators Jane Cordy,
Percy Downe and Michael L. MacDonald, Vice-Chair. The meeting was held in Lake
Tahoe, Nevada.
“Like previous WGA meetings, the 2015 summer meeting
provided members of the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States IPG with
an excellent opportunity to continue to build our relationships with the United
States’ western governors. Certainly, Canada’s western provinces and the United
States’ western states share certain similarities and challenges, and it is
important that the provinces and states work together as the need arises.
Relationships are a critical aspect of working together collaboratively,” said
Senator MacDonald.
Senator MacDonald concluded: “The summer meeting’s
roundtable discussions on drought, transportation networks and energy, as well
as the comments by Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and former Secretary
of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt, provided interesting insights,
including in areas where Canada and the United States share common cause and
should consider working together more closely for the prosperity of both
countries.”
The WGA includes the governors from 19 western states, as
well as from American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. The
Canadian premiers from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba
also participate in the WGA’s activities. More information on the WGA can be
found at www.westgov.org.
The views expressed in this news release are specific to the
Canadian Section of the Canada-United States IPG and, as such, 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.
Janis Johnson, Senator, Co-Chair
Canada–U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group - 613-943-1430
Mr. Gord Brown, M.P., Co-Chair
Canada–U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group - 613-992-8756
Mrs. Miriam Burke, Association Secretary
Canada–U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group - 613-944-4238