Report

DELEGATION MEMBERS AND STAFF

From July 29-30, 2020, Kerry Diotte, vice-chair of the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group, attended the 73^rd annual meeting of the Council of State Governments – West (CSG West) by video conference along with Members of Parliament Ziad Aboultaif, Fayçal El-Khoury, Tim Louis and Michael Levitt. Members were supported by Mr. Brett Capwell, Advisor to the Canadian Section.

COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS – WEST

CSG West is a nonpartisan organization comprising the legislatures of the United States’ 13 western states (see Appendix A), as well as British Columbia and Alberta as associate members. It meets annually in the United States, with two exceptions to date (Edmonton, Alberta in 2012 and virtually in 2020). CSG West is governed by an executive committee and is subdivided into 11 policy-specific groups and committees.

THE EVENT

Due to the impact of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic across North America, CSG West hosted its 73^rd Annual Meeting virtually from July 29-30, 2020. The meeting included the following 18 concurrent subject matter–specific panels as well as a number of networking sessions:

• New Challenges for Fire Fighting in the West
• Pros, Cons and In Between of Bail Reform
• The Role of Legislatures in Police Reform
• The Future of Work in a Post COVID-19 Environment
• Reviewing Benefits of Electrification in the Energy Sector
• Keeping Public Safety Professionals Connected
• Advanced Recycling: Confronting the Challenge of Plastic Waste
• Celebrating the ADA: A Look Forward to the Next 30 Years
• Improving Community Connections with Broadband
• Funding Education During a Recession
• Strengthening the Justice System through Lessons Learned
• Navigating Changes to Governance of the Colorado River
• Using Social Determinants to Improve Public Health and Care
• Reassessing the Tax Equivalent Commitment for PILT and Its Impact on the West
• Components of Effective Depredation Programs
• Expanding Automotive Safety Efforts
• Healing State Economies Impacted by COVID-19
• The Rush to Develop the Coronavirus Vaccine
• Laying Out the Legislative Welcome Mat for Blockchain
• Roundtable on State Executive Emergency Powers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

CANADA RELATIONS COMMITTEE

In addition, the Canada Relations Committee met on the topic of “Neighbors Navigating a Pandemic,” which discussed such matters as the mutually agreed land-border closure to nonessential travel and the corresponding effects on bilateral trade. It was noted that a 15%-20% decrease in commercial traffic has occurred since the land-border closure; this is likely due to the overall economic slowdown. The presenter, Christopher Sands of the Wilson Center, emphasized that the manner in which governments define “essential travel” may have disproportionate impacts on certain businesses or sectors, and should be mindful of creating economic “winners” and “losers.” Furthermore, it was discussed that while COVID-19 testing administered at the border is being given considerable thought, this approach seems unfeasible given the design and operations of current land-border crossings.

Respectfully submitted,