MLA Wright promoting U.S. partnership at PNWER conference

Posted on February 6, 2025 by Ryan Dahlman

Southern Alberta Newspapers

MLAs will visit Salem, Ore. from Feb. 3 to 6 to rally support for fortifying Alberta-U.S. ties that will promote prosperity on both sides of the border.

Shane Getson, MLA for Lac. Ste. Anne-Parkland and Justin Wright, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat will spearhead this mission to the U.S. as they rejoin U.S. legislators and officials for the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) 2025 capital visits. Their time in Salem will build on conversations that MLAs had with key decision makers and delegates during the first round of PNWER Capital Visits held throughout the month of January.

MLAs Getson and Wright will help to reinforce conversations that Premier Smith had with lawmakers and officials in the U.S. capital during the week of President Trump’s inauguration, further solidifying Alberta as the answer to North American energy, food and data security.

“I look forward to this opportunity to lend my voice to the important conversation we are having with our U.S. friends and allies as Alberta’s government continues its efforts to enhance this important trade relationship and promote the common interests that bring Albertans and Americans together,” said Wright.

While in Salem, MLAs Getson and Wright will participate in meetings with state leadership, Pacific Northwest legislators, academia and corporate leaders to promote the valuable role Alberta can play in supporting North American energy dominance. Other priority topics will include addressing border issues, securing supply chains and economic corridors, and enhancing mutually beneficial trade and investment that will ensure our economies churn out the jobs and goods Americans and Canadians rely on.

PNWER is a non-partisan, public/private partnership that was established in 1991 to advance the economic well-being, quality of life and common interests of its 10 member jurisdictions, which include the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Washington, the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan, and the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

Mission expenses will be posted on the travel and expense disclosure page.

Quick Facts

• The U.S. is Alberta’s largest trading partner and Alberta is the second-largest provincial exporter to the U.S.

• In 2023, Alberta’s exports to the U.S. totalled C$156 billion, accounting for about 90 per cent of total provincial exports in 2023.

• Energy products accounted for about C$127.5 billion, or 82 per cent, of the province’s exports to the U.S.

– Other important export sectors included plastics, forestry, meat and machinery.

• In 2023, Alberta imported about C$25.8 billion in products from the U.S., including energy, machinery, aircrafts, vehicles and plastics.

• The Pacific Northwest is an important trade region for Alberta. In 2023, bilateral trade between Alberta and the PNWER U.S. member states totalled C$25.7 billion.