The 31st Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) Annual Summit offers legislators, business leaders and policy experts from the United States and Western Canada the chance to meet, strengthen relationships and explore solutions to common challenges. This year’s summit will focus on a broad range of topics – from border issues, water policy, invasive species and pandemic recovery to energy security, trade, agriculture, transportation and infrastructure.
“We have benefited greatly from our strong relationships with our neighbours in the Pacific Northwest. The PNWER summit is an excellent opportunity to meet face to face, reinforce those relationships and look for effective solutions to the challenges we face.”
About 450 delegates will take part in the summit virtually and in person. During the event, participating Alberta ministers and MLAs will showcase the province as a prime location to live, work, visit, do business and invest. Delegates will have the opportunity to take part in activities in the greater Calgary region that display the increasing diversification of Alberta’s economy, including a demonstration of a hydrogen-powered locomotive, a film and television industry tour and visits to Olds College, a livestock operation and a biofuels facility.
David Cohen, U.S. ambassador to Canada, and Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., will contribute to conversations about U.S.-Canada relations. Among those also participating in the summit are Jobs, Economy and Innovation Minister Doug Schweitzer, Environment and Parks Minister Whitney Issik, Energy Minister Sonya Savage, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development Nate Horner and Associate Minister of Natural Gas and Electricity Dale Nally.
“PNWER's 31st Annual Summit provides us unparalleled opportunities to collaborate. The Canadian and U.S. Pacific Northwest are blessed with rich natural and human resources that provide an incredible foundation for economic cooperation, security of supply and world-leading practices in sustainability. As a region, we are stronger together in navigating our way in a post-pandemic world."
“It is incredibly important that we continue to work together and use one strong regional voice so we can achieve our objectives and make life better for the people we serve. I look forward to productive discussions and to highlighting for our partners everything that Alberta has to offer.”
PNWER is a regional multilateral forum that brings together legislative, government and private sector leaders from Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska to advance policies that promote economies in the region. Alberta is a founding member of the organization, which was formed in 1991.
Quick facts
- In 2021, bilateral trade between Alberta and the PNWER region was approximately US$14.7 billion (C$18.9 billion).
- In 2021, Alberta exports to the region:
- totalled US$13.2 billion (C$16.9 billion)
- included agriculture and agri-food, chemicals and plastics, manufacturing, forestry products, energy, metals and minerals
- If PNWER was a nation, it would be the 11th largest economy in the world.
