Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland MLA Shane Getson and Calgary-Fish Creek MLA Myles McDougall will join lawmakers, industry representatives, academics and state delegates to strengthen bilateral co-operation on shared priorities at the Council of State Governments (CSG) 78th Midwestern Legislative Conference Annual Meeting.
This mission will build on the momentum of a series of MLA missions to Portland, Oregon and Richland, Washington earlier in July and will provide MLAs Getson and McDougall with another platform to champion Alberta’s economic interests with the province’s largest trading partner. Key focus areas for MLAs Getson and McDougall will include identifying ways to advance energy infrastructure that will bring even more of Alberta’s responsible energy products to the U.S. market, enhance North American energy security and encourage the flow of people and goods to create jobs, prosperity and economic growth on both sides of the border.
“I am truly honored to have been invited to present our economic corridor model. This is such an important opportunity to voice Alberta’s perspective to U.S. legislators and build consensus on common interests that will boost trade and investment between Alberta and the U.S. Midwest. The midwestern states are significant trading partners, and through this ongoing engagement and collaboration, we are able to promote our province to them. Alberta has a great story, and a fantastic future. We look forward to sharing that message.”
“Maintaining a consistent presence at forums like this gives us the chance to renew our connections with key decision makers while building new ones, and solidifying ties that are critically important for continued access to the U.S. market, while showcasing everything Alberta’s innovative businesses and industries have to offer.”
CSG Midwest is a regional, multilateral forum that brings together lawmakers and government leaders from 11 states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario are affiliate members and Saskatchewan is a full member. Alberta has been an associate member since 2010.
Following participation in the CSG Midwestern Legislative Conference Annual Meeting, MLA Getson will travel to Whistler, B.C. to join MLAs Wright, de Jonge, Rowswell and Petrovic to advocate for Alberta’s interests at the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region’s (PNWER) Annual Summit, which runs from July 21-25.
Mission expenses will be posted on the travel and expense disclosure page.
Quick facts
- The United States is Alberta’s largest trading partner.
- In 2023, Alberta’s exports to the U.S. totalled $156.1 billion, accounting for 90 per cent of total provincial exports.
- The U.S. Midwest is the largest trade region for Alberta. Bilateral trade between Alberta and CSG member states totalled more than $102.8 billion in 2023, with Alberta’s exports making up $90.4 billion of that total. Top exports to the region included:
- meat: $644 million
- plastics: $1.9 billion
- machinery: $967.3 million
- inorganic chemicals: $616 million
- energy: $82.3 billion
Itinerary for MLA Getson*
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July 20 |
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July 21 |
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July 22 |
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July 25 |
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*Subject to change.
Itinerary for MLA McDougall*
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July 20 |
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July 21-24 |
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July 25 |
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*Subject to change.
Related information
- CSG Midwest
- CSG Midwestern Legislative Conference Annual Meeting
- Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Annual Summit
Related news
- Telling Alberta’s story in western U.S. (July 5, 2024)
- Laying foundations for an integrated energy market (July 11, 2024)