Canada–U.S. IPG attends winter meeting of U.S.
governors
From 19–22 February 2016, Senator Janis Johnson, Co-Chair of
the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group
(IPG), led a delegation to the annual winter meeting of the National Governors
Association (NGA) in Washington, D.C. The other members of the delegation were
Senator Wilfred Moore, Q.C.,
Vice-Chair, Mr. John Brassard, M.P. and Mr. Randeep Sarai, M.P.
“The NGA’s meeting provided us with an unparalleled
opportunity to speak with U.S. governors about a range of issues that are
important to Canada and the United States, and – more specifically – to their
state. I know that I speak on behalf of my colleagues in saying that we value
the relationships with governors that we’ve been building over time, and always
look forward to getting to know new governors,” said Senator Johnson.
Senator Johnson concluded: “As is always the case, the
governors’ plenary and committee sessions involved knowledgeable speakers, and
the information that we gained will inform our work as legislators. From a
Canadian federal perspective, perhaps the sessions focused on economic growth,
jobs, and conservation and resource management were the most informative.
Regarding the last of these, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Secretary –
Sally Jewell – outlined a number of important considerations that I’m sure will
guide my thinking about environmental and similar issues.”
Founded more than a century ago when President Theodore
Roosevelt gathered state governors in order to discuss the nation’s resources, the
NGA is the collective voice of U.S. governors from the 50 states, three
territories and two commonwealths. It is also a public policy organization that
represents the governors on Capitol Hill and before the U.S. Administration on
federal issues that affect them, and that develops and implements solutions to
public policy challenges.
The theme for the NGA’s activities in 2016 – including the
winter and summer meetings – is “States: Finding Solutions, Improving Lives.”
This initiative has been selected by NGA Chair Utah Governor Gary Herbert.
It should be noted that 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
Hon. Wayne Easter,
P.C., M.P., Co-Chair - 613-992-2406
Canada–U.S. Inter-Parliamentary
Group
Ms. Miriam Burke, Association Secretary
Canada–U.S. Inter-Parliamentary
Group - 613-944-4238
