The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) Economic Leadership Forum, hosted in Vancouver, wraps up today.

Building on earlier joint plenary sessions focused on border recovery with the Future Borders Coalition, the three-day hybrid networking event attracted provincial and state legislators, and business leaders from across the public and private sectors.

MLA Rick Glumac, Premier John Horgan’s official representative to PNWER, and the Premier’s liaison to Washington state, led a large contingent of B.C. government officials, which included Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, Roly Russell, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development, Brenda Bailey, Parliamentary Secretary for Technology and Innovation, and MLA Brittny Anderson, the Premier’s Special Advisor on Youth.

Delegates explored exciting innovations and opportunities, and addressed issues affecting the Pacific Northwest region. Discussions focused on a wide range of topics, including post-pandemic economic recovery, restoring regional tourism, responding to supply chain disruptions and addressing climate change.

“B.C. is pleased to host the 2021 Economic Forum in Vancouver. It’s a great opportunity to foster important connections in areas of shared interest for the benefit of the entire region,” said Glumac, who also serves as PNWER Canadian vice-president. “Now more than ever, it’s important to collaborate and work together to achieve our objectives for a greener, more sustainable future, move forward from the COVID-19 pandemic, and build our economic region back stronger.”

PNWER was formed in 1991 and consists of 10 member jurisdictions, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Washington state.

PNWER’s 31st annual summit will be held in Calgary on July 24-28, 2022. For more information, visit: www.pnwer.org