This year’s annual winter meeting of the Western Governors’ Association in Las Vegas, Nevada will provide a forum for critical conversations and information sharing that will help inform future policy development and set the stage for collaborative action on key issues affecting the western United States and Canada’s western provinces.

Premier Smith will join governors in public policy discussions, including strategies to enhance access to housing and enabling efficient permitting in areas including infrastructure, transmission, land management, wildfire mitigation, border security, deployment of energy resources and more.

The conference will provide Premier Smith the opportunity to engage one-on-one with U.S. governors to discuss priorities that are top of mind for the province, including protecting a long history of cross-border collaboration and an ability to effectively move Alberta’s products to U.S. markets. Premier Smith will also reinforce that Alberta is a trustworthy and reliable partner of choice to secure North American energy independence.

“As the United States prepares for a new administration, this is a critical time for our province to strengthen our engagement with American friends and allies. Alberta is a key trade partner, and we are committed to ensuring our relationship continues to grow, yielding mutual benefits for years to come. In addition, securing our shared border remains a top priority, as it is essential for maintaining the safety and efficiency of trade between our two regions. I look forward to meeting with U.S. governors to emphasize the deep economic ties that connect our two economies and the importance of border security in facilitating continued collaboration."

Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta

This year’s winter meeting is hosted by Michelle Lujan Grisham, governor of New Mexico and chair of the Western Governors’ Association.

The Western Governors’ Association is a non-partisan organization of governors of 22 western U.S. states and territories including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming along with the three U.S. Flag Pacific Islands: American Samoa, Guam and Northern Mariana Islands.

Premier Smith will be on personal time Dec. 6 to 8 in advance of the Western Governors’ Association winter meeting. The Premier’s personal time will be covered at her own expense and will not have any associated government costs. Premier Smith will be joined at the Western Governors Association by four Premier’s office staff. 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$162.2 billion, accounting for about 90 per cent of total provincial exports.
    • Energy products accounted for about C$133.6 billion, or 80 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.

Itinerary for Premier Smith*

Dec. 6-7
  • Travel to Las Vegas, Nevada.
  • Personal time at own expense.

Dec. 8
  • Meet with U.S. governors and senior officials.

Dec. 9
  • Meet with U.S. governors and senior officials at the Western Governors’ Association’s 2024 Winter Meeting.
  • Bilateral meetings with governors.

Dec. 10
  • Meet with U.S. governors and senior officials at the Western Governors’ Association’s 2024 Winter Meeting.
  • Participate on a panel “Insuring Homes Against the Wildfire Crisis”.
  • Travel to Alberta.

*Subject to change.

Related information