Alberta MLAs will participate in year-end tours that will play an important role in cementing ties they have been building with partners in the U.S. this past year, while setting the stage for even greater cooperation heading into 2025.
The tours will kick off when Justin Wright, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat builds Alberta’s network of relationships with state legislators when he joins his U.S. counterparts at Council of State Governments (CSG) West’s Western Legislative Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado from Dec. 9 to 14 for training and consensus building. This premier multi-day legislative leadership training program brings together legislators from the western region for learning, policy discussions and network-building annually.
“I am honoured to have been nominated by my legislative counterparts to join them as Alberta’s very first participant in this esteemed program. I look forward to establishing our province as a valuable addition to the Academy and am excited to champion Alberta as a secure, stable and reliable trade and investment partner with key influencers in state-level policy circles.”
MLA Pitt will later travel to Austin, Texas, from Dec. 12 to 14 to further advocate for critical trade infrastructure and solidify Alberta’s position as a partner of choice for North American energy security when she attends sessions and networking events at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Leaders’ Symposium.
“As a contributing member of the NCSL and its newly minted International Legislative Advisory Council, I look forward to reconvening with its members to advance the important work that we started at the NCSL’s Legislative Summit this past summer. Our two nations have a pivotal role to play in protecting and enhancing the significant flow of resources, people and goods across our borders – all with the goal of maintaining an economy of connections that secures our energy future and reaps benefits for our citizens in Alberta and the U.S.”
CSG West is a regional, multilateral forum comprised of the following member states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Alberta, British Columbia and the U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands are associate members.
The NCSL, established in 1975 by state legislators and legislative staff, brings together lawmakers and government leaders from all 50 U.S. states, commonwealths, territories and the District of Columbia. The conference promotes cooperation and information exchanges between state legislatures in the U.S. and in other countries. Alberta formalized its role in the NCSL by becoming an affiliate member of the organization and a member of its International Advisory Council earlier this year.
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 in 2023.
- 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 MLA Wright*
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Dec. 9-10 |
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Dec. 11-13 |
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Dec. 14 |
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*Subject to change.
Itinerary for MLA Pitt*
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Dec. 12 |
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Dec. 13 |
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Dec. 14 |
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*Subject to change.