July 9, 2009
OLYMPIA…
Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, R-Wenatchee, recently participated in
the fourth annual Rising State Leaders program organized
by the Canadian Embassy. Participants in the program are given a
unique opportunity to develop a better understanding of the
United States’ relationship with Canada and the interests
they share.
The eight state legislators from around the U.S. selected for
the 2009 program came from Nevada, North Carolina, Idaho,
Kentucky, North Dakota, Alabama, South Dakota and Washington.
From June 21 through June 30 the group traveled from the
Canadian capital of Ottawa, Ontario to Vancouver, British
Columbia with stops in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Calgary, Fort
McMurray and Banff.
Highlights of the working tour included meetings with the
co-chairs of the Canada-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group, the
Speaker of the House of Commons, and provincial elected
officials from Manitoba and British Columbia. The group also
toured the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)
Winnipeg facility, the Alberta oil sands (the world’s
second-largest oil reserves), the Peace Arch Border Crossing
facility, and the Vancouver Port Authority.
“What a bonus for me to spend ten days with our neighbors to the
north reemphasizing the connections between the United States
and Canada,” said Parlette. “The topics we discussed – including
border security, energy, tourism and trade – are key issues that
affect the lives of people around Washington and specifically in
the 12th District, which shares a border with Canada. It’s
excellent to now have working relationships with many of my
Canadian counterparts that I can connect with to get things
accomplished for the people of Washington.”
Trade with Canada supports more than 7 million U.S. jobs. One in
three jobs in Washington is dependent on trade, and more than
150,000 Washington jobs are dependent on trade with Canada.
Trade between the two countries reached $23 billion in 2007,
with Washington shipping more than $7.5 billion in goods to
Canada. More than $2.2 billion in agricultural goods cross the
border each year. Canada is the U.S.’s largest source of
imported energy.
About the Rising State Leaders program
Launched in 2006, the Canadian Embassy’s Rising State Leaders
program has hosted 24 participants – mostly state legislators –
from 21 U.S. states. Participants are given an opportunity to
take part in a 10-day working tour of Canada,
experiencing unique and instructive
activities and meeting with Canadian counterparts, business
contacts, and government representatives. In coordination
with Canadian provincial partners, the program is built to
foster relationships with U.S. leaders at the state level while
providing participants with a deeper understanding of the
largest bilateral relationship in the world. Participants must
be nominated by the Canadian Embassy and the Canadian Consulates
General; applications for the program are not accepted. In
accordance with federal rules and regulations, the Canadian
government covers the costs of attendees’ travel and
participation in the event.
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For more information
contact Rebecca Japhet at (360) 786-7516 or
japhet.rebecca@leg.wa.gov.
For more information on the Canada-Washington relationship,
please contact:
Jonathan Sauvé, Deputy Spokesperson
Embassy of Canada
Media Relations
202-448-6339
jonathan.sauve@international.gc.ca
