B.C. TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL TIES AT PNWER SUMMIT

VICTORIA - British Columbia will strengthen regional collaboration on climate change, Asia-Pacific trade, energy, border-crossing, and tourism leading up to the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games as Premier Gordon Campbell leads a delegation to the 2007 Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) summit in Anchorage, Alaska, July 22 to 26.

"The Pacific Northwest Economic Region has the collective ability to resolve issues and lead initiatives that impact the entire continent, such as climate change, trade with Asia and an aging population," said Campbell. "With more than 20 million people, a collective economy of nearly US$850 billion, essential natural resources and trade connections with fast-growing Asian economies, our region is a driving force in North America."

Premier Campbell will deliver a keynote address to the summit Monday, July 23.

The annual summits attract approximately 500 participants, including ministers and legislators from member jurisdictions, business organizations and industry associations, and senior officials from Canadian and U.S. governments. The annual summit is an opportunity to discuss common ground on climate change, secure and open borders, energy, transportation, tourism, trade, and agriculture.

John van Dongen, Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations, is currently the vice-president of PNWER. Van Dongen will present an update on B.C.'s development of an enhanced driver's licence.

"B.C.'s active role in PNWER has built important connections with our neighbours and enhanced existing relationships, as with Alberta and Washington," van Dongen said. "These relationships are bearing fruit in the TILMA agreement and greater collaboration with Alberta, and the recent climate change accord with Washington. We look forward to seeing even greater collaboration with more partners in the future."

Environment Minister Barry Penner will speak on B.C.'s leadership in climate change collaboration. Ministers Richard Neufeld and Kevin Krueger will also attend, as will MLAs Richard T. Lee, Joan McIntyre and Mary Polak.

Founded in 1991, PNWER is a public-private bipartisan partnership whose members include B.C., Alberta, Yukon, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.

The 2008 summit will be held in Vancouver, B.C., at which time Minister van Dongen will assume the organization's presidency.