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2010 Winter Olympics / Tourism |
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Co-Chairs
Lorne Whyte (President and CEO, Tourism Victoria)
State Sen. Lesil McGuire (Alaska State Senate)
PNWER Staff
Ian Burkheimer (ianb@pnwer.org)
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Agriculture |
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Co-Chairs
Ed Lord (Fmr.Vice President, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association)
Richard Marz, MLA (Alberta Legislative Assembly)
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Active on livestock health issues, such as animal identification and the sharing of best practices. Organized an Animal ID Conference in Spokane, WA (January 2007) |
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Border Issues |
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Co-Chairs
Jim Phillips (President & CEO, Can/Am BTA)
Public Sector Co-Chair TBD
PNWER Staff
Ian Burkheimer (ianb@pnwer.org) |
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Focuses on ensuring greater security and mobility for goods and services across the Canada-US border. Works closely with US Department of Homeland Security and the Canada’s Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness on WHTI, perimeter clearance and related issues. |
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Energy I |
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Co-Chairs
Mel Knight, MLA (Alberta Minister of Energy)
Private Sector Co-Chair TBD
PNWER Staff
Neil Parekh (neil@pnwer.org) |
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With funding from the US Department of Energy, Alberta Ministry of Energy, and BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, brings together key industry leaders from both countries to examine supply and demand issues, transmission, permitting across multiple jurisdictions, and many issues that must be dealt with to secure efficient, reliable, low cost and environmentally safe energy supply for our future.
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Energy II |
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Co-Chairs
State Rep. George Eskridge (Idaho State Legislature)
Private Sector Co-Chair TBD
PNWER Staff
Neil Parekh (neil@pnwer.org) |
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Identifies emerging and renewable energy technologies and addresses related policy issues. |
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Environment |
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Co-Chairs
Hon. Barry Penner (BC Minister of Environment)
Joe Barraclough (Dir., Industry and Governmental Relations, Environmental Services Assoc. of Alberta)
PNWER Staff
Ian Burkheimer (ianb@pnwer.org) |
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Promotes coordinated research,development and marketing of environmental technologies and services. Also active on marine air pollution issues.
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Forestry |
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Co-Chairs TBD |
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Has looked at sustainable forest practices in each jurisdiction, has worked on developing cross-border mutual aid agreements for firefighting. In 2005 PNWER’s Forestry Working Group met jointly with the Western Legislative Forestry Task Force. |
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Health Care
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Co-Chairs
John Sproule (VP, Strategic Planning and Community Engagement, Vancouver Coastal Health)
Public Sector Co-Chair TBD
PNWER Staff
Brandon Hardenbrook (brandon@pnwer.org) |
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With private sector support, is preparing the first bi-annual regional healthcare update to serve as a reference regarding health care innovations policies and best practices. Focused on methods for states and provinces to increase access and effective care while reducing healthcare costs. Has also addressed drug importation issues. |
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High-Tech |
With funding from the Economic Development Administration (US Dep’t of Commerce), has initiated a new forum for researchers, businesses and students to work collaboratively in the exchange and commercialization of research and ideas - providing a platform to develop the innovation, collaboration and capital needed for future wealth creation and growth opportunities.
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Co-Chairs
Lee Cheatham (Director, Washington Technology Center)Lee Kruszewski (Director, Software and IT, Alberta Innovation and Science)
PNWER Staff
Joy Howland (joy@pnwer.org)
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Homeland Security |
| With funding from a wide range of public and private sector sources, has brought together hundreds of public and private sector leaders in a series of infrastructure interdependencies exercises called Blue Cascades (focused on cyber security, pandemic preparedness and natural disasters) designed to make this region more disaster resilient. Canada’s Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada and the US Department of Homeland Security have recognized PNWER for its leadership role in this effort. PNWER recently launched the Center for Disaster Resilience. For info visit: |
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Co-Chairs
Hon. Rob Renner (Alberta Minister of Environment)
Private Sector Co-Chair TBD
PNWER Staff
Brandon Hardenbrook (brandon@pnwer.org)
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Invasive Species |
Has been working to encourage the development of Invasive Species Councils in each jurisdiction and to foster greater collaboration throughout the region. Washington state established the Washington Invasive Species Council in 2006, based in part on model legislation developed by PNWER.
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Co-Chairs
Sen. Fred Dyson (Alaska State Legislature)
Private Sector Co-Chair TBD |
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Sustainable Development
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Identifies best practices for environmental sustainability to improve the quality of life in the region as well as foster sustainable economic development. Is addressing the mountain pine beetle infestation and developing a sustainability showcase for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
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Co-Chairs
Hon. David Coutts (Alberta Minister of Sustainable Resources)
Private Sector Co-Chair TBD
PNWER Staff
Ian Burkheimer (ianb@pnwer.org) |
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Telecommunications |
| Identifies potential multi-jurisdictional uses of new technologies in the area of emergency communications. Held an alternate resilient communications workshop in October 2006 |
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Co-Chairs
Tracy Boileau (Public Sector West Vertical Marketing, TELUS)
Public Sector Co-Chair TBD
PNWER Staff
Brandon Hardenbrook (brandon@pnwer.org)
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Trade and Economic Development |
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Has encouraged the promotion of regional clusters, and the importance of collaboration across borders. Is exploring the possibility of expanding the BC-Alberta Trade, Investment and Labor Mobility Agreement concept throughout the PNWER region. Many of the states and provinces are each other’s largest trading partners.
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Co-Chairs
Hon. Clint Dunford (Alberta Minister of Economic Development)
Roberta Brooke (Dir., Master of Business Administration, Eastern Washington University)
PNWER Staff
Judy Skarsten (judy@pnwer.org) |
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Transportation |
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Focuses on the infrastructure of our major corridors and gateways, with a special interest on border infrastructure. Brings together public and private, state/provincial and federal officials to address key issues of transportation management, including new technologies to address the increased flow of goods and services through our ports and across our borders.
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Co-Chairs
Ron Tenove (Director, Corporate Development; R.S. Tenove Professional Services)
State Sen. John Goedde (Idaho State Senate)
PNWER Staff
Brandon Hardenbrook (brandon@pnwer.org) |
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Water Policy |
Is beginning a dialogue to address important regional water issues such as the renegotiation of the Columbia River Treaty.
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Co-Chairs
Dennis Fitzpatrick (VP, Research; University of Lethbridge)
State Sen. David Nelson (Oregon State Senate)
PNWER Staff
Brandon Hardenbrook (brandon@pnwer.org)
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Workforce Development |
Is identifying the 1) barriers to addressing labor shortages, 2) the key stakeholders, and 3) specific actions that can be implemented to alleviate these shortages. How can we train and retrain the skilled workforce that will be needed to fuel the growth of tomorrow? Where are the best practices of industry/government cooperation? How can we ensure greater professional mobility in terms of licensing requirements, as many projects cross multiple jurisdictions?
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Co-Chairs
Neil Windsor (Executive Director and Registrar, APEGGA)
Greg O’Claray (Commissioner, Alaska Department of Labor)
PNWER Staff
Brandon Hardenbrook (brandon@pnwer.org)
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