Alaska Governor to Discuss Trade and Border Issues with Canadian Officials

Officials from the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Alberta, and British Columbia travel to Alaska

January 18, 2007, Juneau, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will welcome more than 30 Canadian officials to Juneau and Anchorage for meetings January 18-19, 2007. The high-ranking officials include Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie and a 20-member delegation; Northwest Territories Minister for Industry, Tourism and Investment Brendan Bell; Consul General Peter Lloyd from the Canadian Consulate in Seattle; and the President of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) Jim Kenyon who is the Yukon’s Minister of Economic Development.

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“Alaska’s new administration needs to start early and energetically with expanding our strong, cooperative relationship with Canada,” said Governor Palin. “We have many common issues. Our meetings this week will promote continued trade. We’ll also have the opportunity to address jointly the border security challenges placed on us by the U.S. and Canadian national governments.”Governor Palin will hold individual meetings with Premier Fentie, Consul General Lloyd, and Minister Bell. Members of Governor Palin’s cabinet will meet with various ministers of the Yukon and Northwest Territories.

The Yukon delegation’s visit coincides with the PNWER annual visit to the State of Alaska Legislature. On behalf of the Government of Canada, Canadian Consul General Peter Lloyd will host a dinner for Alaska business representatives and officials at the Anchorage Museum of History and Art on Friday, January 19.

Alaska’s exports to Canada are headed for record highs, based on the federal export numbers for the partial year January through November 2006. Alaska’s exports to Canada for that period more than doubled to $441 million compared to the same period in 2005, spurred by $320 million in lead and zinc ore exports.

Source: Alaska Governor's Office