Minister Silver attends Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Annual Summit in Whistler, BC

Press Release

July 25, 2024

Minister Sandy Silver and Government of Yukon representatives attended the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) 2024 Annual Summit in Whistler, British Columbia.

During the Summit, Minister Silver, who continues to serve as one of two Canadian Vice Presidents for PNWER, was also elected President of PNWER Canada by its Board. PNWER Canada is the non-profit that serves as PNWER’s corporate presence in Canada and supports its Canadian programming. Minister Silver succeeds British Columbia MLA Rick Glumac and plans to continue his work to strengthen PNWER’s capacity on the Canadian side of the border.

Through this new leadership role for the Yukon in PNWER Canada, Minister Silver will bring attention to critical issues affecting the entire region, including Arctic security and development, climate resilience, infrastructure, and the global clean energy transition.

The theme of the Annual Summit was Advancing a Sustainable Regional Economy through Clean Energy and Innovation. This event provides a significant forum for cross-border collaboration. It brings legislators and private sector leaders together to discuss challenges and solutions that impact communities both in the United States and in Canada.

Participating in PNWER is not only an opportunity, it is also our responsibility to contribute our expertise towards initiatives that benefit the territories, provinces and states across the pacific northwest. The Yukon’s participation has allowed us to support an ongoing cross-border dialogue, and we continue to highlight issues important to Yukoners and the North.

Premier and Minister of Economic Development Ranj Pillai

This Annual Summit provides an opportunity to work with other Canadian and US jurisdictions and the private sector on issues important to the Pacific Northwest. I’m honoured to serve as the President of PNWER Canada. I hope to work with our partners to expand PNWER’s capacity on the Canadian side of the border, including by highlighting the Yukon’s priorities with regard to the Arctic, infrastructure, climate resiliency, and the need for northern and Indigenous participation in decision-making about the North.

Minister of Finance Sandy Silver

Quick facts

• PNWER is a public-private non-profit organization created by statute in 1991. The 2024 Annual Summit is the 33rd since its inception.
• The Pacific Northwest Economic Region includes five US states: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington; and five Canadian provinces and territories: Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan; the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. PNWER also includes private sector representatives.
• The Yukon joined PNWER in 1998. The Yukon has two appointees to PNWER’s Delegate Council: Premier Ranj Pillai and Minister Sandy Silver.
• PNWER aims to bring together public and private leaders on both sides of the border to increase economic wellbeing in the region, facilitate policy cooperation, promote public-private collaboration and highlight regional priorities to the US and Canadian federal governments. ​

Media contact

Jordan Owens
Cabinet Communications
867-332-0615
jordan.owens@yukon.ca

Damian Topps
Communications, Economic Development
867-667-5378
damian.topps@yukon.ca

IBF5