Washington state, British Columbia partner to promote investment, jobs

For Immediate Release: October 20, 2010

VANCOUVER � Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced that Washington state and British Columbia have taken another important step to develop a unique cross-border partnership to attract investment and create new jobs.

The plan is a major initiative included in a Competitiveness and Prosperity action plan signed by Gregoire and British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell at the conclusion of the fifth annual BC-Washington joint cabinet meeting.

�The things that make Washington and British Columbia strong together can be marketed and promoted to the world,� said Gregoire. �We are blessed with a place where economic success is a possibility for all of us � a place where skilled, creative people can flourish and transform the world.�

�The marketing plan will build on the momentum created by the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. It will demonstrate that the Pacific region has a geographical advantage in enhancing trade between North America and Asia and is also globally competitive in attracting new investment and jobs,� said Campbell. �Our road to prosperity lies in working together to build a strong regional economy and create jobs.�

The business and investment marketing plan will be developed in the coming months by provincial and state officials and presented to the two leaders for final approval and implementation next spring.

Gregoire and Campbell also signed a joint letter to President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Stephen Harper recommending a coordinated planning approach to border improvements to reduce wait times and congestion and ensure efficient flow of people and goods between Washington state and B.C. The proposed approach would reduce complex layers of regulation that impede business travel and trade, making the region more globally competitive while ensuring borders are safe and secure.

The two leaders also agreed to move forward together to support high-speed rail service and to explore improved capacity to respond to energy needs and what transmission upgrades are needed in the future.

During today�s meeting, the two leaders received an update on high-speed rail development from Washington Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond and B.C. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Shirley Bond, part of the discussion of the ongoing joint regional transportation action plan. Washington state has received $590 million in US federal funding to develop a workable high-speed rail plan by the middle of the decade.

Gregoire and Campbell also thanked the government of Canada for its recent decision to waive border clearance fees which in turn allowed for continuation of a second Amtrak rail service between Seattle and Vancouver until fall of 2011.

�I�m grateful the Canadian government understood the economic risks that losing this second train would have created,� Gregoire said. �Along with Premier Campbell, we have worked hard to promote a two-nation vacation � and our efforts have paid off. Since the initiation of the second train, tourism spending has increased significantly on both sides of the border. At the same time we�ve been successful in removing thousands of passengers from our roads � easing congestion at our border crossings and decreasing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. I am committed to doing all I can to ensure this second line remains permanent.�

�Due in large part to the ongoing and solid relationship between B.C. and Washington state, our federal government is paying close attention to important regional issues such as Amtrak and I want to thank them for their commitment to this service,� said Premier Campbell. �The border is a gateway, a vital asset to our economic prosperity and should be funded and managed as a priority in both Canada and the United States.�

Since their first cabinet meeting in 2005, Washington state and B.C. have built a unique bi-lateral working relationship unlike any other Canada-US interaction. This partnership has resulted in a number of mutual benefits including:
� The Enhanced Drivers� License travel document as well as additional, quicker border crossings with added NEXUS and FAST lanes;
� Technology improvements such as web-based public communications about border conditions;
� Considerable financial investment for roads and rail services including upgrading the rail line used by Amtrak trains through the B.C. lower mainland;
� Resources and support during emergencies through the Pacific Northwest Emergency Management Arrangement; and
� Formalized cross-border collaboration on preparation, response and recovery for public health emergencies, such as pandemic flu and the West Nile virus.

To view the Competitiveness and Prosperity action plan, visit: http://www.gov.bc.ca/igrs/prgs/intergovagmts.html