PNWER hosted a Border Symposium during the Olympics, with the help of Dr. Don Alper from the Western Washington University Border Policy Research Institute, Colin Robertson from Carleton University in Ottawa, Dr. Chris Sands from the Hudson Institute in Washington, DC, and Dr. Sukumar Periwal from the Premier of British Columbia's Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat.

The Symposium was held on Monday, February 22^nd and featured US Ambassador to Canada David Jacobson, Premier Gordon Campbell of BC, Minister Gary Lunn of the Federal Government - in charge of the Olympics, Premier Brad Wall of Saskatchewan (current chair of the Council of the Federation), and Alaska Senator Lesil McGuire.  Additional speakers included Minister Naomi Yamamoto of BC, and Minister Iris Evans of Alberta, Lt. Governor Craig Campbell of Alaska, as well as Darrell Bryan, CEO of the Victoria Clipper, Michele James, Director of US Customs and Border Protection, and Blake Delgaty, Regional Director of Canada's Border Services Agency.

Participants in the Roundtable discussed the importance of regional input to develop a border that works for communities and commerce, while maintaining public safety using  a risk based approach.  It was mentioned that for the first time, the US Department of Homeland Security is developing a 'Northern Border Strategy' and has asked for PNWER's input in the process.  Proceedings from the roundtable will be submitted to Alan Bersin, Assistant Secretary for International Affairs and Special Representative for Border Affairs.

Premier Campbell applauded Washington State Governor Gregoire's commitment which was absolutely essential he said in getting the Enhanced Driver's License approved by the US Department of Homeland Security.  Liz Luce, Director of the Washington State Department of Licensing said, "This would not have happened without the personal initiative of both Premier Campbell and Governor Gregoire, who many times had to push the federal agencies to make this happen."

Premier Brad Wall reported on the meeting with the Canadian Premiers and National Governors which just took place in Washington, DC and mentioned how important constant engagement is for the largest trading relationship in the world, and that we must constantly frame approaches to  border management in terms of jobs in both countries.

Minister Gary Lunn commented on how important the 2010 Olympics has been in developing a legacy of border cooperation in the PNWER region, that this cooperation has led to a great success story for the border during these games.

Lt. Gov. Craig Campbell- AK, Chris Sands, Don Alper, Colin Robertson

Chris Sands emphasized the importance of getting input from the small and medium businesses who in the end are the largest drivers of economic growth, and who do not have the resources that the large companies do to address border challenges.  He encouraged state and provincial input to both federal governments as an important link to understanding border users' needs.

Don Alper, Director of the Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University in Bellingham gave three areas of emphasis for a new border vision, 1) that the border needs to be completely 'fluid,' thus anything that threatens this desired state must by jointly addressed by both nations,and 2) regions are the incubators of innovation and should be encouraged to develop regional pilots and solutions that work for their border users, and 3) the more done away from the border allows for greater opportunities for border facilitation of legitimate goods and travel.

Participants also discussed the importance to the economy of the region to address the mobility of skilled workers, the importance of energy security and infrastructure to the regional economy.  John van Dongen, MLA from BC and PNWER Past President said, "It is imperative that we get our act together in terms of better border management, as jobs and economic competitiveness absolutely depend on it."

Michele James of Customs Border Protection with John van Dongen

Both Michelle James and Blake Delgaty talked about the importance of border officials having good information on crossers, and the efforts on both sides to move away from transactional exchanges at the border.

The roundtable was an important step in a series of meetings PNWER has held in the past 3 years since establishing a Border Charter and Border Solutions Council in 2008 at PNWER's Vancouver Summit.