This will be the first time that a representative from Saskatchewan has been elected to this year-long position since the province joined PNWER in 2008. Prior to his promotion, Minister Stewart served as a PNWER vice-president.
"It is an honour to be taking up this new role as president," Minister Stewart said. "PNWER is instrumental in influencing policy decisions that ultimately affect our regional and provincial economic growth. As PNWER president, I will promote and represent the interests of the region; of course, one of these interests will be the important Canada-United States agriculture relationship. This role is an ideal opportunity to emphasize Saskatchewan's and the region's contribution to food security, energy security, and economic growth in both Canada and the United States."
Matt Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of PNWER, said the organization was pleased to welcome Minister Stewart to his new role.
"Minister Stewart has contributed much to the organization over the past two years in his role as vice-president," Morrison said. "We look forward to a year of significant achievements under his leadership, at a time when United States-Canada issues are extremely important, and this region is being looked to for solutions."
The PNWER president heads the executive committee, which is the decision making body of PNWER. The president also represents the organization in annual visits to Washington, D.C., Ottawa, and state and provincial capitals within the region. The PNWER president and vice-president must be elected officials. These two posts alternate annually between elected legislators from the United States and Canada.
Formed in 1991, PNWER is a non-partisan, public-private partnership that includes Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon and the Northwest Territories in Canada; and Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Montana in the United States.
The partnership represents a regional combined GDP of $1 trillion and is committed to regional collaboration, enhanced competitiveness, economic growth, and the reduction of trade and regulatory barriers.
For more information on PNWER or the 2012 Annual Summit, visit the website at www.pnwer.org/2012annualsummit.
