Dan Ashton, MLA for Penticton, was elected Canadian vice-president of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region.
Ashton was elected to the position during the 25th annual PNWER Summit in Big Sky, Mont. on July 12.
“It is an absolute honour to be elected as Canadian vice-president of PNWER,” Ashton said.
“I look forward to not only advancing British Columbia’s interests, but to building strong relationships with our neighbouring jurisdictions, with whom we share common ground on a range of subjects.”
As a vice-president of PNWER, Ashton joins the executive committee, the decision-making body responsible for reviewing all activities of the organization.
This role gives the province a voice on energy, transportation, forest management, invasive species and environmental stewardship.
This appointment will also be an opportunity to promote several B.C. key priorities, including developing the province’s liquefied natural gas industry and enhancing the movement of people, goods and investment throughout the region.
The annual summit draws business leaders, legislators and community leaders.
The region’s goals are to promote greater regional collaboration, enhance the competitiveness of the region in domestic and international markets, leverage regional influence in Ottawa and Washington, D.C., and achieve continued economic growth while maintaining the region’s natural beauty and environment.
The economic region was established in 1991.
It is the only statutory, non-partisan, non-profit, bi-national, public/private partnership in North America.