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MLC
Midwest-Canada Relations Committee
The MLC
Midwest-Canada Relations Committee was created in 1991 by
the Midwestern Legislative Conference.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
and the economic integration of the states and provinces were among
the topics discussed at the most recent Midwest-Canada Relations
Committee meeting. The committee met during the Midwestern
Legislative Conference Annual Meeting in August 2007.
The committee works to represent the state and
provincial viewpoint on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and
other policies and programs that affect the
U.S.
– Canada
relationship. Through meetings with officials in Washington, and with resolutions and public
comments, the committee tries to ensure that the perspective of
state and provincial legislators is presented to Congress and the
Administration.
The committee created three
subcommittees to focus on aspects of the Security and Prosperity
Partnership of North America, an accord that was signed by the
leaders of Canada,
Mexico and the United States in March 2005. In addition to seeking state
and provincial solutions to some of the policies covered under the
partnership agreement, the subcommittees will look for specific
opportunities for states and provinces to help shape and frame the
federal-level discussions about the partnership.
The three subcommittees are:
- Subcommittee on
Security
- Subcommittee on
Economic Prosperity
- Subcommittee on
Environment and Health
Legislators from each of the 11 Midwestern states are appointed by
their respective legislative leaders to serve on the committee.
Provincial legislators from the provinces of
Manitoba, Ontario and
Saskatchewan
also serve on the committee. The committee provides a forum for
dialogue between state and provincial legislators on matters of
common interest and concern, allows them to exchange information and
formulate solutions to common challenges.
The committee also organizes and
sponsors two to four legislative exchanges between state and
provincial legislators each year. These exchanges provide an
opportunity for legislators from both sides of the border to spend
several days observing the legislative process and to meet
legislative leaders and other officials.
For more information, contact:
Ilene
K. Grossman
last updated:
April 11, 2008
