Wednesday January 7, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC [Updated January 8, 2026]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and the Washington State Legislature will formalize an agreement to establish a British Columbia-Washington State Interparliamentary Group.
Documents will be signed in Vancouver on Thursday January 8 by representatives of the two jurisdictions.
The formation of a working group across the border is considered to be historic, particularly as it comes at a time when there are unusual tensions between Canada and the United States.
It also leans to a practical recognition of trade between jurisdictions on the west coast.
Explore solutions to common challenges:
As stated today in a release from the Office of the Speaker of the BC Legislative Assembly, the bilateral group will serve as a venue to promote dialogue between legislators, explore solutions to common challenges, address cross-border constituency matters, and engage in discussions about areas of mutual interest and accomplishment.
Who will be there:
The following officials are expected to attend the signing and be part of a group photo:
- Raj Chouhan, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
- Denny Heck, Lieutenant Governor of Washington state, and delegation
- Rick Glumac, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies
- Susie Chant, Government member responsible for B.C.’s Consular Corps.
- Á’a:líya Warbus, House Leader for the Official Opposition
- Jody Toor, Caucus Chair for the Official Opposition
- Kate Ryan-Lloyd, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
- Shawn Crowley, U.S. Consul General
- Karina Veras, U.S. Political and Economic Officer
- Megan Graves, Senior Officer, U.S. Foreign Policy and Diplomacy Services
Background:
The British Columbia-Washington State Interparliamentary Group was created to strengthen dialogue between legislators, promote collaboration on cross-border issues, and share best practices on matters of mutual interest. Co-chaired by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and the Lieutenant Governor of Washington state, the group will meet annually, alternating between British Columbia and Washington, with provisions for special meetings as needed.
The Washington State Legislature authorized the group in 2024 through House Bill 2000, designating the Lieutenant Governor as chair of the Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations (LCEDIR) and Washington’s representative.
Speaker Raj Chouhan and Lt. Governor Denny Heck reached an agreement-in-principle in May 2025 during Heck’s visit to Victoria, following years of engagement by leaders on both sides of the border. The B.C. Legislative Assembly Management Committee approved the initiative in October 2025, marking a significant step in parliamentary diplomacy.
Rick Glumac, B.C.’s Minister of State for AI and New Technologies, and a past president of the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region, says he and Heck first began to discuss the idea of a cross-jurisdictional group years ago: “We recognized that Washington State and British Columbia have always been and will always remain friends and neighbours – so let’s do more work together.”
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