Legislative Academy Session 1: From the Speaker's Chair
Wednesday November 15 | 9:00 - 10:00am CST
The PNWER Legislative Leadership Academy is designed to explore the practical differences between the parliamentary and U.S. systems of government and assist legislators in developing important relationships with colleagues from neighboring jurisdictions. The Legislative Academy is open to all​ Economic Leadership Forum attendees.

This session featured View from the Speaker's Chair: A comparative look at the role and function of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and the Speaker of the House in their respective countries.

Speakers: 
  • Honourable Randy Weekes, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
  • Mark Blasdel, former Speaker of the House for the State of Montana
Legislative Academy Session 2: An Overview of the Canadian and U.S. Systems of Government and a Legislative Overview
Wednesday November 15 | 10:00 - 11:00am CST
This session was an engaging and informative discussion that explored the similarities and differences that define the systems of government in the United States and Canada.

Speaker:
  • Dale Eisler, Senior Policy Fellow, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Regina
​A Saskatchewan Welcome from Premier Moe
Wednesday November 15 | 11:30am - 12:30pm CST
The Honourable Scott Moe, Premier of Saskatchewan, welcomed Economic Leadership Forum attendees to the Province of Saskatchewan.

Speaker:
  • Honourable Scott Moe, Premier of Saskatchewan
Legislative Academy Session 3: Understanding Government Structure: How do states, provinces, and territories share governance with their respective federal governments?
Wednesday November 15 | 12:45 - 1:45pm CST
​This session explored the intricacies of the government structures in the U.S. and Canada as we discuss the ways states, provinces, and territories collaborate and interact with their federal governments. Gain insight into the unique aspects of governance and federalism that shape these relationships.

Speakers:
  • The Honourable Andrew Scheer, MP for Regina-Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan and House Leader of the Official Opposition
  • Representative Kevin McCabe, State of Alaska
​Session 4: Empowering PNWER Leadership: Unleashing Regional Potential through Federal Outreach
Wednesday November 15 | 1:45 - 2:45pm CST
In this session, attendees examined a few specific bi-national issues and how PNWER, as a bi-national forum, can be useful to advocate for common issues from within this region to Ottawa and Washington, D.C.

Speakers:
  • Brandon Hardenbrook, COO, PNWER
  • Steve Myers, Senior Program Manager, PNWER
Session 5: Developing Economic Corridors in the Pacific Northwest
Wednesday November 15 | 3:00 - 5:00pm CST
Efficient, reliable, and resilient supply chains are key to provinces and states in accessing markets, enabling exports and promoting economic growth. This panel discussion will address how legislators and stakeholders across the border can support the development of Canada - U.S. economic corridors within the PNWER region. Legislators will explore how jurisdictions arrived at the current stage of development.  The second half of the session will explore what needs to be carried out to move forward in developing robust economic corridors.
Session 1 | 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Moderator
  • Kyle Toffan, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Highways, Government of Saskatchewan
​
Speakers
  • Shane Getson, MLA for Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland, Legislative Assembly of Alberta
  • Andrew Gaule, Director of Policy and Communications, Yukon Economic Development
  • Representative Kevin McCabe, State of Alaska​
Session 2 | 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

 Moderator
  • Bruce Agnew, Director PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator
​
Speakers
  • Lauren Garduño, President of the Ports to Plains Alliance
  • Chief Leonard Standing On Road, Former Grand Chief of Treaty 6
  • Chief Isaac Laboucan-Avirom of the Woodland Cree First Nation, Treaty 8
  • Shane Getson, MLA for Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland, Legislative Assembly of Alberta
Session 6: Critical Minerals: Sustainable Supply Chain
Thursday November 16 | 1:15 - 2:15pm CST
​Saskatchewan is home to critical mineral resources that are essential for global economic security, a growing population and a low-carbon future. With occurrences in the province of 23 of the 31 critical minerals on Canada’s list, and 36 of the 50 mentioned in the United States’ list, Saskatchewan has an opportunity to contribute to sustainably meeting the global critical mineral demand for potash, uranium, helium, lithium, copper, zinc, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements. There are significant investment opportunities in critical minerals exploration, mining and processing/refining in the province.

Speakers
  • Mike Crabtree, President & CEO, Saskatchewan Research Council
  • Zachary Maurer, Executive Director, Arizona Lithium
  • Blair Wagar, Deputy Minister of Energy and Resources, Government of Saskatchewan
  • Dave Allen, Executive Vice President, Exploration and Planning, North American Helium
Session 7: Managing the Unprecedented 2023 Wildfire Season
Thursday November 16 | 2:15 - 3:15pm CST
This session consisted of a critical discussion on the challenges and strategies involved in managing the recent unprecedented wildfire seasons. As wildfires continue to pose severe threats to communities, ecosystems, and economies, this session will feature expert insights and real-world experiences from emergency management experts in the PNWER region. 

Speakers: 
  • Bill Larson, Chairman, Pacific Northwest Building Resilience Coalition
  • Emily King, Director of Emergency Management, Government of the Northwest Territories
  • Steve Roberts, Vice President of Operations, Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency
Session 8: The Future of Food and Farming: Innovation in Agriculture
Thursday November 16 | 3:30 - 4:30pm CST 
Farming practices have evolved over decades to improve the sustainability of the agricultural sector. Progress made is in part due to innovative technologies, such as global positioning system guidance tools, drone technology, slow-release fertilizers, and modern equipment, as well as farming practices, agronomy and crop science, helping farmers produce higher yields more efficiently. This session brings together ag tech leaders within the PNWER region to share their stories of successful programs and projects that are enabling producers to do more with less. 

Moderator
  • Ken Francis, MLA, Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan

Speakers
  • Murad Al-Katib, President and CEO, AGT Food and Ingredients Inc.
  • Kassandra Quayle, CFO, Protein Industries Canada
  • Erin Trapp, Manager, Emmertech
Session 9: Energy Security for the Future
Friday November 17 | 8:30 - 9:30am CST
This panel of energy producers will discuss the importance of cross-border infrastructure projects such as pipelines and Small modular reactors for energy security and affordability.  Cross-border energy infrastructure is vital to our regional economy and provides a crucial supply of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, as well as natural gas liquids, like propane, to the United States. Pipelines are the safest way of transporting oil and gas over long distances. Furthermore, they support thousands of jobs on both sides of the border. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are a potential nuclear energy technology to be deployed in Saskatchewan in the early 2030s and provide zero-emission baseload generation. Harboring the largest high-grade uranium deposits in the world, the Saskatchewan uranium industry is in a good position to benefit from increased demand from the growth in SMRs. 

Moderator
  • Kent Campbell, President and CEO, Crown Investments Corporation

Speakers 
  • Jeff Hryhoriw, Director, Government Relations and Communications, Cameco Corporation
  • Grant Fagerheim, President and CEO, Whitecap Resources
  • Mike Gladstone, Director of External Affairs, Enbridge
  • Rupen Pandya, President and CEO, SaskPower
Session 10: Agriculture as a nature based solution to a changing climate
Friday November 17 | 9:30 - 10:30am CST
Global food security will be challenged by population growth and production disruptions caused by climate change. Learn how industry leaders are contributing to decarbonizing and enhancing food security around the world through sustainable food production. Soil health, diversified crop rotations, innovative technology, and investments in R&D are key management practices to foster sustainability and reduce emissions throughout the entire agricultural value chain. 

Moderator
  • Ken Francis, MLA, Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan

Speakers
  • Dr. Steven Webb, Executive Director and CEO, Global Institute for Food Security
  • Kristjan Herbert, President, Herbert Grain Ventures
  • Angela Bedard-Haughn, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan
Session 11: Reconciliation and Indigenous Economic Development
Friday November 17 | 10:30 - 11:30am CST
Indigenous participation in key sectors, such as natural resource development and value-added agriculture, is a key component to economic reconciliation and the creation of opportunities to people across the PNWER region. Join legislators and business leaders on a conversation about addressing barriers to Indigenous equity ownership. 

Speakers:
  • John Desjarlais, Executive Director, Indigenous Resource Network
  • Shane Getson, MLA, Legislative Assembly of Alberta