Efforts will kick off when MLA for Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock Glenn van Dijken lands in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to attend the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Spring Agriculture Task Force meeting, June 5 to 7.

MLA van Dijken will champion Alberta’s role as a reliable partner in establishing U.S. food security, share best practices in agriculture and agri-food development. He will advocate for Alberta’s unimpeded access to U.S. markets in discussions with key decision makers on state-level and federal agriculture policy issues.

“The agriculture sector and rural Alberta are driving forces in our province’s economy, attracting investment, creating jobs and providing nourishing, value-added food that enriches the tables of everyday Albertans, Canadians and Americans. I look forward to engaging with state-level officials and policymakers to share exactly why protecting and growing Alberta’s agricultural ties with the U.S. is so mutually important.”

Glenn van Dijken, MLA for Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock

MLA for Airdrie-East Angela Pitt will be in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, from June 15 to 17 for the NCSL Legislative Leaders’ Symposium. She will meet with U.S. lawmakers, state officials and business leaders to reinforce the value of our trade relationship and promote the benefits of working together on critical trade corridors, including pipelines, to unleash Alberta’s ability to support the U.S. in its ambitions to become energy dominant.

“When it comes to ongoing diplomacy with our partners and allies, Alberta’s government has been tirelessly defending Alberta’s interests, engaging face-to-face with influential U.S. decision makers at every opportunity. I have had many positive conversations with members of the NCSL over the past few months, and I look forward to advancing these discussions further in Nevada."

Angela Pitt, MLA for Airdrie-East

The NCSL, established in 1975 by state legislators and legislative staff, brings together lawmakers and government leaders from all 50 U.S. states, commonwealths, territories and the District of Columbia. The conference promotes co-operation and information exchanges between state legislatures in the U.S. and in other countries. Alberta formalized its role in the NCSL by becoming an affiliate member of the organization and a member of its International Advisory Council last year.

Mission expenses will be posted on the travel and expense disclosure page.

Quick facts

  • The U.S. is Alberta’s largest trading partner, and Alberta is the second largest provincial exporter to the U.S. after Ontario.
    • In 2024, Alberta’s exports to the U.S. totalled CAD $162.1 billion, accounting for 88.7 per cent of total provincial exports. The U.S. is also an important source of industrial inputs and consumer goods for the province.
    • Energy products accounted for approximately CAD $133.4 billion, 82.3 per cent of Alberta’s exports to the U.S. in 2024.
    • Other important export categories to the U.S. in 2024 included plastics (CAD $4.3 billion), machinery (CAD $3.4 billion), meat (CAD $3 billion), organic chemicals (CAD $2.1 billion) and forestry products (CAD $2 billion).
    • The U.S. is Alberta’s most valuable export market for agricultural products. In 2024, Alberta exported CAD$9.2 billion in ag products to the U.S., a four per cent increase from 2023.

Itinerary for MLA van Dijken*

June 5
  • Travel to Cedar Rapids, IA.

June 6
  • Participate in full-day meetings and roundtables at the NCSL Spring Agriculture Task Force meeting.

June 7
  • Participate in morning meetings at the NCSL Spring Agriculture Task Force meeting.
  • Travel to Alberta.

*Subject to change.

Itinerary for MLA Pitt*

June 15
  • Travel to Lake Tahoe, NV.

June 16
  • Participate in meetings, sessions and events at the NCSL Legislative Leaders’ Symposium.

June 17
  • Travel to Alberta.

*Subject to change.

Related information