Washington Senate adopts resolution recognizing ties with Canada

The Washington State Senate adopted Senate Resolution 8696 on Tuesday, formally recognizing the state's "interconnected relationship with Canada," citing cross-border trade, shared natural resources and cooperative environmental and emergency responses.

The resolution notes long-standing economic and cultural ties, the shared Salish Sea and common environmental challenges, and highlights that nearly $8,000,000,000 in annual exports go from Washington to Canada. Senator Shumate moved adoption and opened floor remarks thanking Canadian visitors and underscoring the value of bilateral cooperation.

"Canada is an incredibly diverse country, and we are so lucky to have it as our closest partner," Senator Shumate said, recounting personal visits and exchanges with Canadian officials. She highlighted cooperation on technology, aviation and agriculture and pointed to Quebec's carbon markets as an instructive model for Washington's climate policy discussions.

Senator Short also voiced support, citing scientific collaborations across the border such as research on white sturgeon and coordinated efforts to address aquatic invasive species in the Columbia River. "Those scientific relationships and the friendshipsboth economic and just sociallyare really important," Short said.

Senator Schlatter, who identified as Canadian-born, urged continued partnership but also urged candor about policy disagreements: "It's fair to call it out" and criticized perceived "unsportsmanlike conduct by our federal administration," saying neighbors should be honest with one another.

The presiding officer called for the question; senators voiced "aye," and the presiding officer declared, "The ayes have it." The resolution was adopted. After the vote the Senate recognized visiting Canadian officials and delegates in the South Gallery, including Consul General Craig Weichel, Akiko Onizuka (consul and senior trade commissioner), David Ruiz (delegate of the province of Quebec in Seattle), Mary Lou Stewart (mayor of Blaine), and representatives from Western Washington University and affiliated border institutes.

Later in the day the Senate went at ease to permit reading and receipt of policy committee reports, then returned to consider supplemental committee reports and referred additional measures to committee. The Senate adjourned and will reconvene at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, for the 46th legislative day.