January 8,2026
RED FM News Desk
On January 8, 2026, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and the Washington State Legislature signed an agreement to create the British Columbia–Washington State Interparliamentary Group. The bilateral group will promote dialogue between legislators, address cross-border issues, explore solutions to shared challenges, and discuss areas of mutual interest.
The group will be co-chaired by B.C.’s Speaker Raj Chouhan and Washington’s Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, and will include legislators from all political parties represented in both jurisdictions. Annual meetings will alternate between B.C. and Washington, with additional special meetings as needed.
The initiative builds on years of collaboration and prior discussions, including an agreement-in-principle reached in May 2025. Leaders emphasized the longstanding economic, cultural, and environmental connections between B.C. and Washington and the benefits of strengthening legislative cooperation.
The first annual meeting is scheduled for later in 2026, with members appointed by the Speaker and Lieutenant Governor. The agreement represents a major step in cross-border parliamentary diplomacy, following legislative authorizations in both B.C. and Washington in 2024 and 2025.
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