About the Pacific Coast Collaborative

On June 30, 2008, the leaders of Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and California came together to sign the Pacific Coast Collaborative Agreement , the first agreement that brings the Pacific leaders together as a common front to set a co-operative direction into the Pacific Century. Out of this agreement was born the Pacific Coast Collaborative - a formal basis for cooperative action, a forum for leadership and information sharing, and a common voice on issues faced by the region. The agreement provides a framework for cooperative action; a forum for leadership and the sharing of information on best practices; and a common voice on issues facing coastal and Pacific jurisdictions with the goal of positioning the region as the centre of innovation and sustainable living in the Pacific Century. Clean energy; regional transportation; innovation, research and development; regional economy; emergency management; and other areas that would benefit from cooperative action are identified as key priorities.

The plan to build a Pacific Coast Collaborative was first announced in the 2007 British Columbia Speech from the Throne. Agreements signed that year to take action on climate change between B.C. and California, Washington and Oregon laid the foundation for further collaboration among the jurisdictions, and the Pacific Coast Collaborative Agreement, bringing together all Pacific coastal jurisdictions, was signed at the Western Governors’ Conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on June 30, 2008.

The collaborative will meet at least once a year, with the chair and the meeting location rotating annually through each jurisdiction. These meetings will be a forum for information sharing and create the opportunity for collaborative action by several or all of the members together.

The Pacific Coast Collaborative will see information sharing and co-operation on clean energy; regional transportation; innovation, research and development; enhancing a sustainable regional economy, especially with respect to environmental goods and services; emergency management; and other current topics.