British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon sign agreement to renew and strengthen their collaboration and partnership across Cascadia
Thursday, October 30, 2025
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| Cascadia |
SEATTLE – As part of the Cascadia Innovation Corridor conference, leaders from the Province of British Columbia, the State of Washington, and the State of Oregon today signed a Memorandum of Reaffirmation renewing their cross-border partnership designed to strengthen collaboration in innovation, housing affordability, sustainability, connectivity including high speed rail, and economic development across the Pacific Northwest.
The new agreement reaffirms and builds upon prior Memoranda of Understanding between British Columbia and Washington signed in 2016 and 2018, while formally extending the partnership to include Oregon for the first time.
“Ten years ago, we set out to do something ambitious — to create a cross-border partnership that united business and government, universities and nonprofits, around a shared vision of innovation, sustainability, and prosperity.
"A decade later, the Cascadia Innovation Corridor has not only endured but grown stronger," said former Governor Chris Gregoire, Chair of the Cascadia Innovation Corridor and CEO of Challenge Seattle.
"Even when forces threaten to divide our long-standing relationship, Cascadia reminds us that our own cooperation and trust can endure across borders. We’ve proven that working together across regions is not only possible — it’s powerful.”
Under the Memorandum, the three jurisdictions pledge to build on the 2016 and 2018 agreements between British Columbia and Washington, expanding cooperation across all three governments to advance shared priorities in innovation, housing affordability, environmental stewardship, and transportation connectivity.
The renewed partnership focuses on strengthening collaboration in fields such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, and advanced computing — enhancing Cascadia’s global competitiveness.
“This partnership reflects the shared values of our region — practical problem-solving and a commitment to progress,” said Washington Governor Bob Ferguson. “By addressing housing affordability, investing in clean energy, and creating the conditions for long-term economic growth, Cascadia will remain one of the most competitive and livable regions in the world.”
“This partnership strengthens our ability to expand housing supply and create more jobs,” said Oregon Governor Kotek. “Together, we can plan for a more connected, affordable, and economically stable future across Cascadia.”
“For decades, British Columbia, Washington and Oregon have built deep ties that are stronger than recent efforts to divide us,” said British Columbia Premier David Eby.
“We know that British Columbia is stronger when we work together with our neighbors in the U.S. We are proud to reaffirm our commitment to work with the governors of Oregon and Washington and look forward to growing together as a global hub of innovation and economic opportunity.”
“This partnership reflects the shared values of our region — practical problem-solving and a commitment to progress,” said Washington Governor Bob Ferguson. “By addressing housing affordability, investing in clean energy, and creating the conditions for long-term economic growth, Cascadia will remain one of the most competitive and livable regions in the world.”
“This partnership strengthens our ability to expand housing supply and create more jobs,” said Oregon Governor Kotek. “Together, we can plan for a more connected, affordable, and economically stable future across Cascadia.”
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34 comments:
Why? Makes more sense to have Idaho not BC.
Article I, Sec. 10, Clause 1 of the US Constitution:
"No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility."
Apparently, Govs. Ferguson and Kotek need to be reminded that they aren't officers of the federal government. I can't speak for Premier Eby.
An MOU is not a treaty, alliance or confederation, moron. Idaho signs MOUs all the time with Alberta. https://open.alberta.ca/publications/idaho-alberta-relations
Recognizing shared vision and values regionally creates a beautiful handshake between states, provinces, and countries. It strengthens resolve to care for the shared jewels of our topography - waterways, forests, and mountain ranges - that are so much a part of the Cascadia identity. There are no laws preventing like-minded citizens of sister countries from connecting over ideas that protect, promote, and preserve our abilities to innovate, coalesce in our respective communities, and ensure continuation of the wild lands we celebrate.
Seriously? Idaho? 😬
This is such a contrast with all hell that’s breaking loose between Michigan & Ontario. I think because “Cascadia” might actually be considerably smaller in economic scale than MI. The Ambassador Bridge across the Detroit River is something like the largest international trade port within North America. It’s huge. As such, Ontario’s scathing ad quoting Reagan just caused Trump to increase the tariff to Canada another 10%! Touchy touchy touchy.
Not sure where you got that idea, Washington's economy is bigger than Michigan's, without even including Oregon or BC in the mix. WA nominal GDP alone is about $148 billion more than MI and ranks 3rd in the US for GDP per capita, Michigan's economy is growing but still doesn't come close.
Now you care about the constitution?
I don’t think Idaho would be interested in a partnership with The Coast. For obvious reasons.
Perhaps because with the MOU for Cascadia, all people are equal - treated with respect and compassion?
Cascadia's annual economy vs MI's economy: Cascadia, US$1.1 trillion, MI, only $702.5 billion...so, no.
No. Cascadia's economy is in excess of 1.1 trillion, vs MI's 702 billion.
Let's call it Ecotopia!
Actually I think that Washington alone has a larger GDP than Michigan. Michigan does win on the football field
…make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts…. Lol
This just recognizes the obvious (to people who live in the PNW): BC, WA, OR, and North CA share a distinct culture, especially west of the Cascade Range. Not better, worse, just distinct, like a lot of states, counties, regions. Just travel to those places and it's pretty obvious.
This just states what is obvious: BC, WA, OR, and N CA share a common culture (especially west of the Cascade Range). Not better, worse, just distinct, like a lot of states, counties, regions, etc. No biggy--it's not like they're going start hoarding their timber, salmon, hydro-power, awesome mountains, clean and plentiful water, awesome coastlines and forests, great beer, awesome food, etc.
The law means nothing. Just as our correct so called president
Are you saying they may be breaking rules or laws? Shocking! The feds NEVER DO THAT!
I wish that were true
Idaho, not close with GDP and level of acceptance with all people, gay, straight, trans, bisexual. So much diversity in BC, much like WA/OR. We don't need a conservative piece.
22nd Amendment: No President shall be elected more than twice. So while you are getting incredulous maybe consider all the things going on that defy “the constitution” since this dynasty took power.
You... are not especially familiar with the stark political differences between those three territories working together and Idaho, are you?
Outsider here. It seems to me Idaho doesn't play well with others except when they try to steal part of Oregon!
A collaborative governmental communication always trumps a confrontational one. That's trump with a lower case t.
Has it ever occurred to those opposing Idaho that eastern Wa and eastern Oregon have much more in common with Idaho than they do BC. It's a fairy dust concept anyway. We have the Pacific NW in reality and in Fairy Land we have Cascadia.
A literate elder with an intact memory.
I would like to see them collectively protect the ocean the share.
That’s funny considering every part of this administration is wrongfully and illegally going about almost everything they do. Article one in any part of the constitution only works if all people including those at the top follow the law. Nice try though.
I'm happy to see B.C., WA and OR work together. The Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains bring the three entities together in many ways. I see several references to Idaho as a possible 4th to the group. While there are positives to that, being a western Oregonian I've been concerned about the push by Idaho to take part of my state of Oregon through the Greater Idaho movement. I would like to see Idaho butt out of our state business and Oregon focus on bringing all Oregonians to the table: conservative, liberal and middle of the road. Idaho, you'll have your own problems soon enough with all of the recent migration into your state. You're just later to the table then your western neighbors.
Our President ignores the US Constitution when he sees fit.
Our Governor ignores the US and WA Constitutions when he sees fit.
Our State Supreme Court is the laughingstock of the nation, holding their noses and calling a capital gains tax an excise tax instead of the income tax that it actually is. They will bend language until it breaks in order to rubber stamp any unconstitutional measure passed by our state Legislature.
So yes, now I care about the Constitution. Now and always. I care about it a hell of a lot more than any of the people I mentioned.
For anyone trying to use the Constitution as a reason why this is somehow illegal:
We don't have a federal government anymore, and you're seeing states step up to take care of the work that needs to get done.
Whatever federal law would have governed international relations is moot considering this administration has shredded the constitution and the rule of law.
We no long live in the United States. Because that country no longer exists. That people keep calling it that is an error. You're not being represented at the national level living here, so why call yourself part of that autocracy?
We literally fought a war over taxation without representation. How far we've fallen in forgetting that.
Proud to live in Cascadia.
I think we can safely assume that the AG’s have done their due diligence to make sure we are not violating the constitution.
The common coastline allows marine ventures to be more universally supported , whether sustainably harvesting, tourism, or transportation.
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