[Excerpts from July 24 Manitoba Government Press Release]
Premier Gary Doer met with Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty today to discuss a number of issues including trade, BSE, water, energy, security and tourism. It was Doer’s first meeting with the new Minnesota governor, who was elected last November and took office in January following Jesse Ventura’s decision not to seek re-election.

At the July 16 – 17 Legislators’ Forum in South Dakota, a resolution was passed calling on the federal governments of Canada and the U.S. to agree to "establish normal trade on basis of sound science, science-based risk assessments, and recommendations provided by animal health and food safety officials."

Manitoba and Minnesota enjoy a long and important relationship. On water issues, the two jurisdictions share common positions on the need to protect and improve water quality, on opposition to the Devils Lake outlet project in North Dakota, and on working together to enhance flood protection in the Red River Valley.

Other items on the agenda for today’s meeting were border security, co-operation on tourism and trade including biotechnology, and promoting hydro and alternative energy.

Full Release

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