Inside PNWER 2026: What Every Alberta Municipality Should Know

This week, we're taking our conversation beyond Alberta's borders—but not beyond the issues that matter most here at home. Municipal governments don't operate in isolation anymore. The challenges facing our communities—from housing affordability and infrastructure to economic development, public safety, emergency management, energy, water, and trade—are increasingly shared across provinces, territories, and even international borders. That's why it's so important for municipal leaders to have a seat at the table where those conversations are happening. One of those tables is the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region, better known as PNWER. For more than three decades, this unique cross-border partnership has brought together leaders from Western Canada and the Northwestern United States to exchange ideas, build relationships, and tackle the issues that connect our economies and our communities. This year's PNWER Annual Summit in Edmonton gathered elected officials, business leaders, Indigenous leaders, academics, and industry experts from across the region. While national governments often dominate the headlines, it's frequently municipalities that are on the front lines of implementing solutions—and conferences like this provide an opportunity for local leaders to both learn from others and ensure their communities have a voice in shaping regional priorities. Joining us today is the Mayor of Okotoks, Tanya Thorn, who attended the 2026 PNWER Summit as part of Alberta's municipal delegation. Our conversation isn't simply about what happened at a conference. It's about what happens after the conference. What conversations stood out? What ideas can be brought back to Alberta? What are communities across the Pacific Northwest doing differently? And what did Mayor Thorn hear from government leaders, business executives, Indigenous partners, and stakeholders about the future of our region? We'll also discuss why municipal representation matters in forums like PNWER. Local governments are responsible for delivering many of the services residents rely on every day, and the decisions made through collaboration across jurisdictions can influence everything from economic competitiveness and trade to infrastructure investment, innovation, and community resilience. As Alberta municipalities continue to navigate growth, changing economic conditions, and increasing demands on local government, hearing directly from leaders across the Northwest provides valuable perspective—and perhaps a few ideas worth bringing home. Mayor Tanya Thorn joins us next to share her key takeaways from the 2026 PNWER Summit in Edmonton, and why being part of the regional conversation matters for communities like Okotoks—and for municipalities across Alberta. ----- Support The Show Today: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/support-the-show Join The Show: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/be-part-of-the-show ------ Listen To The Show: Apple: https://apple.co/41p5I2I Spotify: https://bit.ly/3tkvb0E YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/ Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network ©2026