Area NDP representatives from the federal and provincial level are setting priorities and creating action plans for the spring of 2017.
Since President Donald Trump came into office, MP Brian Masse along with colleagues MP Cheryl Hardcastle, MP Tracey Ramsey and MPP Lisa Gretzky, Percy Hatfield and Taras Natyashak are all keeping a close eye on trade relations, talk of NAFTA renegotiation, border issues and immigration.
"What does Donald Trump mean by tweak? We're trying to interpret that at the provincial level, at the federal level, trying to figure out what exactly it is," says Ramsey.
She says the number one priority is to protect jobs and industries like the dairy industry and the softwood lumber industry.
Masse says these strategizing sessions help when he's in meetings with government counterparts in the United States.
"As I get the opportunity to go, I get the voice of the region from the federal and provincial aspect to push those issues to members of congress and the senate when I'm down in Washington," says Masse.
Masse has two visits to Washington scheduled in the next two months.
In addition to international relations, the government representatives discussed hydro, health care and job creation locally.