VICTORIA, B.C. - British Columbia Premier Christy Clark called for a new softwood trade agreement with the U.S., issuing congratulations to President-elect Donald Trump and U.S. Senators elected in neighboring states during the November 8 elections in the United States of America.

“On behalf of British Columbia, I would like to congratulate President-elect Donald J. Trump, as well as Governor Jay Inslee in Washington State, Senator Lisa Murkowski in Alaska, and everyone else who pursued elected office," Clark said.

“The United States is a close friend and partner of British Columbia. Alongside the Government of Canada, we will work diligently and with determination to ensure we protect and grow the relationship that is crucial to working families in our province on issues like free trade and a new softwood lumber agreement."

The long simmering trade dispute has been rising in prominence follow its expiration in October. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Barack Obama pledged to settle the dispute during a state dinner in Washington, D.C. in June.

Last week Premier Clark visited the site of the Woodfibre LNG project, which has received board authorization to proceed with the $1.6-billion project that will create 650 jobs during construction and 100 operational jobs over the 25-year lifespan of the project.

The project is expected to be the cleanest LNG project in the world and one of the largest private-sector investments in the Lower Mainland’s history, Clark's office says. Woodfibre LNG project is a small- to medium-sized LNG processing and export facility to be constructed at the former Woodfibre pulp mill site, sold to Woodfibre last year by Western Forest Products, located about seven kilometres southwest of Squamish.

“As well, we should recognize Secretary Hillary Clinton’s historic run," Clark said. "For the first time, a woman has contested the presidency for one of the two major political parties – a significant and important signal to the millions of women and girls around the globe who saw it happen, in real time.”