NEWS RELEASE

THE CANADA–UNITED STATES INTERPARLIAMENTARY GROUP ESTABLISHES A NEW ENTITY FOCUSING ON THE GREAT LAKES AND ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

The Honourable Diane Griffin, Senator, and Mr. Vance Badawey, Vice-Chairs of the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (IPG), are pleased to announce the creation of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Group. This group – whose multi-partisan and bicameral membership is drawn from the Canada–United States IPG – will work to address the many issues facing the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River, as well as focus Parliament’s attention on this vital economic, environmental and social resource. Senator Griffin and Mr. Badawey will serve as co-chairs for this group, with Mr. Philip Lawrence, Mr. Mario Simard and Mr. Brian Masse serving as vice-chairs.

“The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Group will complement the efforts of the Canada–United States IPG to foster strong relations between Canada and the United States,” noted Senator Griffin. “The group will serve as a platform for binational and multi-partisan collaboration to tackle the complex economic, environmental and social issues that affect the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River region. With an estimated annual combined GDP of U.S. $6 trillion, the region will be an integral part of the economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

Mr. Badawey added: “The importance of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River region cannot be understated with respect to both the economic and environmental health of Canada and the United States. This group will work with our U.S. counterparts and many stakeholder organizations in the region to ensure that the most pressing issues – including cross border trade, trade corridor operations, freshwater sustainability and invasive species – are brought to the forefront of our national discourse.”

The views expressed in this news release are specific to the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States IPG.

The Canada–United States IPG aims to find points of convergence in respective national policies, to initiate dialogue on points of divergence, to encourage the exchange of information and to promote better understanding among legislators on shared issues of concern. Additional information on the Group can be found at www.parl.ca/CEUS.

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For further information:

Grant McLaughlin, Association Secretary
Canada–U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group - 613-944-4238