NEWS RELEASE

CANADA–U.S. IPG ATTENDS SPRING MEETING
OF THE CAN/AM BORDER TRADE ALLIANCE

From 7–9 May 2017, members of the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (IPG) attended the 2017 spring meeting of the Canadian/American Border Trade Alliance (Can/Am BTA) in Ottawa, Ontario.  Attendees included the Canadian Section’s Co-Chairs, the Honourable Michael L. MacDonald, Senator, and the Honourable Wayne Easter, P.C., M.P., as well as Senator Terry Mercer, Mr. Kerry Diotte, M.P., Ms. Karen Ludwig, M.P. and Mr. Brian Masse, M.P., Vice-Chairs. Senator MacDonald and Mr. Masse addressed the BTA delegates.

“As always, I was honoured to speak about the Canadian Section’s activities in recent months,” said Senator MacDonald. “Certainly, at this time, it is vitally important that Canada and the United States have ongoing communication about areas where we disagree and where we can work together with common cause. The dialogue must occur not only at the level of the executive and legislator to legislator, but also at meetings like the BTA, where the private sector and public sector can exchange views about the shared border, and opportunities and challenges in relation to the border.”

Mr. Masse concluded: “At the BTA meeting, my focus was what the Canadian Section hopes to achieve in the coming months. I agree with Senator MacDonald that ongoing dialogue is needed, and that will be the Section’s focus in the summer when we attend meetings of U.S. governors and American legislators. As well, we’re hopeful that we’ll be able to meet with our Congressional counterparts in Ottawa or perhaps in Washington in the fall to continue our discussions of important bilateral issues, such as trade and prosperity, security and stewardship of our shared natural resources.” 

The Can/Am BTA holds two meetings each year: in the spring in Ottawa and in the fall in Washington, D.C. The BTA is a coalition of businesses, public-sector organizations and individuals with an interest in bilateral trade and tourism. Its mission is to maximize commercial activity and ensure continued growth in cross-border trade, as well as efficient and productive border-crossing capabilities.

It should be noted that the views expressed in this news release are specific to the Canadian Section of the Canada–U.S. IPG. As such, they may not reflect the views of U.S. counterparts.

The Canada–U.S. 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.gc.ca/iia/us.

-30-

For further information:

Hon. Michael L. MacDonald, Senator, Co-Chair
Canada–U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group - 613-995-1866

Hon. Wayne Easter, P.C., M.P., Co-Chair
Canada–U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group - 613-992-2406

Ms. Miriam Burke, Association Secretary
Canada–U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group - 613-944-4238