NEWS RELEASE

IPG’S CANADIAN SECTION MEETS WITH MEMBERS OF
THE U.S. HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

On 6 October 2017, the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (IPG) met with members of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture in Ottawa, Ontario.

“The opportunity to meet with members of the U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Committee was very beneficial in advancing the Canada–U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group’s goals,” said Mr. David McGuinty, M.P., Vice-Chair. “The IPG’s Canadian Section welcomes all opportunities to meet with U.S. legislators to discuss the nature and scope of the Canada–U.S. relationship. At the meeting, we stressed that the trade relationship is valued – on average – at almost $1.7 million every minute of every day, that an estimated 9 million U.S. jobs depend on trade and investment with Canada, and that about 400,000 people cross the two countries’ shared borders daily. As well, we highlighted our cooperation on security and defence, including through NATO and NORAD.”

Mr. McGuinty concluded: “Because of their particular interest in agriculture, we spoke to our Congressional counterparts about bilateral agriculture and agri-food trade, which was valued at US$47.2 billion in 2016: US$24.7 billion in U.S. exports to Canada and US$22.5 billion in U.S. imports from Canada. Canada is the primary export market for the United States’ agricultural products, and – similarly – the United States is an important market for Canada’s agriculture and agri-food exports. The IPG’s Canadian Section will continue to look for opportunities like this to discuss the bilateral relationship.”

The views expressed in this news release are specific to the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group. As such, they may not reflect the views of U.S. counterparts.

The Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group 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 can be found at www.parl.gc.ca/iia/us.

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For furthur information:

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

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

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