NEWS RELEASE

CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS MEET WITH THEIR CONGRESSIONAL COUNTERPARTS

From 15–17 May 2018, Senator Michael L. MacDonald and the Honourable Wayne Easter, P.C., M.P., Co-Chairs of the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group, led a delegation to Washington, D.C. for meetings on Capitol Hill. The other members of the delegation were Senators Dennis Dawson, Paul J. Massicotte, Vice-Chair and Yuen Pau Woo, Vice-Chair, as well as the Honourable John McKay, P.C., M.P., Vice-Chair, Mr. Vance Badawey, M.P., Vice-Chair, Mr. Kerry Diotte, M.P., Vice-Chair, Mr. Randy Hoback, M.P., Vice-Chair, Mr. James Maloney, M.P., Mr. Brian Masse, M.P., Vice-Chair and Mr. Francesco Sorbara, M.P., Vice-Chair. While in Washington, members of the Canadian Section also had the opportunity to attend an event organized by the Canadian American Business Council and The Hill on the topic of “NAFTA & North American Competitiveness: A US-Canada Conversation.” During the event, Mr. Easter was interviewed by The Hill’s Editor-in-Chief, Bob Cusack.

“We were pleased to be able to meet with about 70 U.S. Senators, Representatives and their staff,” said Mr. Easter. “We hope that future visits with them will be equally fruitful in identifying how best to work together for our joint benefit. This is a particularly critical time in the Canada–U.S. relationship because of the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations that continue to be under way. It was also interesting to have our meetings in the same week that Speaker Paul Ryan had identified as critical in order for a modernized NAFTA to be considered by this Congress. Certainly, virtually everyone with whom we met understands both the importance of rules-based trade and the need for our countries to work together in competing – as a North American bloc – with the rest of the world.”

Senator Michael L. MacDonald concluded: “Free and fair trade is critical to the economies of both countries. The integrated supply chains that have evolved since NAFTA came into force help to ensure prosperity for our businesses, and – ultimately – the timely production and delivery of the goods that consumers want. I am among those who remain hopeful that the NAFTA negotiations will come to a timely and successful conclusion. The uncertainty that is being created is harmful to both countries because it is affecting investment and other planning. I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that our discussions with our Congressional counterparts also focused on such other important bilateral topics as a range of security issues, the unintended impacts of recent U.S. tax changes on U.S.–Canadian dual citizens, opioid abuse and the legalization of cannabis in Canada.”

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–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