NEWS RELEASE

CANADA–U.S. IPG’S CANADIAN SECTION DELIVERS REMARKS AT THE 2018 FALL MEETING OF THE CAN/AM BORDER TRADE ALLIANCE

From 30 September–2 October 2018, Senator Michael L. MacDonald, Co-Chair, and Mr. Brian Masse, M.P., Vice-Chair, represented the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (IPG) at the 2018 fall meeting of the Canadian/American Border Trade Alliance (Can/Am BTA) in Washington, D.C. At the meeting, they had the opportunity to speak to participants about a variety of areas of Canada–U.S. cooperation.

“It is always a pleasure to attend the twice-yearly meetings of the Can/Am Border Trade Alliance,” said Senator MacDonald. “I know that my colleagues and I always learn a great deal from those who attend the meetings and deal with the shared border each and every day as they focus on security and the facilitation of legitimate trade and travellers. I also know that we welcome the opportunity to speak with participants about the Canadian Section’s priorities as we speak with our federal counterparts, governors and state legislators throughout the United States. At this meeting, Mr. Masse and I highlighted selected ways in which our two countries cooperate in three areas: trade and investment; defence and security; and energy and the environment. Of course, regarding the first of these, it was interesting to be in Washington as the negotiations for what is now known as the United States–Mexico–Canada agreement were finalized.”

Mr. Masse concluded: “I would add that many topics discussed at the Can/Am Border Trade Alliance’s meetings are important to the daily lives of Canadians and Americans. For example, trade and integrated supply chains are clearly important to businesses in Canada and the United States, and both employees who cross the border daily to work and tourists who travel to the other nation for leisure pursuits – among other purposes – value a smooth border-crossing experience. Our cooperation through Integrated Border Enforcement Teams and Shiprider to address national security threats and organized criminal activity is also notable, as is our decades-long history of cooperation in NORAD and in fighting shoulder-to-shoulder around the world. I’m reminded, for instance, of the North Wall war memorial in Windsor, which is a tangible reminder of the tens of thousands of Canadians who were killed in action, made prisoners of war or declared missing in action during the Vietnam War.”

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.

The views expressed in this news release are specific to the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States IPG. For this reason, they may not reflect the views of U.S. counterparts.

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 IPG 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