Report

A.   DELEGATION

From 27 to 28 February 2024, Senator Michael MacDonald and Mr. Brian Masse, M.P., attended “Canada Day in Albany,” hosted by the Consulate General of Canada in New York, in Albany, State of New York. The delegation was accompanied by Zachariah Black, Advisor to the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (IPG).

B.   THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CANADA–UNITED STATES INTER-PARLIAMENTARY GROUP

The 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. Members of the IPG’s Canadian Section meet regularly with their U.S. federal counterparts, and also attend meetings of U.S. governors and state legislators. At these events, Canadian delegates engage in conversations that help the Canadian Section to achieve its objectives, and that explain the nature and scope of the bilateral relationship.

C.   THE EVENT

During “Canada Day in Albany,” members of the IPG met for a breakfast roundtable with leaders of the New York State Legislature, members of the New York State (NYS) Assembly’s Task Force on New York–Canada Relations, the Consul General of Canada in New York, the Delegate General of Quebec in New York, and the Representative of Ontario to Washington, D.C. Members of the IPG also attended meetings with Assemblymembers and attended readings of the Canada Day Resolution on the floors of the New York State Senate and Assembly. Lastly, they attended a reception with New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State legislators, regional business and community leaders, and other guests.

This report summarizes the plenary and selected concurrent discussions that occurred as part of the “Canada Day in Albany” event.

1.   Breakfast Roundtable

The following people took part in the event:

• Senator Michael MacDonald, IPG
• Brian Masse, M.P., IPG
• Tom Clark, Consul General of Canada in New York
• Billy Jones, Chair of the Task Force on New York–Canada Relations (the Task Force) and NYS Assemblymember, Assembly District 115
• Stacey Pheffer Amato, NYS Assemblymember, Assembly District 23
• Marianne Buttenschon, NYS Assemblymember, Assembly District 119
• Jen Lunsford, NYS Assemblymember, Assembly District 135
• William Conrad, NYS Assemblymember, Assembly District 140
• Scott Gray, NYS Assemblymember, Assembly District 116
• Matthew Simpson, NYS Assemblymember, Assembly District 114
• Robert C. Carroll, NYS Assemblymember, Assembly District 44
• Martine Hébert, Delegate General of Quebec in New York
• David Paterson, Representative of Ontario in Washington, D.C.
• Garry Douglas, Head of the Hudson Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Ian Chan, Deputy Secretary for Intergovernmental and External Affairs, Office of NYS Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie

Attendees of the breakfast roundtable raised the following points:

• There is a close relationship between Canada and NYS. The Task Force, which has been created for NYS Assemblymembers to engage with Canadian politicians and business leaders, understands the importance of this relationship. The Task Force also serves to educate other members of the NYS Assembly about the importance of that state’s relationship with Canada.
• Approximately 500,000 jobs in New York State are supported by trade with Canada.
• The close economic relationship between Canada and New York State offers prospects for further economic integration.
• There are opportunities for Canada and New York State to work together on critical minerals. In New York State, some districts have developed high-tech industries, including facilities for semiconductors and microchips. These industries could be valuable for Canada, which has extensive critical mineral resources. Canada also has production sites for six of the minerals required for electric vehicle battery production.
• There are advantages for the United States to source critical minerals from a country like Canada.
• The Champlain Hudson Power Express, an energy transmission line being built to bring hydropower from Quebec to the New York City metropolitan area, was said to have a positive impact on several districts in New York State.
• The St. Lawrence Seaway is an important historic example of the advantages of Canada–U.S. collaboration.

2.   Meetings with New York State Assembly Members

Members of the IPG also joined Consul General Clark, Delegate General Hébert and Representative Paterson to meet with several New York State Senators and Assembly members, including Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, 35^th Senate District; Speaker of the Assembly Carl Heastie, Assembly District 83; Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Assembly District 141; Assembly Minority Leader William Barclay, Assembly District 120; and the staff of Senate Minority Leader Robert G. Ortt, 62^nd Senate District. During those discussions, the following points were raised:

• The importance of the Canada–New York State relationship.
• The Canada–U.S. border as an important institutional achievement for both countries, in terms of mobility of goods and persons as well as security.
• Possible opportunities for future partnerships on energy-related matters, including the establishment of robust cross-border critical mineral supply chains.
• The possibility of a future Canada–New York State energy summit.
• Whether Canada might be granted an exemption from certain “Buy America” and “Buy American” provisions.
• The opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge and the current staffing challenges it faces on both sides of the border.
• A participant noted concerns about increasing illegal immigration at the Canada–New York State border.
• A participant inquired about whether Canada was meeting its emissions goals.

3.   Readings of the Canada Day Resolution on the Floor of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly

Senator Timothy M. Kennedy introduced the Canada Day Resolution on the floor of the New York State Senate. The IPG delegates were recognized by the Senate and the privileges of the Senate were extended to the delegates.

Assemblymember Billy Jones introduced the Canada Day Resolution on the floor of the New York State Assembly. All the members of the Canadian delegations were recognized on the floor of the Assembly.

The text of the resolution, which underscores the depth and extent of the relationship of New York State and the United States with Canada, can be accessed on the New York State Senate’s website.

4.   Reception at the Renaissance Hotel

The reception was attended by approximately 100 guests, including the IPG, the Consul General, the delegates from Ontario and Quebec, members of the New York State Assembly and Senate, and New York State community leaders. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul delivered a speech expressing her excitement at the prospects for further partnership with Canada and Canadian businesses, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence. Governor Hochul remarked upon the need to protect the border while keeping it open for trade. Governor Hochul observed that, as she is from Buffalo, NY, she understands well the importance of the relationship with Canada and is well-positioned as governor to contribute to the growth of the Canada–New York State relationship.

Senator Michael MacDonald also delivered remarks, in which he emphasized the importance and potential of the relationship between Canada and the United States. He characterized the Canada–U.S. border as a two-way mirror into which Canadians are always looking, but into which Americans only seem to look when they have an issue to address. Senator MacDonald reiterated Canada’s support for the U.S. and for New York State and emphasized the advantages of energy security for the two countries.

Respectfully Submitted,