NEWS RELEASE

CANADA–U.S. IPG CO-CHAIR ATTENDS CSG NATIONAL CONFERENCE

From 6–8 December 2018, Senator Michael L. MacDonald, Co-Chair of the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (IPG), attended the Council of State Governments’ (CSG’s) national conference, which was held in Covington, Kentucky.

“Members of the IPG’s Canadian Section consistently find that the CSG’s national conference provides an important opportunity to discuss various aspects of the Canada–United States relationship with a substantial number of the United States’ state legislators,” said Senator Michael L. MacDonald, Co-Chair. “My discussions with them focused primarily on the need for legislators to work together to bring about an end to U.S. tariffs on certain Canadian steel and aluminium products.”

Senator MacDonald concluded: “At the meeting, I was also pleased to speak with the United States’ Ambassador to Canada, Kelly Craft, who gave a keynote presentation during the conference and advocated for a strong relationship between our countries. I also had a chance to meet with Joe Comartin, Canada's newly named Consul General in Detroit. He discussed such topics as the benefits for both nations that would result from an exemption for Canada from the U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs, an end to “Buy American” policies, and the construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge.”

The CSG was founded in 1933 as a forum that fosters the exchange of ideas in order to help state officials shape public policy. CSG’s mission is to champion excellence in state governments and to advance shared interests.

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.

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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