NEWS RELEASE

CANADA–U.S. IPG ATTENDS 2017 FALL MEETING
OF THE CAN/AM BORDER TRADE ALLIANCE

On 2 October 2017, the Honourable Wayne Easter, P.C., M.P., Co-Chair of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (IPG), represented the IPG’s Canadian Section at the 2017 fall meeting of the Canadian/American Border Trade Alliance (Can/Am BTA) in Washington, D.C.

“As always, I was honoured to be able to attend a meeting of the Can/Am Border Trade Alliance, and to speak to those at the meeting about the Canada–U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group: what the IPG’s Canadian Section has done in the recent past, and what it hopes to achieve in the near future,” said Mr. Easter. “I think that it’s helpful for us to be able to share, with those who deal with the common border each and every day, the Canadian Section’s priorities regarding the Canada–U.S. relationship and shared borders.”

Mr. Easter concluded: “This year, my particular focus was what I view as a key influence on the Canada–U.S. border: the daily trade that crosses it. I believe that the border will be affected – for good or for ill, depending on the outcome – by the current efforts to negotiate changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement. In my remarks, I highlighted what some see as potential ‘sticking points’ in those efforts, including negotiations about Chapter 19, procurement and a sunset clause tied to the U.S. trade deficit. Of course, the aggressive timeline is another important consideration, as are ‘rumblings’ about the United States withdrawing from NAFTA. Certainly, the IPG’s Canadian Section will be monitoring the ongoing negotiations.” 

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 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 further 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