CANADA-U.S.
IPG ATTENDS SPRING MEETING OF THE CAN/AM BORDER TRADE ALLIANCE
From May 5-7, 2013, members of the
Canadian Section of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (IPG) attended
the spring meeting of the Canadian/American Border Trade Alliance (Can/Am BTA)
in Ottawa, Ontario. In particular, Mr. John Carmichael, M.P., Vice-Chair, Mr.
Brian Masse, M.P., Vice-Chair, Mr. David McGuinty, M.P. and Mr. Bob Zimmer,
M.P. represented the IPG. Mr. Gord Brown, M.P., Co-Chair and Senator Michael L.
MacDonald, Vice-Chair spoke to the meeting’s participants.
“I am always pleased to speak at the BTA’s meetings, as it
provides an important opportunity for the IPG’s Canadian Section to share what
we have done in the recent past and what we hope to accomplish in the near
future,” said Mr. Brown. “On this occasion, I was particularly happy to speak
about the solid progress that is being made in preparing for the IPG’s annual
meeting, which we expect to be hosting in the fall. Members of the U.S. House
of Representatives will travel to Canada’s capital for discussions about a
range of bilateral issues, and we are hopeful that some members of the U.S.
Senate will be able to join us as well.”
Senator MacDonald concluded: “I agree wholeheartedly with my
colleague, Gord Brown. Certainly, members who attend the BTA meetings deal with
border-related issues – delays, fees, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient
staffing and others – at the shared border each and every day. It’s important
that they know what we’re doing as we seek a seamless, yet secure, common
border, and it’s equally important that we learn from them – firsthand – about the
challenges that they face. We need to have that knowledge in hand and uppermost
in our minds when we meet with our federal and state counterparts, as well as
with U.S. governors.”
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.
It should be noted that the views expressed in this news
release are specific to the Canadian Section of the Canada-United States
Inter-Parliamentary Group and, as such, may not reflect the views of our US
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 on the Group can be found at www.parl.gc.ca/iia/us.
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For further information:
Hon. Janis Johnson, Senator, Co-Chair
Canada-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group - 613-943-1430
Mr. Gord Brown, M.P., Co-Chair
Canada-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group - 613-992-8756
Ms. Angela Crandall, Association Secretary
Canada-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group - 613-944-4238
