CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS MEET WITH THEIR CONGRESSIONAL COUNTERPARTS IN WASHINGTON, D.C. From 14–16 March 2016, the Honourable Wayne Easter, P.C., M.P., House of Commons Co-Chair of the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group, led a delegation to meetings with members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. The other members of the delegation were Senators Michael L. MacDonald, Vice-Chair, Paul Massicotte, Vice-Chair, Wilfred Moore, Q.C., Vice-Chair and Vern White, as well as the following members of the House of Commons: Gord Johns, Steven MacKinnon, Vice-Chair, Larry Maguire, Don Rusnak, Brenda Shanahan, Brad Trost, Vice-Chair and Dan Vandal. While in Washington, the delegation also received a briefing from Canada’s new Ambassador to the United States, David MacNaughton, and his staff, and met with members of the Canadian American Business Council. “I was honoured to lead the Canadian delegation to meetings with about 60 members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and their staff,” said Mr. Easter. “Our annual trip to Washington to meet with our federal counterparts is invaluable in identifying ways in which our two countries can work together to solve bilateral issues as they arise, and to cooperate internationally to further our joint causes. This year, we discussed topics that included border security and facilitation, bilateral trade in softwood lumber, the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, water issues and cooperation in international armed conflicts.” Mr. Easter concluded: “Of course, the briefing from Canada’s Ambassador and the Embassy staff, and the meeting with business people who are part of the Canadian American Business Council, always provide us with important context for some of the issues that are discussed during our time on Capitol Hill.” The views expressed in
this news release are specific to the Canadian Section of the 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. -30-
For further information: Hon. Janis Johnson, Senator, Co-Chair Hon. Wayne Easter, P.C., M.P., Co-Chair Ms. Miriam Burke, Association Secretary
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