N E W S  R E L E A S E

Canada–U.S. IPG Attends Can/Am Border Trade Alliance’s May 2016 Meeting

On 2 May 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 (IPG), and Senator Wilfred Moore, Q.C., Vice-Chair of the IPG, spoke at the spring meeting of the Canadian/American Border Trade Alliance (Can/Am BTA) in Ottawa, Ontario. Their remarks focused on the recent past and expected future activities of the Canadian Section. At the meeting, the Canadian Section was also represented by Senator Michael L. MacDonald, Vice-Chair, Mr. Brian Masse, M.P., Vice-Chair, Mr. David McGuinty, M.P., Vice-Chair and Mr. Bev Shipley, M.P.

“The relationship that the IPG’s Canadian Section has with the Can/Am BTA reflects a goal that we share: borders between Canada and the United States that are secure and that function well.  Certainly, both of these requirements are important as our countries seek growth and prosperity for businesses and people,” said Mr. Easter. “When members of the Canadian Section meet with federal counterparts, and with U.S. governors and state legislators, we take every opportunity we can to stress the importance of working together on border-related and other common priorities.”

Mr. Easter concluded: “Our continued participation at the BTA’s meetings is invaluable in allowing us to learn about what is happening at the borders on a daily basis. Certainly, we gain insights from government officials and business people about what is working well, what isn’t working as well as it could, and what needs to be changed. This information then informs our efforts.”

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 IPG. As such, 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 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

Hon. Wayne Easter, P.C., M.P., Co-Chair
Canada–U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group - 613-992-2406

Mrs. Miriam Burke, Association Secretary
Canada–U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group - 613-944-4238