REPORT

DELEGATION

From 20 to 24 July 2024, Mr. Michael Coteau, M.P., and Mr. Brian Masse, M.P., attended the 78 th Annual Meeting of the Council of State Governments (CSG) Midwestern Legislative Conference (MLC) in Columbus, Ohio. The delegation was accompanied by Robert Mason, Advisor to the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (IPG).

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CANADA–UNITED STATES INTER-PARLIAMENTARY GROUP

The 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. Members of the IPG’s Canadian Section meet regularly with their U.S. federal counterparts, and also attend meetings of state governors and legislators.

THE EVENT

Topics discussed during sessions of the MLC’s 78 th annual meeting included the Canada–United States (U.S.) bilateral relationship, energy and the environment, electric vehicle industry and infrastructure, and the risks and benefits of artificial intelligence. This report summarizes key plenary and concurrent discussions from the meeting, as well as a resolution regarding border rules for dogs entering the United States from Canada.

A.   RESOLUTION ON NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR DOGS ENTERING THE UNITED STATES FROM CANADA

• Throughout the conference, Canadian delegates raised concerns about imminent new requirements from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for dogs entering the U.S. from Canada. The proposed requirements included that dogs entering the U.S. from Canada be at least six months of age, have a microchip, appear healthy upon arrival, have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, and have a Canadian export document issued and signed by a Canadian licensed veterinarian.
• Canadian concerns about these proposed requirements culminated in a resolution recognizing that Canada shares the same rabies-free status as the U.S., and that the proposed rule would place unnecessary restrictions on the nearly 400,000 individuals who cross the border every day, many of whom travel with family pets or assistance dogs. The resolution also noted that the proposed rule could have a negative impact on the many cross-border truckers who travel with a dog and help move goods between the two countries.
• A revised version of the rule came into effect on 1 August 2024, with changes reflecting some of the concerns raised in the resolution.

B.   MIDWEST–CANADA RELATIONS COMMITTEE: ELECTRIC VEHICLE MANUFACTURING AND PURCHASING INCENTIVES IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA

Neal Osten, Executive Director, The Institute for State Policy Leaders

• Global investments in electric vehicles are projected to total $1.2 trillion USD by 2030. State-level policies will continue to impact the success and distribution of investments and electric vehicle adoption.
• The keys to expanded electric vehicle adoption include building convenient and reliable infrastructure, bridging the gap in upfront vehicle costs, building an efficient global supply chain, and increasing customer awareness.
• Currently, 19 states offer tax credits for the purchase of electric vehicles ranging from $1,000 to $7,500, in addition to the U.S. federal tax credit of $7,500.
• Currently, 22 states have some form of a zero-emission vehicle mandate. For example, California and New York are requiring that 100% of new vehicles sold in the state to be zero-emission by 2035.
• Many states have imposed electric vehicle registration fees to make up for lost gas tax revenues.

Matt Stephens-Rich, Director, Electrification Coaliton

• Policies such as Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Plan and the U.S. National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan are driving growth in the automotive sector and beyond.
• States and provinces with higher electric vehicle adoption rates – such as California, Washington, Quebec and British Columbia – have achieved progress through policies that support and incentivize adoption.
• The First U.S.-Canada EV Corridor was announced in May 2023, which includes hundreds of charging stations stretching from Kalamazoo, Michigan to Quebec City.
• Since fuel and maintenance costs are lower for electric vehicles, public fleets can save significant taxpayer dollars over time by investing in electric vehicles.
• The U.S. and Canada are experiencing significant job growth across the electric vehicle supply chain, from mining to parts manufacturing to vehicle maintenance, representing an estimated 25,000 to 100,000 new jobs in Canada by 2040, and more than 160,000 new jobs in the U.S. by 2032.
• The U.S. and Canada have heavily invested in onshoring and friend-shoring critical minerals to support the electric vehicle transition.
• Existing automotive battery recycling facilities are being adapted to recycle electric vehicle batteries.

C.   PLENARY SESSION: THE GREAT LAKES AND BEYOND: PROTECTING THE MIDWEST’S WATER RESOURCES

Following an introduction by Governor Mike DeWine, a panel discussion was moderated by Erika Jensen (Executive Director, Great Lakes Commission), with panelists Dan Egan (author, “The Devil’s Element: Phosphorus and a World out of Balance”), Joy Mulinex (Director, Ohio Lake Erie Commission) and Kirsten Wallace (Executive Director, Upper Mississippi River Basin Association).

Key points of discussion:

• In 2015, following threats to safe drinking water stemming from toxic algal blooms, Ohio, Michigan and Ontario agreed to reduce phosphorus inputs into Lake Erie by 40 percent by 2025.
• In Ohio, efforts to meet the 2025 goal include the H2Ohio water quality initiative, in which farmers agree to adopt nutrient management plans and practices to reduce nutrient runoff.
• More progress is needed to meet the 2025 goal. Challenges are exacerbated by climate change and invasive species. More emphasis on soil testing and tailoring the necessary nutrients to specific needs would be helpful.
• Due to diminishing phosphorous supply in the U.S., investment is needed in technologies that improve efficiency and allow phosphorous to be reclaimed.

D.   MIDWEST–CANADA RELATIONS COMMITTEE: CROSS-BORDER LAW ENFORCEMENT

A panel discussion on cross-border law enforcement included Janet Campbell (President and CEO, Joy Smith Foundation), Melissa Kaiser (Grant Tech, North Dakota Human Trafficking Task Force), Abeid Morgan (Assistant Director, Ontario Firearms Smuggling Enforcement Team, Canada Border Services Agency) and Teresa Petit (Special Agent, U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives).

Key points of discussion:

• Cross-border collaboration and information sharing between law enforcement officials lead to safer communities in the U.S. and Canada.
• The U.S.–Canada Cross-Border Crime Forum is an important ministerial level annual meeting to discuss ways to enhance collaboration, which recently concluded in Washington.
• Canadian and U.S. law enforcement agencies routinely work together to combat gun and drug trafficking, and human smuggling.
• While there are challenges in measuring the scale of the problem due to its illicit nature, there have been recent successes in tracing and disrupting illicit cross-border supply chains for fentanyl and synthetic opioids.
• Similarly, firearms are often smuggled from states like Ohio for use in organized crime in Canada. These links – which often include familial ties – need to be traced on both sides of the border.
• Online and hate crimes are a growing challenge, including the increasing use of artificial intelligence to fuel sextortion, deepfakes and child pornography. These crimes typically have cross-border implications and are often linked to social media or gambling sites.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

The CSG MLC allowed members of the Canadian Section to engage with U.S. state and Canadian provincial legislators and other stakeholders from across the Midwest region on issues affecting Canada and the United States. Members were able to gather information on many important topics that relate to their role as federal legislators, including border issues, the automotive sector, energy, and the environment. Delegates discussed the connection of the Gordie Howe Bridge and the enormous economic opportunities that it represents. For members of the Canadian Section, the CSG MLC is a key opportunity for sharing and promoting binational dialogue, and Saskatchewan’s hosting of the CSG MLC in 2025 presents an important opportunity to further deepen these connections.

Travel Costs   

Travel expenses associated with this activity can be found in the delegation’s financial report. This report is available in the Financial Disclosure section of the Parliamentary Diplomacy website.

Respectfully Submitted,