Report

From March 17 to 19, 2026, the Honourable Michael L. MacDonald, Senator, and Richard Bragdon, Member of Parliament (MP), Co-Chairs of the Canadian section of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (the Group), led a delegation to Washington, D.C., to meet with U.S. Representatives and Senators. The delegation also included the Honourable Senators Mohammad Khair Al Zaibak and Raymonde Saint-Germain, the Honourable MPs Ali Ehsassi and Ahmed Hussen, and MPs Lisa Hepfner, Melissa Lantsman and Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay. Alison Brown, Association Secretary, and Sarah Lemelin-Bellerose and Robert Mason, Library of Parliament Advisors, accompanied the delegation.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CANADA-UNITED STATES INTER-PARLIAMENTARY GROUP

Created over six decades ago, the Group has four main objectives: find points of convergence in the respective national policies of the two countries; initiate dialogue on points of divergence; encourage exchanges of information; and promote a better understanding between Canadian and American legislators on shared issues of concern.

Members of the Canadian section of the Group pursue their objectives primarily by meeting with their Congressional counterparts in D.C. or Ottawa and occasionally elsewhere in Canada or the United States. They also liaise with state legislators at national and regional conferences across the U.S. and, at times, in Canada.

OVERVIEW OF THE MISSION TO WASHINGTON

Meetings at the U.S. Congress provide an opportunity for members of the Canadian section to engage with federal legislators in the U.S., to raise awareness of significant issues impacting both Canada and the U.S., and to solicit their support. In January 2026, the Canadian section travelled to D.C. to participate in the Future Borders Coalition’s Transportation Border Summit and to meet with Members of Congress. As such, the March 2026 visit was a strategic opportunity to build on the ties established in January with various stakeholders, notably Members of the U.S. Congress, but also key leaders at the Canadian Embassy in Washington and other figures in the Canada-U.S. relationship, while expanding this network to other Members of Congress. This visit was of particular importance in the current economic and political context and leading to the review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) in July 2026.

Meetings with Members of Congress

The delegation began its mission by meeting the new Ambassador of Canada to the United States, Mark D. Wiseman, followed by a briefing at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, to gain insights in general and specific issues related to the Canada-U.S. relationship in the U.S. capital.

Over the following two days, the delegation participated in more than twenty meetings with Senators and Representatives, both Republican and Democratic. These discussions focused on several themes, including the upcoming CUSMA review, U.S. tariffs, bilateral irritants, and opportunities for collaboration in the current context. Members of Congress raised several issues with the delegates of the Canadian section, including the following:

• Members of Congress reiterated their support of the Canada-U.S. relationship and its economic and social importance, despite current tensions.

• Members expressed varying views on U.S. tariffs, with some noting that constituents generally understood the impact of these measures, especially when directly affected. Some Members mentioned concerns raised by automobile manufacturers in their districts, as one example.

• Some Members highlighted Canadian measures perceived as irritants in the United States, including the Online Streaming Act, supply management in the dairy sector, and a ban on the sale of American alcohol in certain provinces. One Representative stated that the current situation is particularly difficult for wine producers in her district, for instance.

• Several Members felt that a North American production approach for many goods would be desirable to reduce dependence on certain foreign markets, particularly China.

• One representative noted that the current climate of the relationship complicates discussions to address long-standing irritants, notably related to timber

• Some Members pointed out that U.S. legislators must simultaneously balance many domestic and international issues, which limits their ability to focus on certain specific issues, such as the relationship with Canada.

• The current climate of the Canada-U.S. relationship has also significantly affected the tourism industry. For example, Las Vegas, whose economy depends partially on tourism, particularly for conferences, has already noticed the effects of decisions by many Canadian businesses to stop hosting events in Vegas. Some members of Congress noted similar challenges in border states as well as Florida.

• Some Members spoke positively of the harmonious cooperation between Canada and the U.S. on security-related investments, notably Artic security, NORAD and other components. In fact, one Representative reinforced the importance that defence systems in North America be interoperable.

• Members provided positive feedback on Canada's efforts over the past year to strengthen the security of its land border with the United States. According to them, the illegal passage of people and certain goods has decreased and is no longer a central issue in the Canada-U.S. relationship.

• According to some Members of Congress, the upcoming midterm elections could significantly change the political situation. If the Democrats take control of the House of Representatives and/or the Senate, it could allow them to restrict certain actions of the U.S. President.

Other activities

In addition to the meetings at Congress, the Canadian section participated in a roundtable with members of the Canadian American Business Council and dialogued with researchers at the Brookings Institution. Discussions focused mainly on the upcoming CUSMA review, with the goal of better identifying outstanding trade and non-trade issues that could be raised by both sides during the review. They also examined the evolving views on free trade among Members of Congress and within the U.S. administration.

The delegation also met with the 12 Canadian consuls general in the United States, who represent Canada's interests in every region of the country, as well as Canada’s Ambassador to Mexico. This meeting provided an opportunity to discuss past examples of collaboration, to review regional priorities and to examine opportunities to strengthen the Group's regional engagement in the future.

CONCLUSION

The Canadian section of the Group once again visited Washington at a critical time for the Canada-U.S. relationship. In a context of growing global instability and uncertainties regarding trade and the economy that affect both countries, the Canadian delegates reminded U.S. counterparts of the importance of this partnership, both for their respective economies and for North American security. They underscored that cooperation between Canada and the United States remains crucial in a volatile international environment, whether in trade, defence or security.

Travel Expenses

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,