From 4–6 October 2015, Senator Wilfred
Moore, Q.C., Vice-Chair of the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States
Inter-Parliamentary Group (IPG), led a delegation to the 2015 fall meeting of
the Canadian/American Border Trade Alliance (Can/Am BTA) in Washington, D.C.
The other delegate was Senator Jane Cordy. Senators Moore and Cordy spoke to
meeting participants about the recent past and expected future activities of
the Canadian Section.
“The Canada–United States IPG was
pleased to attend this fall meeting of the Can/Am BTA, an organization that is
focused on many of the same issues as the IPG, such as the secure and smooth
movement of people and goods across the borders that Canada shares with the
United States. We were also happy to be able to speak about the IPG’s
priorities as we meet with our federal counterparts, U.S. governors and
American state legislators,” said Senator Moore.
Senator Moore concluded: “Beginning
with the priorities outlined in the 2001 Smart Border Action Plan concluded by
Canada and the United States in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001
terrorist attacks, and continuing with the work that is being done in the
context of the Beyond the Border and Regulatory Cooperation Council
initiatives, I’m glad to see that our countries are working cooperatively on
measures designed to enhance joint prosperity for us, as well as for all three North
American countries. Certainly, I think that the IPG and the BTA are of one mind
on the importance of such collaborative efforts toward realizing the creation
of a powerful North American trading bloc.”
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 and, as such, 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:
Mrs. Miriam Burke, Association Secretary
Canada–U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group - 613-944-4238