November 15, 2023

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                

  

MASSE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AS PART OF CANADA-UNITED STATES INTERPARLIAMENTARY GROUP CONGRESSIONAL VISIT

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] Brian Masse MP Windsor West, Vice Chair of the Canada-U.S. Inter- Parliamentary Group (CEUS) is in Washington, D.C. as part of a Canadian delegation including Members of Parliament and Senators. The Inter Parliamentary Group (IPG) delegation is also accompanied by the Association Secretary and two Association Analysts for meetings with U.S. representatives and senators, for a Congressional Visit from November 14-16, 2023. Meetings at the Capitol provide an opportunity for Canadian Section members to meet with federal legislators in the U.S. and inform them of critical issues that impact Canada and the U.S. and to gain their support.

The delegates started their meetings on Tuesday morning with a briefing session at the Canadian Embassy, where Canadian Section delegates noted that Canada is the top international economic partner of most U.S. states and emphasized that Canada and the U.S. have many common interests and would benefit from greater collaboration. Delegates then proceeded to the Canada Institute Wilson Center – the only public policy forum in the world dedicated to the full spectrum of Canada-U.S. issues. Through the various meetings the Canadian Section made U.S. legislators aware of the unintended impacts of certain U.S. policies on Canada and suggests ways to address them.

 

The IPG has four main objectives: find points of convergence in the respective national policies of Canada and the United States, initiate dialogue on points of divergence, encourage exchanges of information and promote better understanding between Canadian and American parliamentarians on shared issues of concern.

 

Over the three days the delegation is meeting with Members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, where the Association’s aim is to find points of convergence in the respective national policies, initiate dialogue on points of divergence, encourage exchanges of information, and promote better understanding between the two countries.

 

By travelling to Washington for meetings with US Senators and members of the House of Representatives, Association members continue their bilateral efforts by discussing issues of North American trade and investment, energy and environment, security and defense, Great Lakes, and the Canada/United States border. Meetings will conclude with an American Canadian Economy and Security Caucus Reception and an evening tour of the U.S. Capitol.

 

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