May 15, 2006

Ottawa - From 5-8 May 2006, the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group held its 47th Annual Meeting in Charleston, South Carolina. Attending the meeting were seven Canadian Senators and fifteen members of the House of Commons, as well as four American Senators and eleven members of the House of Representatives.

Senator Jerry Grafstein, Canadian Co-Chair of the Group, noted that "this meeting - like our previous meetings - was characterized by the frank and fruitful discussions that lead to resolution of our differences and the identification of areas where we can work together for common cause. I know that I speak on behalf of all members of the Canadian delegation when I say that we view the Annual Meeting as an invaluable opportunity for us to work together for our joint benefit."

"Certainly, I share the sentiments of my Canadian colleague," said Senator Mike Crapo, U.S. Co-Chair. "The linkages and friendships that are made at occasions such as these are unparalleled as we attempt to move forward with an agenda that leads to prosperity and a rising standard of living for our citizens and businesses.

Jason Kenney, M.P., of the Canadian delegation, commented that "the topics discussed at the various plenary and committee sessions are the types of issues that affect us each and every day. Clearly, the similarities between our countries exceed our differences, and the spirit of cooperation among delegates is a clear indication of the desire to work together to address common concerns."

"As a long-standing member of the Inter-Parliamentary Group, I cannot stress enough how important it is that we continue the dialogue that defines our close friendship. Our trade and economic relationship is certainly critical to both of our countries, but so too are the family relationships and friendships that span the border," concluded Representative Don Manzullo, U.S. Co-Chair.

At the meeting, the delegates agreed to the following resolutions:

• Delegates recognize that the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is a matter of considerable debate on both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border for various reasons, including its potential for substantial negative economic impact. Delegates also recognize, however, that the Initiative continues to move forward toward implementation. During animated discussions, delegates also recognized that the final details about how this border security measure would be implemented are still being considered by the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security. It is the consensus of delegates that the process of implementation of the WHTI warrants closer examination by both nations to ensure that it is effective, efficient and user-friendly before it is implemented.
• Delegates recognize that a cooperative approach to develop a North American Energy Strategy is critical. Our future energy security will depend on the development and implementation of new technologies. The transfer of this technology globally will deal with the global problem of air pollution and climate change. Both countries should be encouraged to become world leaders in: conservation; carbon dioxide capture and sequestration; coal gasification; efficient use of fossil fuels; and development and implementation of a wide variety of alternative energy sources.
  

Recognizing the goal of promoting productivity and prosperity, and thereby an enhanced standard of living for citizens and businesses in both countries, delegates urge the Canadian and American governments, as well as federal legislators in both countries, to undertake the following actions on an expedited basis:

1. develop an energy security plan by which, within a decade, North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners will be self-sufficient. This plan should focus on both renewable and non-renewable energy sources, and should contemplate minimum standards for renewable energy.
2. establish a working group, appointed by the Canadian Parliament and the U.S. Congress and comprised of federal legislators from appropriate committees in both countries, to develop a fair, efficient, long-term dispute-settlement mechanism applicable to the softwood lumber sector in the future.
3. undertake, along with the Mexican government, a comparative study of pharmaceutical drug research, pricing, margins, marketing, etc. in countries worldwide.
4. pursue, both independently and jointly, additional bilateral and multilateral trade agreements. They should also find means to re-engage South American countries in negotiations for a Free Trade Area of the Americas. Regarding trade agreements, the governments should work cooperatively to pressure the European Union to reduce its level of agricultural subsidies.
5. work together, and with relevant states and provinces as well as the private sector, to foster the development of binational economic regions.
6. act jointly to preserve and augment the manufacturing base in both countries and to facilitate skills development, labour mobility and a tax regime that enhances competitiveness. They should also initiate a bilateral study of manufacturing productivity, with the automotive industry as the first priority.
7. recognize the impact of the proposed rule regarding export controls on U.S. high-technology products to Canada and on Canadian citizens working in high-technology industries in the United States, and carefully consider any Canadian submissions made in this regard.
8. cooperatively develop and implement, through relevant agencies in both countries, a comprehensive strategy to address the threat of avian influenza. They should coordinate resources to better enable the observation and tracking of potentially infected migratory birds as they fly from nation to nation. As well, the agencies should monitor major north-south flyways - particularly those that cross major poultry-producing regions - to increase the likelihood of detecting an infected bird before it can affect domestic bird populations. Relevant health organizations in both countries should communicate regularly with a view to facilitating early warning of any occurrences and to address all instances where human beings may be affected
   

• Delegates support and urge a policy of aggressive reform of the United Nations that would include: its current mandate; its financing and administration; and its governance issues, including the role of the Security Council, the criteria for its choice and the role of the Office of the Secretary General. Such reform should establish timelines, standards of measurable results and a fixed periodic review
• In dealing with the Canada-U.S. issues of public security and prosperity, including defence against terrorism, our two countries should work closely to develop a bilateral security structure by extension of the current bilateral Smart Border Accord and/or a new treaty relationship.
• Delegates believe that it is of paramount importance to North American prosperity that economic/commerce considerations are balanced with security concerns in a risk-based approach to border management.
• In democracy building, our countries must continue to commit sufficient resources - especially in the areas of human resources and public diplomacy - to fostering inalienable human rights and the rule of law through a people's traditional culture and customs, in order to accommodate and secure the consent of the governed and the attainment of justice.
• Delegates affirm the importance of the Trans-Atlantic link between North America and Europe, and encourage our nations to clarify and determine the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's mission in the world, particularly the war on terror.
• Delegates support the continuing efforts and assistance by both countries against drugs and human smuggling.
• Delegates urge the governments of the United States and Canada, through their relevant agencies, to cooperatively develop and pursue more comprehensive environmental strategies that would improve the quality of the water and air along the shared border, with special attention paid to - but not limited to - those waterways that are determined to be most at risk, including the Great Lakes, Lake Champlain, the St. Lawrence Seaway and Devils Lake.
• Delegates urge the Canadian and American governments to give immediate attention, through their relevant agencies - including those in law enforcement, health, drug prevention and drug treatment - to the cooperative development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy designed to address the growing problem of methamphetamine use in communities in both nations. Specifically, the two nations should work better to control the supply of pseudophedrine, the main precursor chemical for the manufacture of meth, track its sale on internet pharmacies, and provide a more comprehensive strategy to prevent the use of meth and better treat those already addicted. Delegates intend to seek authorization for staff in both countries to, through legislative action, require relevant government agencies to report, within 90 days of enactment but before 1 October 2006, on the impact that meth has on individual health, family life, crime and other social problems associated with meth use. Delegates also agree that prevention and treatment programs, designed to address meth risk and addiction, be reviewed and determinations made to ensure that these programs are located in areas where the prevalence of meth use is high, such as in rural areas.