Badawey makes trade pitch in Washington
Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey said there can’t be a wall between the Canadian and U.S. markets if the two countries are to prosper in the global economy.
Badawey made the comment while on a three-day trip to Washington, D. C. earlier this week as part a CanadaUnited States Inter-Parliamentary Group (IPG) delegation.
It was the rookie MP’s first trip to Washington in an official capacity through the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway Caucus under the IPG.
“We went to enhance and ensure continued positive relations between the new (Donald) Trump administration and our government,” he said from Washington.
Badawey said discussions with some American politicians centered around the economies of both nations, and how they should become more closely integrated.
Bringing the two economies closer together can only help the two nations in the global economy, he said.
“We need to be more open for trade. Red tape needs to be cut and regulations streamlined. There needs to be more binational incentives to create economic clusters on both sides of the border.”
With billions of dollars of goods crossing the border in imports and exports every year, the MP said it’s important that trade is not hurt, and is enhanced.
Badawey, along with other MPs and Canadian Senators, met with approximately 70 U.S. Republican and Democratic Congressmen and Senators during the trip, which was also about strengthening economic, environmental and social ties between the two nations.
While the economy and trade were on the agenda, Badawey said the Great Lakes were discussed, too, especially in light of proposed funding cuts to lake programs by the American government.
“We talked with our Great Lakes partners from Congress and the Senate, and various organizations that are attached to the lakes, about protecting the lakes. For lack of a better word, we did some lobbying to both sides as to why lake programs should not be cut.”
Badawey was overwhelmed by the positive response the IPG received from members of both political parties during the three days.
“Everyone had the same message, we’re (Canada and the U.S.) great partners and we expect nothing more than to expand our relationship.”