Klobuchar Statement on Meeting with Canadian Members of Parliament in Ottawa

Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar

Klobuchar serves as Co-Chair of the Canada-U.S. Interparliamentary Group and is attending state dinner tonight in Ottawa

OTTAWA – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, Co-Chair of the Canada-U.S. Interparliamentary Group, released the statement below after meeting Canadian Members Of Parliament John McKay, Anthony Housefather, Michael Chong, and Tom Kmiec in Ottawa, Canada. 

“As co-chair of the bipartisan United States and Canada group, I am committed to strengthening the economic, security, and cultural ties between our countries. Today’s productive meeting fostered continued collaboration on a number of priorities including trade, defense cooperation in our airspace, protecting the Great Lakes, and our commitment to NATO. Putin’s inhuman barbarism hasn’t divided the world – it has only brought us even closer together with our allies, and this meeting proves that. I will continue to work across the aisle and across our border to strengthen this bond.”

A photo is available HERE.

The Canada-U.S. Interparliamentary Group was established in 1959 as a forum for U.S. members of Congress and Canadian parliamentarians and to have an ongoing dialogue on major issues of mutual concern. Senator Klobuchar serves as co-chair of the group together with Senator Crapo (R-ID). The Honorable John McKay serves as one of the Canadian co-chairs. 

Klobuchar is also attending a state dinner hosted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in honor of President Joe Biden’s visit to Canada. 

Klobuchar has long been committed to maintaining the two countries’ strong ties. In May 2021, Klobuchar led a comprehensive discussion between ten United States Senators and fourteen Canadian Parliamentarians on topics of mutual concern including trade, security, and the environment.

As a vice-chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, Klobuchar is a leading advocate for the protection of the Great Lakes. In 2022, her bipartisan legislation to provide critical resources to conserve and restore fish and wildlife populations in the Great Lakes was signed into law. 

Klobuchar has led successful efforts to safely reopen the U.S.-Canadian border. Last year, she urged the Biden administration to work with the Canadian government to explore options to ease border restrictions between the two countries. 

In November 2021, Klobuchar met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and called on the Canadian government to ensure parity in border entry requirements. She also successfully led efforts to ease border restrictions over land and ferry ports of entry. 

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