Peterborough, ON - From May 16-19, 2008, Dean Del Mastro, Member of Parliament for Peterborough Riding and Member of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (IPG) joined a delegation as part of the 49th Annual Meeting of the IPG in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The US delegation included 5 Senators and 8 members of the House of Representatives, while the Canadian delegation included 4 Senators and 13 members of the House of Commons.

The Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group 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.

At the conclusion of the meeting, legislators agreed on 13 areas where efforts will be devoted over the coming year. Specific IPG members from each country have been assigned to monitor bilateral progress and to take action in support of the shared objective in each area. In general, the resolutions are focused on bilateral cooperation in the following areas: the environment, energy, the Arctic region, the Great Lakes, trade, intellectual property rights, consumer product safety, capital markets, Afghanistan, the shared border and related security issues, and tobacco smuggling.

"Having the opportunity to meet annually with our federal counterparts is a very important step.” said MP Del Mastro. "At meetings like the ones held earlier this month, members of both governments are able to discuss issues that threaten to divide us - but more importantly - issues that bond our counties together because of our common goals; safety and security within our borders as well as worldwide prosperity."

During the four days of meetings, MP Del Mastro was honoured to be asked to lead the discussions focused on NAFTA, Financial Securities and the U.S. Farm Bill. In leading these proactive and productive discussions in key areas of national significance, MP Del Mastro is proud of the unanimous resolutions that were adopted as well as the many others that he was privileged to participate in crafting.

“While its clear progress has been made, it’s important for both Canada and the U.S. to continue to open dialogue and work toward providing even more positive opportunities in the future. It is in both nations’ interest that the most significant trade partnership in the world is not taken for granted. In this regard it is important for both Canada and the U.S. to continue to open dialogue and work collaboratively toward providing greater joint opportunities in the future while working through the few issues that endanger our beneficial economic relationship.” said MP Del Mastro.

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