Vermont Business Magazine Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) Friday joined Vermont and Canadian officials and business leaders in Essex Junction, to mark progress on facilitating travel and commerce between Vermont and Canada. Leahy, long an advocate for the return of the “Montrealer” rail line and easing air travel to Vermont from airports like Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, said legislation he introduced earlier this year would make important strides toward making these a reality.
Leahy said: “Vermont and Canada are inextricably linked by heritage and history. We want to improve the experience for travelers across our international border while maintaining necessary safeguards. My commonsense legislation is a tangible step forward, and will result in making a real difference in the lives of American and Canadian citizens. Many Vermonters like our family have relatives and friends on both sides of the border, and we look to our Canadian neighbors as shared partners in our economies and stewards of our communities. Collectively, the progress announced by Prime Minister Trudeau during his visit to Washington and this legislation bring us even closer together.”
Leahy introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Promoting Travel, Commerce and National Security Act in March, paving the way for more preclearance facilities operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at land, rail, marine and air ports of departure in Canada. These facilities allow Vermonters to clear U.S. customs and immigration checks before they depart Canada, eliminating a now cumbersome process on their return. These operations relieve congestion at U.S. airports, improve commerce, save money and provide national security benefits.
Leahy said the train station in Essex Junction where the officials were gathered could once again welcome Canadian travelers to Vermont and become a point of departure for Vermonters visiting Montreal, facilitating cultural exchange between the two countries. Canada is the United States’ largest trading partner, with $85 billion in commerce between the U.S. and Quebec in the first 11 months of 2015 alone.
During his historic visit to the United States in March, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau endorsed the U.S.-Canada preclearance agreement, signaling support for Leahy’s legislation.
Remarks of Senator Patrick Leahy Introduction of the Promoting Travel, Commerce and National Security Act of 2016
When I talk about our shared border with Canada, I usually point out Marcelle’s Quebec family roots – and that she speaks better French than I do. I must say, my French has improved.
Many Vermonters have family members on both sides of the border. We share economic interests, environmental goals, and we enjoy all that this vibrant cultural hub offers.
We all know how in the wake of 9-11 our borders changed. Some of these changes were common sense, others made life incredibly difficult. Since 9-11 I’ve worked consistently in the Senate to find balance, between strong borders and easy travel.
Legislation I introduced this year, builds on the important strides made to expanding safe and efficient cross border trade and more efficient travel. By having travelers from Canada pass through Customs before they board a plane or train, we can make their arrival in the US easier and can detect potential threats before they arrive here.
Under Prime Minister Trudeau’s new leadership, both the United States and Canada have committed to passing this necessary legislation to make this happen.
The breadth of who is here shows you how important this is to our state of Vermont and the board dedication and commitment to passing this legislation.
We have leaders in travel and tourism like Tom Torti and Megan Smith who work to bring commerce opportunities into our state; Secretary of Transportation, Chris Cole, who has been charged with bringing back the Montrealer; Burlington airport officials who work in lock step with Customs and Border Patrol, Porter Airlines, and Toronto Port Authority on winter air travel between Canada and Vermont, and of course we are honored to host the General Consul of Canada, David Alward.
Canada is the United States largest trading partner. In the first 11 months of 2015, $85 billion in commerce moved between the U.S. and Quebec. That is trade in business, energy, machinery and aerospace products, and agriculture. There are a lot of great things happening on either side of the border and I want to ease that experience, whether a traveler is coming and going on business or tourism, while enhancing security for both countries.
My legislation is a tangible step forward to establish a process that will make a real difference in the lives of citizens on both sides of our border. Expansion of preclearance sites in both air and rail provides options for all of us. And I know Vermonters look forward to the benefits of preclearance with Porter Airlines, and eventually, in bringing back the Montrealer passenger rail service.
I want to thank all of you for your support of this legislation, and I especially thank our guests here today for their work in helping to achieve this breakthrough. I will do all I can to make sure that this bill becomes a reality.
ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. (FRIDAY, April 15, 2016) – Senator Patrick Leahy