Legislature speaks with one voice on Canada-US Passport Issue

On May 30th in the Ontario Legislature, MPPs debated a motion on the Canada-US passport issue. Working constructively with the Liberal Government and the NDP, the Leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, John Tory, had pushed for such a debate after visiting Washington D.C. last week.

Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott is the Progressive Conservative Critic for Tourism. The following is the text of the statement he made in the Legislature prior to the debate:

“This afternoon, Members of the House will likely have a chance to give unanimous support for a motion aimed at helping to resolve the Canada-US passport issue. This is a rare opportunity that will enable us to speak with one voice before the Premier of Ontario attends the Western Premiers’ Conference in Gimli Manitoba in the coming days.

Success is critical, because without decisive action soon, travellers crossing the Canada-US border will be required to carry a passport or its equivalent, to be phased in starting in just seven months. If the motion passes, the views of MPPs and the best interests of our tourism and hospitality sector will be represented at the Conference.

I want to thank the Leader of the Official Opposition for travelling to Washington last Wednesday, where he had ten meetings in one day, thank him for bringing forward this motion, and for taking constructive steps to show leadership on this issue.

Last week, our Party’s Leader communicated directly with the Premier and the Leader of the Third Party in a way that effectively demonstrates the scope of the passport issue and the enormity of the potential negative impacts on the economies on both sides of the border. All Members surely understand that passing the motion will arm the Premier with our full support, and demonstrate the depth and breadth of our understanding. It’s a gesture that shows that we care about tourism, about people visiting our province, and about jobs.

I hope that we as Legislators will put aside any partisan considerations, allow this important discussion to take place, and send a strong signal that we are working together across Canada to resolve this issue.”

Later that afternoon, a motion articulating the Legislature’s position on the passport issue was passed, unanimously, and with all-party support. Mr. Arnott was presiding as Acting Speaker of the House when the motion was debated and passed. The debaters supporting the motion included the Minister of Tourism and Government House Leader, Jim Bradley, PC Leader John Tory, and NDP House Leader Peter Kormos.