Klobuchar serves as co-chair of the Canada-U.S. Interparliamentary Group 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Mike Crapo (R-ID), co-chairs of the Canada-U.S. Interparliamentary Group (IPG), hosted Canadian co-chairs Senator Michael MacDonald and Mr. John McKay as well as seven other Members of Parliament in Washington, DC and led a series of meetings between United States and Canadian lawmakers on topics including trade, security, and tourism. 

“As co-chair of the bipartisan United States and Canada group, I am committed to strengthening the economic, security, and cultural ties between our nations. We had productive conversations on a number of shared priorities including trade, defense cooperation in our airspace, protecting the Great Lakes, and our commitment to NATO. Our work together continues to bring us closer to a stronger, safer, more prosperous North America,” said Klobuchar. 

“The Canada-U.S. Interparliamentary Group meetings are critical opportunities for our respective legislative bodies to discuss significant issues of mutual concern and to further build upon our great partnerships.  The United States and Canada share more than just a border.  We share common values and common interests, and we must continue our cooperative efforts across trade, defense and energy issues to keep countering foreign threats.  We are stronger together, and I am honored to serve in this capacity with Senator Klobuchar,” said Crapo.

“The Canada–United States relationship is without a doubt and by far the most important bilateral relationship we have. When visiting Washington, I am always impressed with the quality of our discussions, whether we are finding new points of agreement, or approaching topics that are worthy of more conversations,” said MacDonald.

“Our discussions today, ranging on topics from agriculture to border issues, security and defence, help us to better understand our respective points of view. When Canadian and American legislators make critical decisions on those issues, we can understand the impact and consequences for the other country,” said McKay. 

Photos are available HERE. 

U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Chris Coons (D-DE), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), JD Vance (R-OH), Mark Warner (D-VA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) joined meetings and events throughout the visit.

In addition to Senator MacDonald and Mr. McKay, Canadian lawmakers Senator Yuen Pau Woo, Senator Jean-Guy Dagenais, Mr. Kody Blois, Mr. Ted Falk, Mr. Randy Hoback, Mr. Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, and Mr. Brian S. Masse were part of the Canadian delegation.

The IPG was established in 1959 as a forum for U.S. members of Congress and Canadian parliamentarians to have an ongoing dialogue on major issues of mutual concern. The IPG meets every two years, alternating between the United States and Canada.

Klobuchar has long been committed to maintaining the two countries’ strong ties. Canada is one of our closest and most enduring allies with deep ties based on shared values and interests. In addition to close cultural ties, Canada is America's biggest trading partner, with $2.5 billion of goods crossing the border daily. 

In March 2023, Klobuchar met with Canadian Members Of Parliament John McKay, Anthony Housefather, Michael Chong, and Tom Kmiec in Ottawa, Canada and attended a state dinner hosted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in honor of President Joe Biden’s visit to Canada.

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.

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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