U.S. Senators Ban Fee for Canadian-U.S. Border

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

Canada: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…
USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…

The U.S. Senate’s judiciary committee voted on Thursday not to implement the border crossing fees at land ports of entry. It was previously suggested by The Department of Homeland Security to sanction a study on a fee intended to be levied on everyone entering in the U.S. at land crossings bordering Canada and Mexico. The Senate committee decided to ban the fee altogether in the Immigration Reform Bill.

Chairman of the committee and Senator of Vermont, Patrick Leahy, alleged that the fee will prevent Canadians from travelling to the U.S. and will affect mutual trade and the economy. Leahy’s website stated that “the harm that a border fee on the northern border would cause to Vermont’s economy and to the historic cultural ties that Vermonters have with Quebec.” In an email addressed by Leahy’s spokesperson, David Carle, to the CBC News, that “there are many steps remaining [before it becomes law], but this was probably the most important step.”

Government House leader, Peter Van Loan, mentioned in Ottawa on Friday, that she is “very pleased that the Senate committee in the U.S. has rejected the proposed border fee.” She added that “a border fee like this would have been very damaging to both the American and the Canadian economy as we work to ensure our economic recovery, continued job creation and economic growth.” Van Loan stated that “the importance of movement of goods and people across our border to facilitate trade and growth is critically important.”