PLATTSBURGH — Congresswoman Elise Stefanik was in Plattsburgh Friday morning to discuss issues of importance to those on the northern border, including security, commerce and tourism.
She addressed a group of business leaders, government officials, economic development specialists and border personnel to highlight her commitment to address border concerns and support the U.S.-Canada economic partnership.
After the meeting, North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas said one of the common concerns expressed was about a bipartisan anti-trade atmosphere in Washington, D.C., that seems to be gaining steam, in particular calls to rescind the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Douglas said any such measures should differentiate between the U.S.-Canada trade relationship and the U.S.-Mexico relationship or any new trade agreements.
"This is the one that is working," he said.
'CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP'
Later Friday, Stefanik told the Press-Republican that she recognizes the importance of the economic ties between the United States and Canada, with one out of five local jobs tied to a Canadian company or one that does business across the northern border.
"Our trade relationship with Canada is critical not only to the U.S. but to the district that I represent," she said. "Canada is our largest trading partner."
Stefanik said she also voted in favor of a fully funded five-year highway bill.
"That's the first time the federal government has done that in a decade, so that was a big achievement," she said.
That measure is of critical importance to metropolitan transit authorities to ensure funds so they can commit to long-term equipment acquisitions. That, in turn, provides opportunities to build that equipment for local employers such as Bombardier Transportation and Nova Bus/Prevost.
PRE-CLEARANCE AGREEMENT
More recently, Stefanik is one of the original co-sponsors of the Promoting Travel, Commerce and National Security Act of 2016. That built on the pre-clearance agreement between Washington and Ottawa signed in 2015.
She continues to seek bipartisan support for that legislation and will work to merge that bill with the Senate version once both are approved.
"My goal is to pass pre-clearance before the end of this year," she said, adding she is working toward that goal with support from the North Country Chamber of Commerce.
The legislation is intended to boost pre-clearance operations in Canada. The chamber has long advocated for that, especially for Amtrak passengers departing Montreal for New York.
Stefanik said the chamber's assistance is especially important as they work to ensure the Canadian government passes its own legislation toward that end.
SUPPORTED HOMELAND SECURITY
Stefanik said one of her first major votes in Congress was in support of full funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. That was important to ensure continuity of border operations, which had been impacted by sequester threats during congressional budget discord.
"That was important for our district and all of the families who have members who work along the border," she said.
VIRTUAL BORDER
Matt Funiciello, the Green Party candidate who is running against Stefanik this year, said expediting commerce at the border is a good idea, but there are other issues that also need to be addressed.
Funiciello said the Border Patrol can set up a checkpoint anywhere within 100 miles of a border, which affects about 200 million people. One such checkpoint has been established from time to time in southern Essex County over the years.
It may be time to re-think such practices, he said.
"For the federal government, our basic Fourth Amendment rights against random and arbitrary stop and search does not apply within the border area," Funiciello said.
"Add to this the 'virtual border fence' and unmanned drones flown by private companies, and there is a lot invested in keeping the border militarized."
TO BUILD A FUTURE
Funiciello said a stronger way of promoting cross-border growth would be to repeal NAFTA and sign a truly fair-trade agreement protecting worker rights; rebuild the economy with living wage jobs for all; and demilitarize the border and re-establish connections between small towns and villages that have been strained or cut off since 9/11 like Stanstead, Quebec, and Derby Line, Vt.
"We can build a future where we realize the border is just an imaginary line and that our economies and lives are intertwined, but we cannot do it until we address the militarization of our border with Canada," he said.
'UNFAIR TRADE DEAL'
Democrat Michael Derrick, who is also running against Stefanik, said the focus of the relationship with Canada should be on creating jobs for Americans.
"I support commerce and tourism and friendship with our neighbors to the north, and this should continue to be a source of jobs for working families in New York’s 21st District. It’s just that simple," he said.
"As a French speaker, I will be able to help build on our productive relationship with Canada."
Derrick also criticized Stefanik for her position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a proposed controversial trade deal.
"As you probably know, Congresswoman Stefanik voted to put the job-killing TPP on a fast track for approval. I think that’s a mistake, because unfair trade deals like this will not create jobs here," he said.
"I won’t support TPP, and that’s a big difference between me and her when it comes to northern border issues."
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