Cross-Border shoppers: U.S drops proposed border fees







Many Canadians are pleased with the United States Senate committee’s decision to drop the proposed border fees for Canadians wanting to enter the United States. The bill was originally proposed back in April of this year by the United State’s Department of Homeland Security, and aimed at reducing the United States federal deficit by charging Canadians a fee to enter the country.  This would have especially effected those living in or around border towns who frequent the United States to get life's daily essentials such as groceries and gas, as well as many other Canadians who find themselves frequenting the United States for cheap shopping.

Although the free flow of people and goods is generally perceived as being beneficial for both countries in involved, should Canada adopt more protectionist measures during this delicate time of economic recovery?

United States Senator Patrick Leahy worried that the proposed border fees would detract from the jobs of border security agents, and push the focus over to “toll collectors instead of law enforcement agents.”

Canadian House Leader Peter Van Loan echoed Senator Leahy’s sentiments  regarding the possibility of negative consequences for both countries should the bill have passed.

"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,” said Van Loan.

Despite encouragement on both sides of the border, when looking at the numbers, and seeing that Canadians spend close to “21 billion dollars annually in the U.S,” according to Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade spokesperson Emma Welford who emailed the CBC regarding this story.

One cannot help but wonder if that money going to the United States would be better used here at home, where we need to focus on our own financial recovery. Twenty-one billion dollars could do a lot of good in Canada, and could help to stimulate our economy. So yes, rejoice lovers of discounts, but don’t forget the cost it could have here at home. 


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