US screws Canada again

[olp1fan]

Why are the conservatives always the worst at getting tough with the Americans?

So the US disrespects its largest trading partner for Colombia

? wow go to hell US, youll never get 5.50 from me

how is this supposed to help trade relations?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/10/24/pol-us-ticket-tariff.html

Canadian and Mexican travellers to the United States are once again going to have to swallow a $5.50 tax if they enter the country by air or sea.

A U.S.-Colombia free trade deal, passed last Friday, includes a clause that removes an exemption from the tariff for travellers from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Canada and Mexico had been exempt from the fee since 1997 under the North American Free Trade Agreement, but American politicians needing fresh cash for government coffers have resurrected it.

International Trade Minister Ed Fast said the Canadian government is disappointed.

"Raising taxes at the border just raises costs on consumers," he said in a statement. "Canadian officials have raised concerns about the removal of this exemption at the highest level. We will continue to raise Canada’s concerns with U.S. lawmakers."

Last week, U.S. Ambassador David Jacobson told a business crowd in Ottawa that a Buy American clause wouldn't hurt Canadian business as much as continuing trouble in the U.S. economy. Jacobson said U.S. President Barack Obama's failed attempt at a stimulus bill would have improved the U.S. economy, which is the best way to help the Canadian economy.

The return of the tariff comes as Canada and the U.S. are supposed to be finalizing the details of the Beyond Borders deal, which officials say will improve trade and security at the same time.

NDP international trade critic Robert Chisholm says it makes him wonder what the government is doing in its negotiations.

"Why is it not paying attention? And clearly, the United States is not taking Canada seriously when it comes to these negotiations," he said.

"I was surprised and disappointed," by the government's answer that they hope the Americans reconsider, Chisholm said. "They keep being surprised by all these moves and I find it concerning."

Edited October 24, 2011 by olp1fan

[Guest Derek L]

Why are the conservatives always the worst at getting tough with the Americans?

So the US disrespects its largest trading partner for Colombia

? wow go to hell US, youll never get 5.50 from me

how is this supposed to help trade relations?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/10/24/pol-us-ticket-tariff.html

Canadian and Mexican travellers to the United States are once again going to have to swallow a $5.50 tax if they enter the country by air or sea.

A U.S.-Colombia free trade deal, passed last Friday, includes a clause that removes an exemption from the tariff for travellers from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Canada and Mexico had been exempt from the fee since 1997 under the North American Free Trade Agreement, but American politicians needing fresh cash for government coffers have resurrected it.

International Trade Minister Ed Fast said the Canadian government is disappointed.

"Raising taxes at the border just raises costs on consumers," he said in a statement. "Canadian officials have raised concerns about the removal of this exemption at the highest level. We will continue to raise Canada’s concerns with U.S. lawmakers."

Last week, U.S. Ambassador David Jacobson told a business crowd in Ottawa that a Buy American clause wouldn't hurt Canadian business as much as continuing trouble in the U.S. economy. Jacobson said U.S. President Barack Obama's failed attempt at a stimulus bill would have improved the U.S. economy, which is the best way to help the Canadian economy.

The return of the tariff comes as Canada and the U.S. are supposed to be finalizing the details of the Beyond Borders deal, which officials say will improve trade and security at the same time.

NDP international trade critic Robert Chisholm says it makes him wonder what the government is doing in its negotiations.

"Why is it not paying attention? And clearly, the United States is not taking Canada seriously when it comes to these negotiations," he said.

"I was surprised and disappointed," by the government's answer that they hope the Americans reconsider, Chisholm said. "They keep being surprised by all these moves and I find it concerning."

Wait a sec…….did our government implement the fee?

[Moonlight Graham]

Wait a sec…….did our government implement the fee?

No, but they better fight it and have it removed. Easy way: add a $6 fee for Americans coming into Canada by air/sea.

[Guest Derek L]

No, but they better fight it and have it removed. Easy way: add a $6 fee for Americans coming into Canada by air/sea.

I know, the Obama government did…….hardly our current governments fault…….as for the fee itself, if $5 bucks is a deal breaker for flying into the States for some……maybe they shouldn’t be spending their limited resources flying………

As for us implementing one our self……..sure, why not………just don’t complain when the entire auspices of “Buy American” change.

[Guest American Woman]

No, but they better fight it and have it removed.

Sorry, but it's not Canada's call to make; Canada can't have it removed.

Easy way: add a $6 fee for Americans coming into Canada by air/sea.

Go for it. Canada wouldn't be the first country to charge a reciprocity fee at it's airports.

[Guest Derek L]

Sorry, but it's not Canada's call to make; Canada can't have it removed.

Go for it. Canada wouldn't be the first country to charge a reciprocity fee at it's airports.

They forget to mention, we added a ~$5 fee last year

[Guest American Woman]

They forget to mention, we added a ~$5 fee last year

What?? Canada screwed the U.S. - and I wasn't even aware of it?

I really don't understand why people get into a tizzy over this kind of thing. If one can afford the vacation, they can afford the five bucks.

[The_Squid]

They forget to mention, we added a ~$5 fee last year

There is no fee to enter Canada as a visitor from the USA.

[Guest American Woman]

There is no fee to enter Canada as a visitor from the USA.

This isn't a fee specific to Canada - it's a fee Canada has been exempt from in the past.

Canada raised it's fees by $5 in 2009 {emphasis mine}.

A passenger fee is going up 25 per cent at Toronto Pearson International Airport as Canada's largest air transport hub reacts to a reduction in the number of travellers.

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Pearson's not-for-profit manager, said Friday that its airport improvement fee will increase on June 1 to $25

per departing passenger

from $20.

link

[Guest Derek L]

There is no fee to enter Canada as a visitor from the USA.

Canadian airport security tax.........5-10 bucks

[Guest Derek L]

dp

Edited October 24, 2011 by Derek L

[msj]

Sorry, but it's not Canada's call to make; Canada can't have it removed.

No, but Canada can ask for the reinstatement of the exemption or for other changes. Not that we are likely to get it in this case, but we can ask.

Canada and the US have a history of doing things and then talking about them and making changes.

The IRS and US government, for example, is looking into accommodating US citizens in Canada after the latest panic over the latest round of penalties for not keeping certain filings up to date.

That's what countries do. BFD.

[The_Squid]

The fees that American Woman and DerekL are trying to claim as fees on Americans entering Canada are no such thing. They apply equally to everyone, including any Canadian using the airport.

[msj]

Thank you squid.

Oh, and for those of you who have relied on the quote in the OP rather than following the link, I would like to point out the following that is included in the link in the OP (but, conveniently?, left out of the quoted part above):

"This fee is not in any way an action against Canada and will not have any effect on the progress of the ongoing discussions surrounding the Beyond the Border initiative," [uS Ambassador David] Jacobson said in a statement.

"The elimination of the exemption was necessitated by the budget situation in my country. It is paid by American citizens and foreign nationals alike, just like Canadian citizens and non-Canadian citizens pay fees at Canadian airports."

Edited October 24, 2011 by msj

[Guest Derek L]

The fees that American Woman and DerekL are trying to claim as fees on Americans entering Canada are no such thing. They apply equally to everyone, including any Canadian using the airport.

So you’re saying the fee………isn’t a fee?

And now the $5.50 Canadian will pay is the equal amount all other travlers to the United States pay

[The_Squid]

So you’re saying the fee………isn’t a fee?

And now the $5.50 Canadian will pay is the equal amount all other travlers to the United States pay

No, it is not a fee for Americans only....

But, apparently, the USA fee is also not just a fee on Canadians and Mexican either.... so the original post seems a bit disengenuous.

The fee actually applies to EVERYONE entering the USA. And the fee is only by air and ocean travellers. The millions of people in cars and rail traffic are excluded.

Personally, I think this is much ado over nothing.

[msj]

But, apparently, the USA fee is also not just a fee on Canadians and Mexican either.... so the original post seems a bit disengenuous.

Glad I'm not the only one feeling that way.

Prior to editing my post I asked the question if I should be putting olp1fan on my intellectually dishonest list but decided to change it to asking if he conveniently left out the part that I ended up quoting.

In the end I think you're right - it's just disingenuous.

[Guest Derek L]

Glad I'm not the only one feeling that way.

Prior to editing my post I asked the question if I should be putting olp1fan on my intellectually dishonest list but decided to change it to asking if he conveniently left out the part that I ended up quoting.

In the end I think you're right - it's just disingenuous.

I agree much ado about nothing…….we charge fees on everyone…….they charge fees on everyone……Like the old saying…….’death and taxes

[msj]

I agree much ado about nothing…….we charge fees on everyone…….they charge fees on everyone……Like the old saying…….’death and taxes

Yes, the topic itself is much ado about nothing; however, olp1fan is certainly gaining ground on my list of those who exhibit troll like behaviors.

[Topaz]

The charge is by air or by sea, so a speed train would certainly help in this case, or car.

[Guest Derek L]

Yes, the topic itself is much ado about nothing; however, olp1fan is certainly gaining ground on my list of those who exhibit troll like behaviors.

Nah, I don’t think he’s a troll……just young.

[bush_cheney2004]

The charge is by air or by sea, so a speed train would certainly help in this case, or car.

..or just got to Russia or China instead. Or just stay home to protest that five dollars and fifty cents!

[dre]

The charge is by air or by sea, so a speed train would certainly help in this case, or car.

It would be good if the fee was charged to Canadians crossing the border by car and rail too. Maybe the Canadian government could tackle that part.

[capricorn]

It would be good if the fee was charged to Canadians crossing the border by car and rail too.

Companies crossing for reasons of trade by truck and rail will be spared the additional cost of doing business. Exempting commuter vehicles won't put a damper on cross border shopping so Canadians can flock to places like Syracuse and continue spending money. As far as air travel is concerned tourists will balk but won't change their holiday plans for a measly five bucks and the business community will simply claim it as an expense. No big deal.

[guyser]

It would be good if the fee was charged to Canadians crossing the border by car and rail too. Maybe the Canadian government could tackle that part.

there is a charge. $3 I believe.

So they call it a toll...meh