US-Canada Relations

Congressmembers Brian Higgins (D-NY-26) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21), who serve as co-chairs of the Northern Border Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, are calling on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to address staffing shortages at the Northern Border, which are causing excessive delays and deterring cross-border travel. In a letter to the CBP Commissioner the members… Read more »

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) welcomed a call by 34 Canadian Members of Parliament for a cost-benefit analysis of the Underused Housing Tax (UHT). Higgins has been vocal in his opposition to the new tax imposed by the Government of Canada which negatively impacts Americans who have long-owned cottages or second homes in Canada. Congressman Higgins said, “The relationship between the… Read more »

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) is urging Amtrak to work with government agencies in the United States and Canada to streamline the inspection process on the Maple Leaf route to allow for faster and easier travel between the two countries. Currently, Amtrak’s Maple Leaf route stretches from New York City to Toronto (connecting to VIA Rail Canada) with over twenty stops between the two… Read more »

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) is calling on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to immediately address mounting problems contributing to inefficient management of the border between the United States and Canada.  In a letter to the CBP Commissioner, Higgins, who serves as Co-Chair of the Northern Border Caucus, writes, “Canada is our number-one trading partner and our… Read more »

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26), Co-Chair of the Northern Border Caucus, appeared before Canada’s House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade to urge the Government of Canada to exclude Americans, who own property in Canada, from collection of the Underused Housing Tax. Higgins testified during a meeting of the committee held on June 5, 2023, along with other… Read more »

WASHINGTON - Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), and David Joyce (R-OH), co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Great Lakes Task Force in the U.S. House of Representatives, along with Representatives Lisa McClain (R-MI), Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.), and Mike Gallagher (R-WI), today led a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging Canada to… Read more »

In a bipartisan letter, members of Congress are urging the United States Secretary of State to work with the Government of Canada to find a solution to exempt Americans from Canada’s Underused Housing Tax. The push comes ahead of Memorial Day weekend, which typically marks the start of the busy cross-border summer season for cottage owners.   Joining the letter led by… Read more »

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives during National Travel and Tourism Week calling the end of COVID restrictions at the Northern Border “a turning point in rebuilding the interconnected relationships and economies communities along the US-Canada border enjoy.” The United States will drop its COVID vaccine requirement on Canadians… Read more »

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) has received confirmation from the White House that on May 11th the United States will lift its requirement for Canadians crossing into the United States to be vaccinated against COVID.  Higgins said, “For over three years now there have been barriers to cross-border travel. It has kept families apart and impeded economic recovery. While long… Read more »

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) welcomed an announcement by the Government of Canada that it is postponing fines and interest associated with late-filed Underused Housing Tax (UHT) returns through October 31, 2023. “This is a good development for the hundreds of residents from Western New York and across the United States who have been frustrated with the lack of… Read more »