Rusnak to meet with Minnesota colleagues in Washington, cross-border issues on agenda

THUNDER BAY – A local MP is hoping the prime minister’s state visit to the United States will help lead to the resolution of a trade issue that could benefit the regional economy.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived in Washington Thursday morning for an official visit with American President Barack Obama that will include the first state dinner hosted at the White House for a sitting Canadian prime minister in nearly two decades.

MP Don Rusnak (Lib., Thunder Bay-Rainy River) said the election of Trudeau last year has reinvigorated the diplomatic relationship Canada shares with the Americans and is hopeful that can lead to smoother softwood lumber negotiations.

“Softwood lumber was the first topic when the prime minister spoke to the president a little while ago and he’s going to bring it up again,” Rusnak said.

“It’s smaller issue for the Americans but it’s extremely important for Ontario, and specifically Northwestern Ontario. We saw during the last trade dispute with the U.S. a lot of mills in Northwestern Ontario close as a result of not having a good relationship in terms of trade with the U.S.”

Rusnak will be heading to Washington on Monday as part of the Canada-United States inter-parliamentary group and hopes to meet with Minnesota colleagues to discuss cross-border issues.