MPs undertake a wide variety of tasks, all part of doing their job to represent the men and women who elected them. We deal with problems regarding unemployment, agriculture programs, immigration—just to name a few. We research topics that come before Parliament, debate new legislation and speak in the House of Commons on important issues of the day.

An MP’s duties also involve international relations. For example, I serve as Vice-Chair on the Canada-USA Interparliamentary Association. This is a committee of Canadian MPs and Senators that lobbies U.S. politicians. Two issues which have been of primary concern to the Canada-USA Interparliamentary Association recently are: The ban of certain beef exports to the United States, and the requirement that Canadians possess a passport or some form of secure document to enter the U.S. by car or ferry.

In fact, as I write this column, the House of Representatives is debating an amendment to their border crossing legislation—an amendment that is specifically the result of our efforts. The Americans are deciding whether or not to delay the implementation of a requirement that Canadians produce passports in order to enter the USA.

Considering that neither Canada nor the United States is ready to implement these new requirements, the economies of both countries will take a major hit if passport requirements are imposed prematurely. If we had not personally lobbied U.S. congressmen and senators, the new passport requirement would definitely have taken effect in the upcoming year.

The Conservatives, the Liberals, and the NDP all worked as a team on this issue. It may not look like it on TV, but MPs can really work together to accomplish something good for Canada.

I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament, and I welcome your feedback. Write or call my offices.