Niagara
Falls - Rob Nicholson doesn�t think North America will
see a border agreement modeled on the European Union implemented
any time soon.
�Both (Canada
and the United States) have concerns about drug smuggling
and we have some common concerns about security,� the
Niagara Falls Conservative MP said from Ottawa Sunday. �It�s
not something I think you�ll see here any time soon.
I don�t think (outgoing U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci)
was talking policy. I think he was just thinking out loud.�
Cellucci floated the idea of duty free
cross border shopping during an interview in Ottawa Friday.
He said the decision isn�t something the United States
is thinking of putting in place.
�As long as it�s reciprocal
� that�s a personal view,� Cellucci told
news reporters. �I�m not offering the view of
the U.S. government here, but I�m saying these are some
of the issues that wee need to talk about because Canada has
a lot of visitors that go to the U.S. We have a lot of visitors
that come here. It probably balances things over the long
run.�
That�s likely good news for most
southern Ontario residents who venture across Niagara�s
border bridges in search of variety or a few good deals at
U.S. shopping malls.
Spending even $10 on a day shopping
stateside can cost a Canadian in duty at the border �
although it rarely happens when a small amount is declared.