Schumer: Recently-Passed Law Opens Door to Travel Fees that Would be Severe Blow to North Country Economy

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that he is introducing legislation that would prohibit the federal government from charging new fees on Canadians who enter the U.S. by boat or plane. The Colombian Free Trade Agreement that recently passed the Senate includes a provision that will allow Customs and Border Protection to charge a new $5.50 fee on Canadians who travel into the United States. Schumer, who opposed the Colombia FTA, is introducing legislation that would prevent CBP from charging this fee, which could create a disincentive for Canadians to visit the United States. In order to protect the North Country economy, which depends in large part on tourism, recreational fishing, and business-related visits from Canada, Schumer is introducing his bill to block the fees, which also have the potential to cause the Canadian government to retaliate by putting similar fees on New Yorkers seeking to visit Canada.

"The federal government might as well be putting up stop signs in every waterway and at every airport," said Schumer. "These fees send the wrong message to Canadians looking to visit New York -- "stop' coming here for meetings that could lead to new businesses and jobs in New York, "stop' fishing in New York and buying bait and tackle here, "stop' staying in our hotels, and "stop' eating in our restaurants. New York and the United States should be welcoming Canadian visitors and the billions they spend inside the Empire State with open arms, not nickel and diming them with ridiculous fees. We need to stop these travel fees before they even get out of the gate, so that Canadian tourism can continue to be a major economic driver for the North Country."

Under new authority granted in the Colombian Free Trade Agreement, Customs and Border Protection now has the authority to charge each Canadian visitor who enters the United States by sea or air a $5.50 fee. Schumer notes that this could be a devastating blow to tourism in the North Country, and put a serious dent in the fishing industry around Alexandria Bay and in other outlets throughout Northern New York. Schumer said that fishermen who might otherwise step on U.S. soil for a meal or to buy fishing supplies during a trip might think twice if they were forced to pay $5.50 per person, per trip. While the fee does not apply to visitors who travel by car, Schumer noted that the fees can create a perception that trips to the United States by any means are becoming more expensive, resulting in a decrease in tourism. Schumer also hopes to avoid a scenario in which the Canadians retaliate against U.S. policy by implementing their own fees, which would keep New Yorkers from visiting their favorite spots in Canada.

In order to prevent Customs and Border Protection from beginning to charge the fee, Schumer is seeking to immediately remove their authority by passing legislation that would reinstate a ban on these Canadian traveler fees. Schumer will be pushing for the bill's passage in the Senate, and hopes to work with New York's Congressional delegation to pass similar legislation in the House.

According to a 2009 study conducted by Tourism Economics, tourism helped support about 7% of all jobs in the Thousand Islands area and, despite the downturn in the overall economy, tourism spending grew by over 3.5%. Tourism pumped over $430,000,000 into the North Country economy over the course of the year, supporting over 8,300 jobs. Jefferson County accounted for half of the region's tourism sales, with approximately $218 million in visitor spending. Tourism helped provide over $96 million in income for Jefferson County workers, $48 million for Oswego employees, and over $45 million in wages for tourism workers in St. Lawrence County. Tourism in those three counties also added $27 million in local taxes, and $26 million in state taxes.

"Customs and Border Protection, while first and foremost working to keep Americans safe, should be rolling out the welcome mat for Canadians who want to spend their money in New York," continued Schumer. "I'm going to do everything I can to block these fees and make sure New York remains and attractive and welcoming place to visit."

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