State Senators Patty Ritchie and Joseph Griffo and Canadian representatives are forming a bipartisan, bi-national, International Border Caucus to bring together legislative representatives of New York’s northern border and Canadian legislators from Quebec and Ontario, to solve problems, improve communications, and aid their economies.

The panel is co-chaired by New York Senators Ritchie and Griffo and Ontario Senator Bob Runciman, all of whom will meet Friday, Oct. 7 at the Frederic Remington Museum in Ogdensburg to discuss their plans.

The U.S. and Canadian legislators will discuss issues of shared concerns, improve communication and cooperation between state, national and provincial governments, and work together to explore opportunities to create new jobs.

New York now ranks third in U.S. surface trade with Canada, after Michigan and Illinois, following a 12 percent increase since last year, according to the U.S. Dept. of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics. More than $30 billion in goods cross the New York-Canada border each year, figures that representatives on both sides would like to see grow.

“Over the past year we have seen an increase in problems along our shared border stemming from US efforts to ‘tax’ Canadian citizens, an American fisherman pulled over by Canadian authorities, and concerns that tightened security are frightening away people crossing the border to visit our two great nations,” Senator Ritchie said. “Senator Runciman and I have been working together to find joint solutions to these problems. This initiative will help open new lines of communication and create a chance to explore new opportunities that can benefit both New York and Canada.”

“The United States and Canada share one of the longest open borders in the world, including nearly 450 miles of water and land border between New York and the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec,” Griffo said. “The residents on both sides of the border enjoy a unique bond based on a common history, a shared ancestry and friendships based on more than two centuries as trading partners. Our cooperative caucus will ensure that this mutual respect will help both sides of the St. Lawrence, when we address issues that affect us all.”

“Northern New York and Eastern Ontario share not just a common border, but face the same challenges and opportunities," said Runciman. “It makes economic sense to look for joint solutions. And the people in border communities are not just neighbors, but we’re good friends, too. I see this group as a way to reinforce that message.”

The bipartisan caucus includes all 11 New York State senators representing the entire Northern border, and five Canadian representatives. The membership is expected to grow.

The other New York senators are James Alesi, Patrick Gallivan, Mark Grisanti, Timothy Kennedy, Betty Little, George Maziarz, Michael Nozzolio, David Valesky and Catharine Young.

Canadian members are Co-Chair Bob Runciman and representatives Gord Brown, Steve Clark, Guy Lauzon, and Ted Hsu.