U.S. House Speaker Meets with Canadian Politicians about Trade, Traffic

(The Canadian Press)

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is getting involved in problems at the Canada-U.S. border. She met this week with Canadian politicians worried about trade and traffic tie-ups at the border.

Conservative MP Rob Merrifield says Pelosi agrees there should be a study this summer on ways to speed up commerce. It will likely result in a plan that could be used by the next U.S. administration.

Merrifield, co-chairman of the Canada-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group, says Pelosi is concerned about the impact of delays on jobs and tourism.

Pelosi, a Democrat, is the most powerful politician in the House of Representatives.

The group also talked with several U.S. legislators about anti-NAFTA campaign rhetoric from the Democratic contenders. Senator Jerry Grafstein said many agreed the rhetoric about renegotiating the deal has become extreme.

Related: Pelosi approves study of Canada-U.S. border tie-ups.