A Foreword by Niagara At Large reporter/publisher Doug Draper followed by a Statement from the Buffalo, N.Y area’s U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins
Posted February 2nd, 2024 on Niagara At Large
A Foreword by Doug Draper –
This Friday, February 2nd 2024 is or was (depending on when you read this) Buffalo, New York’s Brian Higgins last day as a U.S. Congressman and that is a loss for American and Canadian citizens on both sides of the Niagara River.
One cannot blame Higgins, who served as a proud Democrat for 19 years, for joining others across his country for wanting to leave a Congress that radical MAGA Republicans and their dear leader, Donald Trump, has turned into an insane asylum. And why wouldn’t Higgins want to bust out of a mess like that when he was offered and has recently accepted an opportunity to serve as the chief executive officer of Buffalo’s iconic Shea’s Theatre.
But his service as a U.S. Congressman will be a loss people on both sides of the Niagara River just the same because, so unlike our feckless federal representatives, both Liberal and Conservative, on the Ontario side, he could often be counted on to speak out publicly on cross-border issues that concerned us all.
Brian Higgins was a constant voice for keeping the Peace Bridge and other border bridges open, while at the same time remaining safe and secure, for people and commerce from both sides of the Niagara River.
While Niagara’s federal Liberal government MPs, Vance Badawey of Niagara Centre and Chris Bittle of St. Catharines, were virtually mum on ongoing border-crossing restrictions during the pandemic, especially the Liberal government’s continued insistence that border crossers on both sides feed information that could just as easily been obtained by officers at border bridges into a cumbersome and costly ArriveCAN app, Higgins joined the call of municipal mayors and others in both countries for a safe and secure wind down of these restrictions.
“The ArriveCAN app and other restrictions continue to be a barrier to the free flow of people across the northern border,” Higgins said in one 2022 news release when all we heard from federal representatives on the Ontario side was crickets.
“My office regularly receives calls from western New Yorkers frustrated and confused by the technology and frequently changing, disjointed requirements for crossing between the U.S. and Canada,” Higgins added “Consequently, to bypass the uncertainty and hassle it creates, many are avoiding making the trip across the border entirely.”
In 2012, when the then-Canadian government of Conservative Prime Minister Stephen with his then dutiful minister of justice and Niagara Falls MP Rob Nicholson in toe, made the outrageous decision to close down a the Canadian Consulate Office in Buffalo, N.Y. – an office that was strategically opened there to serve people and businesses in both countries next one of North America’s busiest border crossings, Higgins and U.S. Senator for New York Chuck Schumer joined together in urging the Harper government to reverse the decision.
“Closing the Canadian Consulate in Buffalo would be a great loss to our region and to our partnership with Canada,” said Congressman Brian Higgins. “The consulate is our local partner on many important bi-national issues, including travel and cross border trade, and provides numerous resources for Canadians, as well as Western New Yorkers. Having a Canadian government presence in Buffalo makes economic and political sense for our shared nations and I would strongly encourage the Canadian government to reconsider this decision.”
Again, not one strong word for a Niagara/Erie County area Canadian Consulate Office spoken publicly, then or since, from federal representatives on the Ontario side of the border.
Brian Higgins was also a strong supporter for seeing the American side of the Niagara River corridor designated in 2019 as a globally significant wetland under an international (RAMSAR) agreement, and he has repeatedly secured government funding for rehabilitating and protecting wetlands and other waterbodies that are tributaries to the Niagara River on the U.S. side.
No federal representative on the Ontario side of the Niagara River has come close to matching Higgins’ record around addressing binational issues of interest and concern to all.
So Congressman Higgins, Shea’s Theatre’s gain is our collective loss. Thanks for your public service. You will be missed.
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Doug Draper, Niagara At Large
Now here is a February 2nd, 2024 Statement by Congressman Brian Higgins circulated as he was completing his Service in Congress
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) released the following statement as he prepares to finish his last day representing New York’s 26th District in the House of Representatives.
Veteran Buffalo, N.Y. area Congressman Brian Higgins moves on
“I went to Congress nineteen years ago on a mission, not to change the world but to change my community. Each and every day, the people and challenges unique to Western New York invigorated and inspired our work.
“We fought harder and smarter. We crossed aisles and borders. We built arguments and relationships, delivering the results that the honest, hard-working people of this community deserve.
“We finish knowing that we’ve contributed to making Western New York stronger and healthier, more confident, resilient, and vibrant. The physical and economic landscape of Western New York has forever changed for the better. Hundreds of historic properties have been reinvigorated, airline safety has improved, investments in infrastructure are laying the foundation for new opportunities, affordable health care is accessible, and our waterfront has been transformed.
“Today I step away with gratitude in my heart – thankful to the good people of Western New York who entrusted me with this incredible responsibility and opportunity.”
To read some related news releases, you can click on the links below –
Consulate Should Stay – Canadian Office Is Critical To The Needs Of Our Growing Cross-Border Trade
NIAGARA AT LARGE Encourages You To Join The Conversation By Sharing Your Views On This Post In The Space Following The Bernie Sanders Quote Below.
“A Politician Thinks Of The Next Election. A Leader Thinks Of The Next Generation.” – Bernie Sanders
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