U.S. Dept. Of Homeland Security: 70,000-member Canadian Snowbird Association

Michael MacKenzie Dept: The call to study a new levy contained in the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security's proposed budget for 2014 is needed to defray increased security costs, proponents say, according to CBC. "While we appreciate the fiscal challenges faced by our friends in the United States, we would prefer the U.S. government focus on ways to reduce obstacles at the border that hinder trade and tourism," MacKenzie said in a statement. 'We would prefer the U.S. government focus on ways to reduce obstacles at the border' Michael MacKenzie, executive director of the Canadian Snowbird Association TORONTO A proposal to charge travellers a new fee when entering the U.S. at land border crossings has drawn condemnation in both countries. However, Michael MacKenzie, executive director of the 70,000-member Canadian Snowbird Association, said Monday that Washington is trying to ease its "desperate financial situation" on the backs of Canadian travellers. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.