ALBANY — The North Country’s new assemblyman was appointed chair of the Task Force on New York-Canada Relations, Monday, a working group meant to foster close social and economic relations.
The task force was launched in 2023, and its inaugural chair was former Assemblyman D. Billy Jones, D-Chateaugay Lake, who Michael S. Cashman, D-Plattsburgh, was elected to replace in November.
Reached for comment Tuesday, Cashman described the task force as part of an effort to maintain and grow New York’s links to its northern neighbor.
“I am really interested in New York State and Canada’s deeply ingrained relationship and it’s built on cooperation and respect. Serving as a former Plattsburgh town supervisor I saw firsthand how impactful a strong relationship with Canada can be for communities at the border,” Cashman told the Telegram.
The task force aims to raise awareness and deepen the impact of New York’s economic and cultural links to Canada, according to Cashman.
“It’s on multiple levels there’s certainly an economic side of things but the piece that I want to make sure is not lost is the social and cultural connection that we have with Canada as well,” he said, “They are our longest ally, our friends, our neighbors and the relationship has to be more than just about economics.”
Cashman said the task force helps to contribute to existing relationships and partnerships on both sides of the border.
“This is something that will tap into our mutual identity, our shared opportunities and I think there are a lot of individuals through the assembly, chamber of commerce and consulate general of Canada, that when we come together, I think, we can really do some good work,” he said.
According to Cashman, he anticipates future visits to Canada with the task force, adding that nothing is currently scheduled but he would like to see future visits.
“My vision for it as the chair is making sure we have a wide aperture on the conversations with our Canadian counterparts,” he said, “It would be through that whole length that New York shares with the Canadian border.”
Cashman said during his time as town supervisor in Plattsburgh he worked with Cornwall Mayor Justin Towndale, and would like to reengage with him, his counterparts and officials in Montreal as well.
Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie, D–Bronx, said the assembly’s majority is committed to fostering a good relationship with New York’s Canadian neighbors.
“I have the utmost confidence that Assemblymember Cashman is the perfect choice to chair our Task Force on New York-Canada relations. His commitment to our border communities, trade, small businesses and robust tourism industry will serve him and the people of our state well in his new role,” Heastie said in a press release issued by Cashman.
New York State’s largest export market is Canada, accounting for 19% of the state’s total exports, or $17.4 billion, in 2024, according to the release, and this amount does not include $8.4 billion in service exports, $17.9 billion in critical imports, or the nearly 60,000 New York workers employed by more than 800 Canadian-owned businesses.
“This is a very positive development for the North County, maintaining our Assembly member’s leadership of the New York-Canada Task Force,” Garry Douglas, president of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, said in the release, “This legislative grouping has become a valuable part of sustaining and growing our vital cross-border connections and Assemblyman Cashman will be a very strong leader of the initiative, having been an active player in North Country relations with Canada for years. We thank Speaker Heastie for entrusting this task force to Michael at a time when its mission and potential have never been more important.”
A report from the U.S. Travel Association in October forecast a 3.2% decline in international tourism spending in the U.S. for 2025 with significantly fewer visits from Canada as the primary driver of this decrease.
Cashman said the port of entry in Champlain has seen a reduction in traffic of about 30 to 31% over the past several months.
“You don’t have to go far to talk to a number of our golf courses, our hotels, our restaurants, who have certainly been impacted,” he said, “While that reduction is troublesome and I certainly want to see more Canadians come back, 70% of Canadians are still visiting the region.”
Cashman’s announcement as task force chair was welcomed by Canada’s Consul General in New York.
“It is a testament to the bonds between Canada and New York that this task force will continue under new leadership to reinforce, strengthen, and expand the historical, cultural, familial, and economic ties we have shared over centuries. I look forward to working with Assemblyman Cashman to explore new pathways to success for citizens on both sides of the border,” Tom Clark, Consul General of Canada in New York, said in the release.
In Albany, Cashman said he filed his first bill in the assembly relating to affordability and accountability of electric companies.
“The concept, in short, behind that is to put a cap on the costs and also to create new independent auditing that would make sure that the companies are being held accountable,” he said.