obviously mackay doesn't take to the muzzle or taking lessons from mayes on yapping to the press ...

MacKay contradicts Harper on ID plans
April 11, 2006

OTTAWA (CP) - Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay says he'll use a trip to Washington this week to argue against American plans to require passports or special ID cards for Canadians at the border.

That appears to contradict Prime Minister Stephen Harper's recent public statement that Canadians must get used to the fact a secure document system is coming. MacKay is to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice in Washington on Thursday.

{see: Mayes spits out gag
Scott Neufeld, March 22, 2006, Daily Courier Vernon
Okanagan-Shuswap MP Colin Mayes is calling any suggestions his letters and columns are censored by the Prime Minister's office ridiculous. ... }

He says the Conservative government supports the current system, which allows Canadians to enter or leave the U.S. with just a driver's licence.

Implementing a system that requires people to carry some other form of secure documentation would slow the movement of people and goods across the border, he argues.

MacKay says the Canadian position was made clear during the recent Cancun summit attended by Harper and U.S. President George W. Bush, adding: "I'll be bringing forward the same position to Ms. Rice and their administration."

But after the Cancun meeting, Harper told reporters that there would be no turning back on Washington's border security plan.

MacKay and Rice are expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including border management, transboundary waters, international security and United Nations reform.

MacKay will also meet with the secretary general of the Organization of American States, Jose Miguel Insulza.