(WASHINGTON, D.C.)  --  Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-7th District) praised the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the Clinton Administration for their decision to take action against Canada for their unfair fishing regulations on Lake of the Woods, and other lakes that divide Minnesota from the Province of Ontario.

"I've been working on this problem for several years, but we haven't always been able to get the attention of the U.S. government," Peterson said. "However, with some hard work by the residents of the Northwest Angle and other interested parties throughout the state, we are finally being heard.  This is an important step towards solving this dispute."

The action being taken by the USTR is a "Section 301" investigation.  The case involves a Canadian provincial fishing regulation that prevents U.S. fishermen from keeping fish caught in Canadian waters on the lakes dividing Ontario and Minnesota, unless the fisherman spends the night in a Canadian resort.  Treaties between the U.S. and Canada require that regulations of this kind be equally applied to residents of both countries.

"When people hear about this, they can't believe it," Peterson said.  "Ontario's regulations are clearly unfair to U.S. residents, and they are having a devastating impact on the businesses and communities along the Minnesota side of the lakes.  This is not how we treat Canadians who come fishing on this side of the lake."

Although the USTR has announced its intention to pursue this investigation, it is likely that that formal process will be delayed for 60 days, until the elections in Canada have been completed.

"I plan to continue working closely with the USTR and the local residents along the border communities to make sure that this situation is resolved in a fair and reasonable manner that restores equal treatment for the sport fishermen on both sides of the border."

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