CORNWALL, ONTARIO – A Plan by the Department of Homeland Security suggesting a toll collection at all U.S. ports of entry from Canada was shot down by a U.S. Senate vote Friday afternoon.  In addition, Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy proposed a prohibition on all border-crossing fee, which was voted in favour of.

“It does not take a study to know that charging Canadian relatives, friends, tourists, business people and shoppers a fee to enter the United States is a bad idea,” said Leahy in a statement this afternoon.

Earlier this week, Ottawa had voiced serious concerns and strong opposition at the mere suggestion of the new proposition and had promised to “vigourously” lobby against it.