Article content

OTTAWA — The federal industry minister is dismissing the United States’ request that Canada’s proposed anti-counterfeiting laws also help keep fakes out of their country.

The laws are for Canadians, James Moore told a Senate committee Thursday.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or It isn't Canada's job to stop fake goods from going to the U.S., industry minister says Back to video

“The idea Canada would act as a customs agent for the United States is, frankly, not something that’s on the table,” Moore said.

“The scope of this is protecting Canadians and the Canadian domestic market.”

Bill C-8, the Combating Counterfeit Products Act, is aimed at stopping the estimated $38 million worth of fake goods flowing into the Canadian market every year by beefing up the powers border agents have to stop them, among other things.

But the law only allows them to stop parcels intended for sale or distribution in Canada — not those just passing through.

That’s what has the U.S. upset.

It was one of the first things raised by U.S. Ambassador Bruce Heyman when he took up his post this past spring.