WASHINGTON (AP) – Rep. Paul Hodes, D-N.H., was in Canada this weekend to discuss trade and environmental issues and the potential impact of a new law requiring passports for travel between the United States and Canada.

Hodes is a member of the Canada-U.S. Interparliamentary Group, which discusses U.S and Canadian cross-border issues.

Among the topics on the agenda this weekend was the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which requires citizens of the United States, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted identification document to enter or re-enter the United States by Jan. 1, 2008.

It was enacted as an anti-terrorism measure after a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission, but many members of Congress are fuming at the notion their constituents will need a $97 dollar passport or a not-yet-developed passcard, expected to cost around $50. Children would be exempt.

Critics argue it could stifle trade and tourism.

“I’m looking forward to working with both countries to make sure that our security and economic interests are well served,” Hodes said.

He said a proposal in Congress would ease many problems the new requirement poses by making passports more affordable and expanding programs for low-risk travelers.

“We want to be safe but we also want to continue to encourage economic activity in the Northern part of New Hampshire,” he said.

In the midst of a congressional debate on the law, the government maintains the new rule that anyone driving across the Canadian border must have a passport or passcard will begin in January.

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., predicted the government won’t be able to start in January, but Homeland Security officials insist they will.

“We have a firm deadline and we’re absolutely committed to moving forward with the implementation of western hemisphere travel requirements at our northern border,” said DHS spokesman Russ Knocke.

The agency does not have a date for people to start applying for the new passcards, which are being created by the State Department, but Knocke said that would not affect the January launch.

“You can either be for security or against security,” Knocke said, adding that some states have already begun discussions about creating new driver’s licenses that would be so secure they could be used instead of passports.

AP-ES-05-19-07 1413EDT