U.S., Canada crossborder plan emphasizes security, speed

TORONTO (Dec. 13, 2001) — The U.S. and Canadian governments have signed off on a 30-point plan to develop new security measures at the border without hindering the flow of commercial trade.

U.S. Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge and Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Manley announced the initiative Wednesday in Toronto.

Although Canada and the United States signed a border accord dealing with security and immigration only last week, yesterday’s deal marked the first U.S. commitment to negotiate new joint programs to improve the cross-border flow of goods.

Among the ideas being discussed include resuming use of a computer system that eases the entry process into both countries for low-risk, preapproved users, and using new technology to positively identify landed immigrants.

The most intriguing idea for commercial transport companies involves preclearing shipments inside the other country, either at manufacturing plants, seaports, or zones a few kilometres from the border crossing. That would allow U.S.-bound containers to be cleared through U.S. Customs when they arrive in Vancouver, for example.

One issue still under discussion is putting guards and customs officials from both countries on both sides of the border. That would require a change in Canadian law to allow armed U.S. border guards on Canadian soil.

Ridge praised a Canadian proposal to spend more than $5 billion over five years to upgrade border facilities and put security measures into place.