WASHINGTON, D.C. — Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama today issued a Declaration on a Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness. The Declaration establishes a new long-term partnership that will accelerate the legitimate flows of people and goods between both countries, while strengthening security and economic competitiveness. The two leaders also announced the creation of a U.S.-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) and received the Second Report to Leaders on the U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue (CED).
“This Declaration demonstrates the continued commitment of Canada and the United States to ensuring our common security, while supporting economic competitiveness, job creation and prosperity within a secure environment,” said the Prime Minister. “It builds on the remarkable security partnership between Canada and the United States that has helped keep our borders open to legitimate trade and travellers, and closed to criminal and terrorist elements.”
The Declaration will focus on four areas of co-operation: addressing threats early; trade facilitation, economic growth and jobs; integrated cross-border law enforcement; and critical infrastructure and cyber-security.
Canada and the U.S. will develop a joint action plan on perimeter security and economic competitiveness that will set out a range of initiatives in the four key areas to improve both countries’ ability to manage security risks, while facilitating the flow of people, goods and services.
A “Beyond the Border Working Group” composed of representatives from both governments will be established to implement and oversee work on the action plan.
“The Canada-U.S. partnership on security and economic competitiveness must evolve continually if we are to stay strong and address future security and commercial concerns,” added the Prime Minister. “This declaration sets the stage for more effective, long-term collaboration in these areas. It also respects the sovereignty of both countries and the privacy of our citizens.”
In addition to the Declaration, the two leaders also announced the creation of a United States-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) that will reduce red tape by making regulations in a range of sectors more compatible and less burdensome in both countries – which is especially important for small businesses.
“The review of these rules is an exceptional opportunity to break down regulatory barriers and prevent new ones from being introduced,” added the Prime Minister. “The main goal is to make it easier for Canadian and American firms to do business on both sides of our shared border, leading to more jobs and growth in both Canada and the U.S.“
Increased regulatory co-operation between Canada and the U.S. is expected to generate economic opportunities on both sides of the border, while improving the ability of regulatory agencies in both countries to achieve their objectives.
Prime Minister Harper and President Obama also received the Second Report to Leaders on the Clean Energy Dialogue (CED) which lays out progress achieved in 20 joint projects in such areas as solar energy, advanced biofuels, and carbon capture and storage. The purpose of the CED, which was announced in February 2009 by the two leaders, is to enhance collaboration between Canada and the U.S. on the development of clean energy technologies aimed at reducing greenhouse gases and combating climate change.
For more information on these initiatives, please visit the Prime Minister’s website www.pm.gc.ca
Backgrounder
CANADA/U.S. TRADE AND INVESTMENT
Canada and the United States enjoy one of the largest commercial relationships in the world with trade in goods and services totaling nearly $600 billion in 2009. Some $1.6 billion worth of goods and services cross the Canada-U.S. border each and every day.
The bilateral commercial relationship is critical to the economic prosperity and standard of living of people in both countries. About eight million jobs in the United States are linked to trade with Canada, while it is estimated that up to one in five jobs in Canada is linked to trade with the U.S.
The two economies are highly integrated, and Canada and the U.S. are each other’s largest export markets. In fact, Canada is the number one foreign market for goods exports for 34 of the 50 states.
In 2009, Canada’s exports of goods and services to the U.S. were valued at almost $306.6 billion. Canada’s main merchandise exports were mineral fuels and oils, motor vehicles, and machinery. Canadians and Americans share the closest energy relationship in the world. Energy infrastructure—including oil and gas pipeline networks and electricity grids—is tightly integrated. Canada is the United States’ largest and most secure supplier of oil, natural gas, electricity and uranium.
Imports of goods and services for the same year from the U.S. were valued at $286.2 billion and merchandise imports consisted principally of motor vehicles, machinery, and electrical and electronic equipment.
The two countries also have one of the world’s largest investment relationships. In 2009, direct investment in Canada from the United States was worth more than $288.3 billion, while Canadian direct investment in the U.S. was $261.3 billion.
Bilateral commerce is underpinned first, by the 1988 Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, and then by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which came into effect in 1994. Since the NAFTA, Canada-U.S. trade has nearly doubled.
Given the importance of the commercial relationship to both economies, and to the incredible volume of goods and travellers that cross the border every day, it remains a top priority to ensure that the common borders remain secure and open to legitimate commerce and travellers.
The Declaration on a Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness and the ensuing action plan will play an essential part in modernizing the border to address future security and competitiveness opportunities and challenges.
Given that the border plays a fundamental part in this trading relationship, it has always been a top government priority.
That is why our Government has expanded and enhanced trusted traveller and trader programs in partnership with the United States; why it has been building and renewing our border and gateway infrastructure; and, why it has strengthened the safety and security of travellers and cargo.
By working together to better secure a common perimeter, Canada and the U.S. are taking further steps to ensure their security and economic well being, and to strengthen and bolster the trade relationship.
Other Key Statistics:
- In 2009, 47.1 million cars crossed the border and 39.3 million trips were made by Canadians to the U.S.
- In 2009, approximately three-quarters of Canada’s merchandise exports went to the United States and one-half of our imports came from the United States. In turn, approximately one-fifth of the United States’ goods exports went to Canada, and one-seventh of its goods imports came from Canada.
- More trade flows between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan than through any other border crossing in the world.
- Over 20 million American travellers spend about $7 billion in Canada every year.
- Travellers from the United States represent 83 per cent of arrivals into Canada.
- The United States is the largest foreign investor in Canada and the most popular destination for Canadian investment.
- A truck carrying goods crosses the border every 2-3 seconds.
Backgrounder
U.S.-CANADA CLEAN ENERGY DIALOGUE
On February 4, 2011 Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama were presented with the Second Report to Leaders on the U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue (CED).
What is the Clean Energy Dialogue?
The U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue (CED) was announced in February 2009 by Prime Minister Harper and President Obama, when the President visited Canada on his first official international visit. The purpose of the CED is to enhance collaboration between Canada and the U.S. on the development of clean energy technologies aimed at reducing greenhouse gases and combating climate change.
Collaboration under the CED, which is being led by the Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment, and the Honourable Steven Chu, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, is being advanced by three joint working groups focused on:
- Advancing clean energy research and development.
- Promoting the development and deployment of clean energy technologies, particularly carbon capture and storage.
- Building a more efficient electricity grid based on clean and renewable energy.
- A Clean Energy Dialogue Action Plan, developed by the joint Canada-U.S. working groups, outlines 20 recommendations for joint work in these three areas. The recommendations fall within four broad types of activities:
- strategic demonstration projects
- alignment of key regulatory standards
- collaborative research and development
- public awareness and outreach
Second Report to Leaders:
The Second Report to Leaders highlights progress that has been achieved since the release of the first report in September 2009 on twenty joint projects taking place under the Clean Energy Dialogue Action Plan in such areas as solar energy, advanced biofuels, and carbon capture and storage.
Notable achievements include:
Carbon Capture and Sequestration working group
The Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) working group has established a number of initiatives that will further enable the rapid development and deployment of CCS in the U.S. and Canada. Key accomplishments to date include: the identification of priority areas for collaborative research on next generation CCS technologies, expansion of the work on the International Energy Agency (IEA) Weyburn-Midale demonstration project, and research to develop a knowledge-sharing framework for collaboration on CCS demonstration projects, as well as research in the area of regulatory issues for Canada-U.S. CCS projects.
Electricity Grid working group
The Electricity Grid working group is focused on bilateral collaboration to facilitate the long-term transition to a modernized electricity system. Key accomplishments to date include: hosting events aimed at improving training and recruitment issues in the electricity sector, research to identify potential resources and markets for increased clean electricity trade between Canada and the U.S., as well as research on the potential of power storage and the identification of market barriers to making more efficient use of storage.
Research and Development (R&D) working group
The R&D working group aims to facilitate greater cross-border R&D collaboration by connecting Canadian and U.S. experts and institutions in priority areas, including future-generation biofuels, clean engines/vehicles and energy efficiency. Key accomplishments to date include: a Memorandum of Understanding to support cooperative R&D to develop materials and manufacturing processes for lightweight, energy efficient vehicles and clean energy production, a cooperative agreement to facilitate collaborative research on algal biofuels aimed at yielding improved productivity and harvesting methods, and collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy on energy system modelling efforts, as well as work to develop a Clean Energy Research, Development and Demonstration Framework.
Next Steps:
The next steps are to continue to implement the Action Plan commitments and explore a path forward for collaboration. Canada and the United States will continue to deepen coordination aimed at advancing the development of clean energy technologies in a way that reflects the economic integration of our two countries. A second Clean Energy Dialogue roundtable meeting with key stakeholders is planned for early 2011. The purpose of the meeting will be to take stock of progress and discuss new clean energy opportunities that could be pursued jointly.
Backgrounder
REGULATORY COOPERATION COUNCIL
Canada and the United States are two of the most integrated economies in the world. This commercial relationship, which supports millions of jobs on both sides of the border, is essential to the prosperity of both countries.
The Prime Minister and President have announced the creation of a Canada-U.S. Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC). This Council commits both countries to finding ways to reduce and prevent regulatory barriers to cross-border trade, because simplifying rules and reducing red tape lead to lower costs for business and consumers, and ultimately to more jobs.
The two leaders believe that the citizens of both countries deserve smarter, more effective approaches to regulation that enhance economic competitiveness, while maintaining high standards of public heath and safety, and protecting the environment.
The establishment of the Regulatory Cooperation Council in no way diminishes the sovereignty of Canada or the U.S., with each government continuing to carry out its regulatory functions according to its domestic legal and policy requirements.
Canada and the US have a strong record of achievement in regulatory cooperation on which to build. Some of these achievements include:
- In October 2010, Canada announced final regulations, aligned with those in the United States, which imposed more stringent greenhouse gas emission standards for new passenger automobiles and light trucks, thereby making emissions from 2016 model vehicles about 25 per cent lower than those sold in Canada in 2008.
- By September 2011, a harmonized standard for electronic stabilization systems in light-duty vehicles will be in place, enhancing safety and significantly reducing the risk of collisions.
- In June 2009, Canada and the U.S. recognized as equivalent each other’s national organic systems, thereby facilitating bilateral trade in certified organic products.
In addition to building on past cooperation, the Regulatory Cooperation Council could focus on new sectors, such as nanotechnology, where regulatory policy in both countries is at an early stage.
Backgrounder
THE CANADA-U.S. BORDER: A PARTNERSHIP THAT WORKS
The Canada-U.S. Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness builds on existing initiatives to accelerate the flow of trade and people across the border.
At borders on land, at sea and in the air, Canada and the U.S. are collaborating to mitigate threats that would hinder our economic prosperity.
Since the 9/11 attacks, Canada and the U.S. have been working on ways to restore the flow of priority goods and people across the border following a major incident.
Canada has continued to pursue major initiatives that demonstrate its commitment to keeping its border open to the movement of travellers and goods, and closed to those that would do both our countries harm.
SECURITY AT THE BORDER AND ON LAND
Trusted Trader Programs
Facilitated border trusted trader programs allow the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to better manage risk at the border by facilitating the flow of low-risk commercial businesses and goods, thus permitting the Agency to focus its efforts on businesses and goods of unknown or high risk. This helps to reduce wait times and traffic congestion, which in turn supports commercial trade and the economic prosperity of Canadian business.
Partners in Protection (PIP)
The PIP program enlists the cooperation of individual companies to assist the CBSA in enhancing border and supply chain security, combating organized crime and terrorism, and detecting and preventing contraband smuggling. Under this voluntary program, the CBSA is developing strategic partnerships with private industry to secure international cargo and facilitate the flow of low-risk, legitimate goods across our border.
One of these partnerships is with the United States Commercial-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). The CBSA and the United States Customs and Border Protection moved to align the policies, processes and information sharing requirements of the two programs, as committed to by the Canadian Minister of Public Safety and the United States Secretary of Homeland Security. This will now allow the two organizations to commence the initial phases of implementation with the longer-term objective of program harmonization. This alignment is a tangible example of the benefits of working together to integrate our border management regime, streamline trade processes and allow trade to flow more smoothly across our shared border.
The information required to establish and maintain compliance for PIP and C-TPAT applicants and members will be shared between both countries, but with a commitment by both countries to maintain the privacy rights of applicants and members. Trade data and the names and dates of birth of company directors will not be shared.
Customs Self Assessment (CSA)
The CSA program is a facilitated border program specifically designed to support commercial trade. It offers low-risk importers streamlined border clearance, plus simplified accounting and payment options. Currently, the program allows CSA importers to move qualified goods coming from North America through a facilitated border clearance process.
eManifest
On October 31, 2010, the CBSA officially launched eManifest, a major initiative that will further strengthen and align our mutual border requirements starting with the highway mode. eManifest will require trade partners in all modes of transportation (air, marine, highway and rail) to submit cargo, crew/passenger, conveyance, secondary and importer data to the CBSA prior to arrival at the border. This will allow Border Services Officers to identify potential health, safety and security threats to Canada, while facilitating the movement of low-risk shipments across the border.
Trusted Traveller Programs
Canada has implemented a series of trusted traveller programs, including the domestic CANPASS suite of programs for individuals travelling to Canada, and the two Canada-U.S. binational programs – NEXUS and the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) driver program for individuals travelling to both Canada and the United States. These programs provide for shorter wait times and streamlined border clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers.
NEXUS currently has over 470,000 members, which is a 39 percent increase over last year. It is expected that the NEXUS program will reach the 500,000 milestone before the end of March 2011. The usage of dedicated program commuter lanes and self-serve airport kiosks has also increased. For example, in the air mode, there was an increase of 27.8% in fiscal year 2009/10 when compared to the previous year, to some 472,000 passages. Likewise in the land mode, passages saw an increase of 26.2%, to more than 2.79 million passages, during that same period. NEXUS members are also now benefitting from the "Trusted Traveller/NEXUS Trial" which allows expedited pre-board screening by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) for NEXUS participants at three Canadian airports - Toronto (Terminal 1), Montreal and Ottawa.
Advance Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record Program (API/PNR)
The Advance Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record (API/PNR) program provides information about travellers in advance of their arrival to Canada. This information allows the CBSA to effectively risk assess all travellers coming to Canada thereby allowing the Agency to focus its attention more efficiently on those who may pose a threat or risk to the safety and security of Canadians.
Integrated Border Enforcement Teams (IBETs)
The Integrated Border Enforcement Teams (IBETs) enhance border integrity and security along the shared Canada/U.S. border, between designated ports of entry, by identifying, investigating and interdicting persons, organizations and goods that threaten the national security of one or both countries, or that are involved in organized criminal activity.
The five core organizations participating in the IBET program include the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), CBSA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection/Border Patrol, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Coast Guard. There are 15 IBET Regions along the Canada-U.S. border with dedicated IBET personnel operating in 24 strategic locations in those regions.
IBET units protect both Canada and the United States from potential threats of terrorism and impede the trafficking/smuggling of people and contraband.
AVIATION SECURITY
Passenger Protect Program
The Passenger Protect program was implemented on June 18, 2007. The program is an aviation security initiative designed to identify individuals that may pose a threat to transportation and disrupt their ability to cause harm or threaten aviation, adding another layer of security to our aviation system to help address potential threats.
Under the program, airlines must compare passengers’ names against a list that is controlled and managed by Transport Canada before a boarding pass is issued. When an airline finds a possible match with an entry on the list, it must contact Transport Canada, which will then confirm the identity and take action as appropriate.
While this made-in-Canada program enhances security and respects the needs and realities of the aviation industry, it also ensures that the privacy rights of individuals are protected.
Air Cargo Security
Our Government has introduced sweeping changes to Canada’s aviation system to ensure it is one of the safest and most efficient, and meets the highest standards in the world. In June 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Harper introduced funding to strengthen air cargo security, which has since enabled significant work with industry to develop the best Air Cargo Security Program for Canada possible. The new Air Cargo Security Program, announced in May 2010, is a $95.7 million investment over five years, to be phased in and fully implemented by 2015.
Implementation of this initiative will contribute to enhanced aviation security by:
- Strengthening the regulations, standards and technologies for air cargo screening.
- Increasing the participation of shippers, agents/freight forwarders and air carriers in a secure supply chain that mitigates the risks of terrorist or unlawful interventions.
- Reinforcing industry awareness and commitment to air cargo security.
- Increasing the confidence of Canadians and international partners in Canada’s air cargo security regime.
- Contributing to the achievement of the Government’s commitment as a strong partner in global efforts against terrorism.
MARINE SECURITY
Shiprider
In October 2010, Our Government introduced legislation to strengthen policing efforts between Canada and the United Sates to more effectively identify, assess and eliminate border threats in shared waterways, especially organized criminal activity and threats of terrorism. The Keeping Canadians Safe (Protecting Borders) Act would implement the Canada–U.S. Framework Agreement on Integrated Cross-Border Maritime Law Enforcement Operations. If passed, the proposed legislation will permit RCMP and other designated Canadian law enforcement officers to work jointly with United States Coast Guard (USCG) and other designated United States law enforcement personnel on maritime law enforcement vessels in boundary waters, such as the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway, and off both east and west coasts. Successful pilot projects were already used to support the 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games in Vancouver, and the G20 summit in Toronto requirements.
