Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness

Beyond the Border:A Shared Vision for PerimeterSecurity and Economic Competitiveness CSG-ERC Canada-U.S. Relations Committee August 7, 2011 Beyond the Border

Canada-U.S. Relations • World’s largest bilateral economic relationship • Bilateral trade in 2010: over $500 billion • Approximately $1.5 billion every day • Over $1 million per minute • Mutual foreign direct investment is over $250 billion annually • 8 million U.S. jobs depend on trade with Canada • Canada is the U.S.’s largest export market • Exports to the U.S. support one in seven jobs in Canada Beyond the Border

Canada-U.S. Border • Longest non-militarized border in the world (8,891 km - 5,525 miles) • Almost 400,000 people cross the border every day at 119 land border crossings • Canada-U.S. trade is highly integrated • Vehicle can cross the border 5 times during assembly • Strong partnerships to keep the border secure Beyond the Border

Working Together • It is in both countries’ interests to ensure that our shared border remains open and efficient • We also must work together to ensure that it remains secure • We need to find new ways to exclude terrorists and criminals who pose a threat to our peoples. • We also need to find ways to eliminate regulatory barriers to cross-border trade and travel Beyond the Border

Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness Beyond the Border

Beyond the Border • Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama issue joint declaration on a Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness, February 4, 2011 • Key commitment: Joint Action Plan with specific initiatives to address the areas of work identified in the Declaration • Action Plan is being developed by a Beyond the Border Working Group, established under the Declaration Beyond the Border

Working Group • Led by a senior official from each country. • Includes representatives from relevant departments and agencies of the respective federal governments • Leads are responsible for ensuring inter-agency coordination and consultation • Canadian lead supported by secretariat at Industry Canada, drawn from various departments • U.S. lead named from White House National Security Council • Declaration included a commitment for the Beyond the Border Working Group report to Leaders with an Action Plan Beyond the Border

Action Plan • Canada and the U.S. share responsibility for the safety, security, and prosperity of our countries in an increasingly integrated global economy and complex threat environment • Goal is not to replace or eliminate the border, but to streamline border operations • Aligning resources effectively at the border can help expedite trade, ultimately leading to economic growth and job creation Beyond the Border

Key areas of cooperation • Addressing threats early • Quicker, more effective responses • Improved intelligence and information gathering, joint threat assessments • Trade facilitation, economic growth and jobs • Solutions to manage the flow of cross-border traffic • Investment in modern infrastructure and technology at busiest ports Beyond the Border

Key areas of cooperation • Integrated cross-border law enforcement • Develop next generation of integrated cross-border law enforcement building on existing bilateral law enforcement programs • Expand programs to cross-designate officers to jointly identify and interdict transnational crime (Canada-U.S. Shiprider) • Improve information sharing practices to allow law enforcement agencies to better identify serious offenders • Critical infrastructure and cyber-security • Prevent physical and cyber disruptions of critical infrastructure • Enhance security of our integrated transportation and communications networks Beyond the Border

Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) • Announced at the February 4th meeting of the Prime Minister and the President • Aimed at reducing red tape by making regulations in a range of sectors more compatible and less burdensome in both countries • Related process but separate initiative from the BBWG, with its own time-frame, agenda and consultation process Beyond the Border

Recent Developments • Canadian Public Safety Minister Toews and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Napolitano met on June 17 • Regulatory Cooperation Council held its first meeting in Washington, D.C. in June • Action Plan expected to be announced later this year • Resolution supporting the Shared Vision was adopted at the 35th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers in July Beyond the Border

Consultations • Consulting with stakeholders a critical part of developing the Action Plan • Public consultations held in Canada from March 13 until June 3 • Public report on consultations will be released later this year • U.S. Government undertaking similar consultations Beyond the Border

Implications for New England and Eastern Canada • Efficient movement of legitimate goods and travellers is vital to both countries’ economies as they recover • Canada-New England trade: $29.6 billion in 2010 • In 2010, over 550,000 trucks crossed the N.E.-Canada border • Over 400,000 jobs in New England depend on Canada-U.S. trade • Many communities, businesses and families in New England and Eastern Canada rely on an efficient and secure border • In 2010, over 7.8 million people crossed the N.E.-Canada border • Collaborative approach will keep them safe and prosperous Beyond the Border

Questions/Comments? More Info: www.borderactionplan.gc.ca Beyond the Border

Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness