North American Partnerships

Working with the United States

Smart Border Declaration

In the wake of the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, Canadian and U.S. government departments and agencies have worked in partnership to improve security and services on the shared border through the Smart Border Declaration.

A collaborative 32-point Action Plan for identifying and addressing security risks while expediting the legitimate flow of people and goods across our border was created as a blueprint for the declaration.

The four pillars of the Action Plan are:

• Secure flow of people
• Secure flow of goods
• Secure infrastructure
• Coordination and information-sharing

Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement

This Agreement was a key deliverable under the Canada-U.S. Smart Border Action Plan.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

The Government of Canada is working collaboratively with the U.S. government to develop document requirements and a strategy for implementing the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). The initiative will require all travellers to present a passport or other appropriate secure document when entering or re-entering the United States.

Coordination and Information Sharing

Integrated Border Enforcement Teams
These teams combine the intelligence and law enforcement expertise of various agencies and use a coordinated approach to identify and stop the high-risk movement of people and goods between the ports of entry on the Canada-U.S. border.

Removal of deportees
Canada and the United States work together to remove high-risk individuals. 

Working with the United States and Mexico  

Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) of North America

This trilateral initiative was formalized between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico in June 2005.  The SPP provides the framework to ensure that North America is a safe place to do business by increasing security and enhancing the prosperity among the three countries through greater cooperation and information-sharing.