News Release

National 2005

United States - Canada Partnering in the Container Security Initiative

October 20, 2005, Washington, D.C.- Today, United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Robert C. Bonner and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) President Alain Jolicoeur signed a Container Security Initiative (CSI) partnership arrangement to move forward on the commitment of both countries to securing North American trade.

"The United States and Canada have implemented revolutionary initiatives to secure our countries borders, yet improve the flow of legitimate trade and people across our borders. Together, we have reinvented our mutual border and how we manage it," said Commissioner Bonner. "The agreement we signed today represents a commitment between the U.S. and Canada to partner in one of the most revolutionary initiatives, CSI, to extend our mutual zones of security outward to foreign seaports."

The CSI partnership arrangement was signed during the 12th meeting since 9/11 under the U.S./Canada Accord on our Shared Border and Commissioner Bonner's last as Commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

"The signing of this arrangement is yet another example of how Canada and the United States work closely together to ensure the safety, security, and prosperity of both our countries," said President Jolicoeur. "CSI is a valuable program that will assist us to ensure that the North American perimeter remains secure while improving the flow of trade at our maritime ports."

The United States and Canada continue to take significant steps forward in coordinated efforts to increase the overall effectiveness of the respective border security programs. Goals/accomplishments include:

• FAST;
• NEXUS;
• Harmonized commercial processing and equivalent processes for commercial shipments, to the greatest extent possible;
• Harmonized timeframes for advance electronic cargo reporting;
• Implemented the "24-Hour Rule" for marine shipments destined to North America;
• Collaborated in the development of automated risk assessment systems, tools and methods;
• Improved infrastructure and border processing times.

This is the latest meeting in a series regularly held by the heads of the U.S. and Canadian border agencies. Under the Smart Border Action Plan, Canada and the U.S. have worked together to achieve common goals in maintaining a secure border and facilitating trade and travel between the two countries.

"I am extremely pleased with the progress made at these meetings, " said Alain Jolicoeur, President of the Canada Border Services Agency. "Canada and the U.S. continue to work together to ensure our collective security and economic prosperity. In particular, I would like to thank Commissioner Bonner for his vision, his wisdom, his dedication and his leadership. It has been a pleasure working with him and I look forward to working with the next Commissioner to continue on with our success in meeting the objectives of the Smart Border Action Plan."

On December 12, 2001 the U.S. and Canada signed the Smart Border Declaration and launched the 32-point Action Plan which is based on four pillars: the secure flow of people, the secure flow of goods, secure infrastructure, and information sharing and coordination in the enforcement of these objectives.

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For media information

U.S. contact:
Media Services
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
202-344-1780

Canada contact:
Media Relations
Canada Border Services Agency
613-957-6500