Canada-U.S. Shiprider

Canada-U.S. Shiprider, officially known as Integrated Cross-border Maritime Law Enforcement Operations (ICMLEO), represents a truly cooperative approach to combating cross border crime on Canada and U.S. shared waterways.

Canada-U.S. Shiprider removes the international maritime boundary as a barrier to law enforcement by enabling seamless continuity of enforcement and security operations across the border, facilitating cross-border surveillance and interdiction, and serving as both a force multiplier and, potentially, as a model for other U.S./Canadian cross-border (integrated) enforcement and security initiatives.

This enforcement initiative is governed by the 2009 Canada-U.S. Framework Agreement on Integrated Cross-Border Maritime Law Enforcement Operations. The Framework Agreement on integrated law enforcement operations in boundary waters with the U.S. was signed in May 2009 by former Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan and Janet Napolitano, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.

How the Canada-U.S. Shiprider Works

Canada-U.S. Shiprider  involves vessels jointly crewed by specially trained and designated Canadian and U.S. law enforcement officers who are authorized to enforce the law on both sides of the international boundary line.  Working together, armed Canadian and U.S. law enforcement officers are able to transit back and forth across the border to help secure it from threats to national security, as well as prevent cross-border smuggling and trafficking.

Specific enforcement activities consist of detecting, monitoring and potentially boarding vessels in either Canadian or American waters.

In Canadian waters, Canada-U.S. Shiprider operations are subject to Canadian laws, policies and procedures and all operations are undertaken under the direction and control of the RCMP.  RCMP vessels designated as Canada-U.S. Shiprider vessels have a member of the USCG on board and are able to enter U.S. waters to enforce U.S. laws under the supervision of the USCG member.

Likewise, USCG vessels designated as Canada-U.S. Shiprider vessels have a member of the RCMP on board and are able to enter Canadian waters to enforce Canadian laws under the supervision of the RCMP officer.

By authorizing these officials to operate on either side of the border, the USCG and RCMP have developed a more efficient means of securing both sides of the border without violating the sovereignty of either nation.

Past Canada-U.S. Shiprider Operations

Five Canada-U.S. Shiprider pilots were conducted as a “proof of concept” for the Integrated Cross-border Maritime Law Enforcement Operations (ICMLEO).   The following operations provided the basis to gain governmental support for this framework agreement:

• Detroit-Windsor area in September 2005;
• Canada-U.S. Shiprider for Detroit Super Bowl XL in Feb 2006
• Two simultaneous Canada-U.S. Shiprider Pilot Projects from August to October 2007 in Cornwall/Massena (Ontario-New York State) and the Strait of Georgia (British Columbia and Washington State).
• The 2010 Winter Games Canada-U.S. Shiprider Pilot Project in Vancouver.