September 25, 2001

No two countries work more closely on the common goal of ensuring the safety of their citizens against terrorism than Canada and the United States.

The RCMP, CSIS, local police, Customs, Immigration and Transport officials work with their American counterparts every day, 365 days a year.

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Attorney General Ashcroft recently praised the work of the Solicitor General MacAulay and the members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for their work.

Under the circumstances created by these attacks, the issue is how Canada and the United States - two of the freest and most open societies in the world - manage our interdependence here in North America.

We are committed to taking action on the border to ensure public safety and security, while:

• Facilitating $1.3 billion in daily trade;
• Facilitating cross border travel by some 200 million people per year; and,
• And maintaining our ability to apply unique Canadian approaches and nurture unique Canadian values.

We want a shared border that is seamless, secure, but sovereign.

As the Prime Minister has said, "... there is one thing I want to say: that the laws of Canada will be passed by the Parliament of Canada."

Cooperation since September 11, 2001

Since the attacks, the RCMP has been working with its American counterparts to provide whatever technical, logistical and other support is necessary to assist them in their investigation.

Customs officers are maintaining a high state of vigilance. We have increased the questioning of people and the examination of goods entering the country.

Security measures for air travellers have been increased.

Any assets related to Osama bin Laden or his associates in Canada are frozen.

Canada is moving quickly to ratify and implement the UN Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism Financing. This is expected in the near future.

The new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act will strengthen our ability to keep Canadians safe from undesirable individuals while ensuring that those who need Canada's help are permitted to enter.

The proposed Charities Registration (Security Information) Act will prevent tax-assisted donations from being used to support terrorism.

Through the Shared Border Accord (1995), the Cross Border Crime Forum (1997) and the Border Vision Initiative (1997), both our countries have taken important steps to streamline and collaborate on border policies and management, expand co-operation at and beyond the border, and collaborate on common threats from outside Canada and the United States.

Under the 1988 Joint Declaration on Counter-Terrorism, Canada and the United States improved their information and intelligence sharing on suspected and known terrorists for use in the screening of visas and inspections at points of entry.