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New Canada-U.S. Initiatives on Border Issues Announced
April 8, 1997
Washington D.C.
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced a series of
agreements with the Government of the United States to accommodate
the growing flow of people across the Canada-U.S. border. The
agreements, concluded during the Prime Minister's visit to Washington,
will streamline the legitimate movement of people and goods, while
strengthening enforcement through cooperation between border and
law enforcement agencies.
These measures will bring significant advantages to small border
communities, busy ports of entry, businesses and travellers. They
build on the landmark Shared Border Accord and Open
Skies Agreement signed during the visit of U.S. President
Bill Clinton to Ottawa in February 1995.
To ease the movement of people and goods across the border, the
two governments agree to:
Reduce congestion at some of the busiest entry points by building
Commercial Vehicle Processing Centres on the most suitable
side of the border. The first centre will be built by early 1999
at the Fort Erie, Ontario-Buffalo Peace Bridge crossing and will
provide U.S. customs services at Fort Erie to American-bound traffic.
By early 1999, commercial vehicles will line up for processing
at off-road facilities, eliminating traffic tie-ups and delays
for other vehicles.
Clear commercial carriers electronically with the North American
Trade Automation Prototype which will reduce traffic congestion
significantly and lower costs for businesses and consumers. The
initiative, based on common data, documents and procedures, begins
this month on a test basis at the Buffalo-Fort Erie and Detroit-Windsor
border crossings.
As a truck approaches the border, special transponder devices
will send a signal to customs identifying the truck, the driver
and the cargo. After evaluating whether the shipment meets customs
clearance requirements, Customs will send a message to the truck,
instructing it to enter the compound or continue on its route.
Offer an Automated/Remote Permits Ports program to provide
round-the-clock service by the year 2000 to small communities
all along the shared border, by using technology such as remote
video inspection. This service will allow people in small border
communities to cross the border -- for dinner or a movie, for
example -- avoiding drives of up to an hour to the nearest full-time
border station. Consultations on service to 22 paired border communities
will begin this fall.
Reduce the number of customs stops from four to two for
in transit commercial carriers moving goods through either country,
beginning in the fall of 1997. This will eliminate 300,000 processing
stops annually on the New York State-Ontario-Michigan border alone,
saving truckers millions of dollars without compromising border
security.
Construct Joint Border Facilities. The first venture will
be a U.S.-Canada customs and immigration facility at the Coutts,
Alberta-Sweetgrass, Montana border. Such facilities will increase
efficiencies.
Conduct joint seminars to assist the trading community
to meet Canada-U.S. customs requirements with the aim of further
reducing unnecessary delays at ports of entry.
In July, Pre-clearance Services at the Ottawa airport will
be established. This will allow airlines to provide better services
to the U.S.
To capitalize on growing trade opportunities, Canada plans to
work closely with the United States to plan more efficient and
innovative cross-border transportation facilities. The purpose
is to ensure that highway and rail transportation networks are
adequate to meet the projected demands of the next decade and
beyond. Border trade and transportation coalitions of public and
private sector groups are playing a role in promoting cross-border
cooperation.
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PMO Press Office (613) 957-5555
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