Address by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien on the occasion of the Canada-U.S. Border Summit

September 9, 2002
Detroit, Michigan

A short distance from here is the Ambassador Bridge. It spans two great cities -- Detroit and Windsor -- two great peoples and two great nations.

More than a feat of architecture and construction, the Bridge is a symbol of the most open bilateral relationship in the world. A relationship based on shared values of freedom and human dignity. A model to the world of civility and respect. And, in the context of globalization, a guide to how nations can develop strong friendships while retaining distinct identities.

Across the longest undefended border in the world, we have built, by far, the largest two-way trading relationship in the world, with a value of $475 billion US a year and $1.3 billion dollars a day. Eighty-five percent of Canadian exports go to the United States and twenty-three percent of all American exports come to Canada. In 2000, Canada bought more U.S. goods than all 15 countries of the European Union combined, and three times as much as Japan. Thirty-eight US states count Canada as their largest export market.

The Ambassador bridge is the fast lane for Canada-U.S. trade. Twenty-five percent of our two way trade --or $120 billion US -- travels the bridge. Seven thousand trucks cross it every day. The value of trade that crosses this bridge exceeds all of U.S. trade with Japan.

One year ago, our shared values were attacked in an unthinkable way. For most of our history, we in North America have lived in peace untouched by attack. 9-11 changed that. And it changed the world. That terrible day will live forever as monument to the worst in the human spirit. But the days since will long be remembered as a monument to the very best.

I would like to pay tribute to you, Mr. President, for the skill and resolve you showed in rallying the world against the terror network of Al Qaeda. The American people can be proud of what you have accomplished in their name. And the Canadian people are deeply proud that our Armed Forces have fought side by side, in defence of justice and freedom, with American soldiers in Afghanistan.

Mr. President, you and I met at the White House less than two weeks after 9-11. We understood the urgent need to act. But also the fact that our people would never consent to live life looking over their shoulders in fear. That they would insist on living according to our values of freedom and openness -- not on terms dictated from the shadows. We vowed to ensure that the threat of terror would not undermine the security of our citizens, or hold our economies hostage.

Both of our nations have taken forceful action, in our own ways, to enhance the security of our people. In Canada, we have passed strong new anti-terrorism laws. State-of-the-art security technologies are being quickly brought on line.

We recognized that we could create a "smart border," one that was not only more secure, but more efficient for trade; to permit our businesses to get back to business; to allow our nurses, engineers, and computer technicians to provide their services; and, our students to attend classes; to let our communities continue planning a shared future together secure in the knowledge that the border welcomes legitimate trade and travellers.

The Windsor-Detroit Gateway has figured prominently in our plans.

As a sign of the high priority we placed on this goal, we assigned two very able public servants the task of turning our commitment into action: Deputy Prime Minister John Manley and Governor Tom Ridge. And I compliment them for a job well done. They have made extraordinary progress building "The Smart Border" for the 21st century. A border that is open for business, but closed to terrorists. With their signing last December of "The Smart Border Declaration," our governments began implementing an aggressive and sweeping 30-point Action Plan.

The vast majority of the people who cross our border pose no risk to either country. To ensure that such low-risk individuals are able to travel with a minimum of delay, we implemented, and are expanding, the NEXUS pre-screening program at our land border crossings. NEXUS provides "fast lanes" for pre-approved travellers and is already running at several border crossings. To speed things up at our busiest border crossing, we are opening the NEXUS enrolment centre in Detroit.

The Free and Secure Trade -- or FAST -- program provides similar benefits for shipments of low risk goods. While enhancing security, FAST will make many cross-border commercial shipments simpler, cheaper and subject to fewer delays.

Ladies and gentlemen, both Canadians and Americans understand that the goal of the terrorists is not to conquer us by force of arms but by force of terror. To intimidate us into retreating from our openness and to abandon the pillars of prosperity and freedom which support our quality of life.

But, Mr. President, you and I know that freedom is a very, very stubborn thing. And that it will prevail!

On Wednesday we will mark the solemn anniversary of that terrible day. But let us celebrate today, together, the ingenuity and resolve that Canada and the United States have shown to ensure that our people can get on with daily life and that our business can get on with business free from fear and insecurity.

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