Canada – U.S. Statement on Common Security Priorities

December 3, 2001

As part of our common effort to fight terrorism, Canada and the U.S. signed today a Joint Statement of Cooperation on Border Security and Regional Migration issues.

The Statement reaffirms our countries’ long-standing commitment to make the Canada-U.S. border a model of cooperation, ensuring the continued prosperity of our interdependent economies.

The work plan to which Canada and the U.S. have agreed includes:

Integrating Canadian officials on the US Foreign Terrorist Tracking Task Force, which will coordinate the efforts of agencies against security threats.

Reviewing our visitor visa policies, with a view to sharing information about high-risk visa applications.

Developing joint units to assess information on incoming passengers, leading to earlier identifications of those who should be more closely examined upon arrival.

Increasing the number of Canadian and American Immigration Control Officers overseas, so that we can improve our ability to detect those who are ineligible for entry before they reach Canada or the U.S.

Developing common biometric identifiers for documents, which will enhance the integrity of travel documents and allow authorities to quickly identify passengers that require greater security.

Developing a Safe Third Country Agreement, which would help Canada and the U.S. better focus their asylum systems on genuine refugees in need of protection.

Expanding the Integrated Border Enforcement Teams so that Citizenship and Immigration Canada becomes a full partner, enhancing our ability to share information and technology with the U.S.

Reinvigorating Project North Star so that local, provincial, state and federal law enforcement agencies can better coordinate their work.

The Statement signed today complements the Government of Canada’s $280 million anti-terrorism plan, a balanced plan that fulfills the need for greater security in the aftermath of September 11, while preserving the values and freedoms that Canadians cherish.