Thread: Canada, U.S. border deal biggest since NAFTA

Canada, U.S. To Sign New Border Pact .

By PAUL VIEIRA

OTTAWA–Canada and the U.S. are expected to announce a perimeter-security deal next week that will see both governments share more data on who's coming and going at border crossings and ease bottlenecks, according to people familiar with the deal.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is scheduled to visit the White House on Dec. 7, at which time he and President Barack Obama are expected to formally endorse the pact.

According to people briefed on the deal, the pact envisages more U.S. officers working at ports and factory gates to inspect and approve Canadian-bound cargo before it hits the border. This preclearance is meant to reduce congestion, which companies on both sides of the border complain have boosted transportation costs. and has increased the time required to move key parts to factories.

The countries are also prepared to mutually recognize certain regulatory regimes, to avoid duplication on inspections of food and other goods; and to expand "trusted-traveler" plans, most notably NEXUS, which provide expedited travel to preapproved travelers at the border

"This is not (a) sweeping deal, but it is a concrete step," said Scotty Greenwood, senior managing director at Washington law firm McKenna Long & Aldridge, which specializes in Canada-U.S. relations.

Officials with Canada's Prime Minister's Office declined to comment about the deal's contents. A PMO spokesman said Messrs. Harper and Obama would discuss the Canada-U.S. relationship, "including economic competitiveness, trade and security, and key global issues."

The two leaders kick-started negotiations last February when they announced the Beyond the Borders initiative in Washington. At the time, they declared the two countries would work jointly to pursue a "perimeter" approach to security, while at the same time ease the legitimate flow of people, goods and services across the border. Canada and the U.S. have the world's largest trading relationship, with an estimated C$1.6 billion (US$1.57 billion) worth of goods and services crossing the border each day.

Part of the deal is an integrated entry-exit system, in which Canadian and U.S. authorities will notify each other when people enter or exit their countries at border points, these people said.

Canada's privacy commissioner, Jennifer Stoddart, has raised worries about how data on Canadian residents would be treated by U.S. officials, as Canadians aren't protected under U.S. privacy laws. She said in a recent blog posting that the agreement must include a "clear line on privacy."

People familiar with the talks said the deal spells out limits on how countries handle the data.

The deal also allows regulatory authorities to take the lead in amending current rules, instead of subjecting changes to either U.S. Congressional or Canadian Parliament approval.

Mr. Harper's visit to Washington comes as the Canada-U.S. relationship has hit some notable snags, highlighted by the White House move to delay its decision on a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. Mr. Harper has said building the pipeline extension was a "no-brainer" decision, because it provided the U.S. with a secure source of energy.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... lenews_wsj

Isn't this a treaty and if so would that not require ratification by Congress?

W

Are they going to take half of our illegals?

Harper: Canada, U.S. border deal biggest since NAFTA

December 7, 2011 - 5:01pm
By PAUL McLEOD Ottawa Bureau
UPDATED 8:08 p.m.

OTTAWA — Stephen Harper and Barack Obama are calling a sweeping new pact to open up the border between Canada and the United States a historic move for the two countries.

“These agreements create a new modern order for a new century,â€

Beyond the Border Action Plan

Background

On February 4, 2011, President Obama and Prime Minister Harper announced the United States-Canada joint declaration, Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness. Beyond the Border articulates a shared approach to security in which both countries work together to address threats within, at, and away from our borders, while expediting lawful trade and travel.

Since the February 4, 2011 announcement, the Governments of the United States and Canada have worked to identify specific action items to advance the goals of Beyond the Border. These initiatives are described in the Beyond the Border Action Plan, which was released on December 7, 2011 by President Obama and Prime Minister Harper. This Action Plan draws from the expertise and experiences of front-line personnel on both sides of the border. It represents significant commitments by our countries that will make our countries more secure and economically competitive. It was crafted through discussions between our governments and is guided by a mutual respect for sovereignty and our respective constitutional and legal frameworks that protect privacy.

To promote accountability and transparency, each of the initiatives in the Beyond the Border Action Plan includes a timeline for completion, metrics for success, and identifies each government’s lead agency. Additionally, there are several ways for the public to provide input and help ensure this initiative is a success. An Assistant Secretary/Assistant Deputy Minister-level Beyond the Border Executive Steering Committee will coordinate and oversee the implementation of the Beyond the Border Action Plan.

http://www.dhs.gov/files/publications/b ... -plan.shtm

Read the December 7, 2011 Beyond the Border Action Plan.
(PDF, 30 pages - 631 KB)

http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/wh/u ... n-plan.pdf