MoreOsama Bin Laden has publicly identified Canada as a target for his followers to attack. The terrorist threat is not just a U.S. problem-it is very much ours, too, and it is in Canada's interests to do all we can to ensure our country is neither a target of terrorism nor a staging ground for attacks against others.
Like our physical security, the economic security of our two countries is indivisible. In 2004, Canada-U.S. trade approached $680 billion, with over $1.8 billion worth of goods and services crossing the border every day-that's a million dollars of business a minute. Canada takes 23.5 percent of U.S. exports (a larger market than all 25 countries of the European Union combined), supporting over five million U.S. jobs.
Our security relationship is equally extensive and there have been significant initiatives with the U.S. on that front since 9/11:
- We now have joint teams in Halifax, Montreal, Vancouver, Seattle-Tacoma and Newark to target in-transit containers.
- We have implemented the Free and Secure Trade program for pre-approved importers, carriers and drivers to expedite low-risk shipments.
- We share six joint facilities straddling the border and are negotiating to place both countries' customs and immigration teams on the same side at various border crossings.
- We share Advance Passenger Information on high-risk travelers.
Our borders are both more secure and better managed than they were just a few years ago. However, serious issues remain.
Since 9/11, we have seen a rapid increase in border protection regulations and programs. While each initiative and program is well founded, the layering of security, compliance, and delay costs adds billions of dollars of overhead at a time when North American manufacturers face dramatically growing offshore competition.
Since the Smart Border Declaration of 2001, estimated processing times for shipments into the U.S. tripled from 45 seconds to over two minutes and 15 seconds per truck by the end of 2004. Border delays alone cost the Canadian and U.S. economies an estimated C$12.5 billion annually. Since many North American goods cross the Canada-U.S. border several times before reaching consumers, the real cost is significantly higher (the automotive industry is so integrated that producing 4000 vehicles in North America may include over 1500 customs transactions).
One prominent North American company recently celebrated its one-millionth FAST shipment without a single actionable finding. However, this same company's inspections entering the U.S. in 2005 have increased 50 per cent over the same period in 2004.
A second concern is the pressing need for new infrastructure. At the world's most important border point, we rely on infrastructure built by our grandparents. The Ambassador Bridge was completed in 1929, and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel the following year, when today's trade levels were unimaginable and we had no fear of terrorism.
Even before 9/11, this vital crossing was choking on its own success, causing delays, congestion and pollution on both sides. Since then, however, it has become a matter of national security. And yet, no new crossing is planned until 2013.
My third concern is the possible impact of new secure ID requirements.
The NEXUS Highway program expedites pre-approved, low-risk travellers. The background checks for a NEXUS card make it even harder to obtain than a passport. Whatever is designated as an alternative to passports, it must be not only secure, but also inexpensive and convenient to obtain and use. Otherwise, it may damage border communities, trade and travel, creating a new barrier between people.
We have come a long way since 9/11, and our governments plan to move further. The terrorists win if they can divide us or weaken us. Our goal must be to strengthen both our defences and our economies, and to ensure that our common border remains a meeting place for our two peoples, and never becomes a wall to keep us apart.
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