October 15, 2004

The following is excerpted from the press release on meetings held yesterday regarding progress on the implementation of the Smart Border Plan, between the Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Anne McLellan PC, MP, and the US Secretary of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge.  

Canadian Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Anne McLellan, and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge today highlighted continuing progress on the implementation
of the Smart Border Action Plan, including an agreement to engage stakeholders in a discussion on the pre-screening of commercial traffic and on work towards a pilot of full
preclearance at the Fort Erie-Buffalo Peace Bridge.

"By screening travelers, shipments and conveyances prior to their reaching the border through a bridge or tunnel, we will increase security and decrease congestion," said Secretary Ridge. "The discussions we initiated today about preclearing people and cargo will ultimately result in better protection for our shared border."

Minister McLellan said "We are now turning our attention toward identifying additional steps that might be taken to further modernize the border, with the input of border stakeholders."

Highlights of progress since October 2003 include:

A joint plan to engage stakeholders in a discussion on commercial pre-screening that would enhance traffic flow and security at the Fort Erie-Buffalo Peace Bridge. The two countries have also agreed to work with stakeholders to examine a pilot on full preclearance at the same crossing, with appropriate legislative changes to enhance inspection authorities;

The commitment by Canada to partner with the U.S. in their Container Security Initiative, including the deployment of Canada Border Services Agency officials to a foreign marine
port by April 2005 to assist in the targeting and verification of shipping containers destined to North America;

The implementation of the joint NEXUS-Air pilot program at Vancouver International Airport on November 30, 2004. NEXUS-Air will use biometric technology and will be open to citizens and permanent residents of both Canada and the United States;

The expansion of the Integrated Border Enforcement Teams (IBETs) to the Sault Ste Marie region. The IBET is a multi-agency law enforcement team that emphasizes a harmonized approach to Canadian and United States efforts to target cross-border criminal and terrorist activity; and, the creation of two new dedicated FAST lanes - southbound at Pacific Highway (British Columbia) / Blaine (Washington) on October 20, 2004, and in both directions at the
Windsor-Detroit Ambassador Bridge on November 1, 2004.

Canada and the United States will issue the fifth Smart Border Action Plan Status Report in the coming weeks.