Securing Canada’s borders

by John Thompson

04/28/03

By way of introductory remarks, the author of this column has just returned from several days of informal talks in Washington with members of the US military, State Department and sundry think tanks.

Canada’s relationships with the United States are complex, deep, and very, very strong — tough enough to even survive Washington’s current unwillingness to have anything to do with our current Prime Minister (whom they have now have written off as a complete oaf).

Despite the embarrassing behaviors of some of the senior members in Canada’s "natural governing party", there are too many ties at too many levels of government to long delay the implementation of vital programs to both nations. One example of the reality of Canadian-American relations can be found with the Smart Border Action Plan — a plan that is being rapidly brought forward.

We depend on trade with the United States for about 32% of our gross domestic product. For every three dollars that Canadians earn, one of them is a result from our intimate economic ties with America. The Americans are less dependent on their trade with us, but we remain their most important trading partner. What is more, insofar as some of the true American experts on their national economy and industrial capabilities are concerned, separating the American and Canadian economies would be a pointless exercise -- they are inextricably linked.

Both Canada and most of the United States government regard the smooth passage of goods and people over our common border as a vital concern. However, the passage of illegal goods and illegal aliens over the border is still an important problem for both nations — especially given the risk of mega-terrorism presented by the likes of al Qaida and other ‘assymetric’ threats. Keeping control over the border remains an important priority for both our nations.

Given these two priorities, it is reassuring to see the rapid American acceptance of key Canadian proposals for a series of ‘Smart Border’ initiatives, and the quick progress of many joint ideas. These include common standards for biometric data on ID cards; permanent resident cards for non-citizens; and access to each other’s criminal records systems (including fingerprints).

A single series of integrated US/Canadian inspection posts at major crossings have already begun to pay dividends in improved efficiency while saving on resources — this is known as the NEXUS program and has already been in place at six sites. The Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program is speeding clearance for low-risk commercial shipments over the border at six crucial crossing points — so that trucks carrying ‘just in time’ inventories of parts for manufacturers or agricultural produce can clear the border with few delays. Approaches to clear the contents of railway cars and cargo containers away from the frontier will also reduce border congestion.

Proposals for exchanges of information on asylum seekers in both countries will reduce the risk of entry by security threats and by fraudulent refugee claimants; part of this program has already been put in place with the creation of the API/PNR (Advance Passenger Information/Passenger Name Record) program to identify all passengers on aircraft traveling to North America before they land here. Joint Passenger Analysis Units have already been created and have started work.

Programs for pre-clearance of regular border crossers have already begun — so that people who frequently cross the border can be pre-approved for a fast lane to clear them (although, as always, some will be inspected just to make sure).

Savings with these programs are already being directed towards infrastructure improvements and the targeting of cargo containers at seaports — and both countries are regularly sharing information so that each can inspect cargo containers of interest to the other.

A big bite has been taken out of some of the long-time smuggling rings -- particularly Aboriginal ones -- with the highly successful development of Integrated Border and Marine Enforcement Teams (IBETs). These are already making it more difficult to smuggle aliens, illegal black market booze, guns and narcotics over the border.

Much more is being implemented as well — more joint customs posts, shared removal of deportees, shared data to freeze terrorist or criminal assets, intelligent transportation systems using transponders and GPS systems, and the deployment of more immigration officers overseas.

Even while Carolyn Parrish besmirched the parentage of our neighbors and our PM’s staff denigrated the intelligence of the President, continual progress was made on creating and implementing the ‘Smart Border’ initiatives to the benefit of both nations. It is nice to know there are some professionals at work.

John Thompson is President of the Mackenzie Institute which studies political instability and terrorism. He can be reached at: mackenzieinstitute@bellnet.ca