By Steven Chase
Stephen Harper’s Conservatives are negotiating a perimeter security agreement with the United States – a deal designed to ensure the vital trade flow between Canada and its largest trading partner is not choked off by the aggressive U.S. security bureaucracy.
“We intend to work together to defend and protect the land, maritime, air and cyberspace domains of both the United States and Canada and to enhance the security of our integrated transportation and communication networks,” says a draft version of a declaration on a possible deal obtained by The Globe and Mail.
“We intend to pursue a perimeter approach to security, working together within, at and away from the borders of our two countries in a way that supports economic competitiveness, job creation and prosperity, and in a partnership to enhance our security and accelerate the legitimate flow of people and goods between our two countries.”
Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorism attacks in the United States, Canada has fought a constant battle to convince the Americans that bilateral commerce needs to be protected from the ever-expanding U.S. security clampdown that is clogging trade with new rules and procedures. Increasing border controls, for instance, in recent years have forced companies to abandon just-in-time shipping and stockpile goods to reduce the risks of transaction delays in cross-border trade.
It’s not clear how close Canada and the United States are to signing a deal that would more closely intermesh Canadian and U.S. security bureaucracies. The Prime Minister’s Office refused to comment on the matter on Wednesday evening, and Canadian officials denied an announcement is imminent.
The draft statement says the two countries intend to establish a “Beyond the Border Working Group” of officials to implement and oversee the agreement. In Canada, the Privy Council Office would take the lead, while in the United States it would be national security staff within the White House.
“We intend for the BBWG to report to their respective leaders within 120 days of the signing of this declaration with a joint plan of action to realize the goals of this declaration,” it says.
The deal could trigger concerns over privacy and sharing of information with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, but the statement says a deal would respect sovereignty, privacy and civil liberties.
Envisioned aspects of the deal include:
-An integrated cargo security strategy that ensures compatible screening methods for goods and cargo before they depart foreign ports for the U.S. or Canada.
-Closer co-operation between law enforcement agencies in both countries.
-A joint approaching to screening people seeking to enter the United States or Canada, including new security investment in the top 10 publicly owned ports of entry. “In order to promote mobility between our two countries, we expect to work towards an integrated United States-Canada entry-exit system by identifying and screening at the earliest opportunity – including through the use of biometrics,” the draft statement says. “At the land border, we intend to work towards exchanging entry information on foreign nationals so that documented entry into one country serves to verify exits from the other country.”
-Cross-border sharing of information on serious offenders, criminals and suspects. “We intend to improve the sharing of relevant law enforcement information to identify known and suspected serious offenders and violent criminals on both sides of the border,” the statement reads.
-A joint approach to port and border security. “By planning together, organizing bi-national port of entry committees to co-ordinate planning and funding, building, expanding or modernizing shared border management facilities and border infrastructure where appropriate, and using information technology solutions, we intend to enhance our risk-management practices and accelerate the legitimate movement of people and goods between our countries.”
It would also include a closer working relationship for the Canadian and U.S. militaries in emergencies, building on a 2008 agreement that sets out rules for how each country can call for the other’s assistance.
