Quietly, Canada and
the United States are
moving toward an agreement that could fix many of the border problems that have
developed since 9-11.
An “action plan” to address major issues -
including congestion and restrictions on the flow of goods and services and
cross-border trade - is being developed by negotiating teams from each country
and is expected to be tabled in September.
The initiative stems from a commitment made by
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama last February to craft
a border deal that will cut through the bureaucratic red tape that’s stifling
trade and traffic between Canada and
the U.S.
Both Harper and Obama are trying to find a
compromise that will put safety and trade on an equal footing. The overall goal
is to create a continental security perimeter, to better share information,
facilitate the free flow of goods and services and make the necessary
infrastructure improvements at border crossings. Read more here.
