Close the border to terrorism – open it to trade

“We share more than geography – a history, a common
commitment to freedom, and a common hope for the future…”

John F. Kennedy------May 10, 1963

Recently, I attended a series of meetings in Detroit, with other provincial and state legislators, to address the increasing costs and delays with crossing the US-Canada border, as a result of measures to combat terrorism.

In January, the United States ended its practice of accepting oral declarations of citizenship at the border. This means that it is now necessary for Canadian citizens ages 19 and older to prove both identity and citizenship. Children ages 18 and under will be expected to show a birth certificate.

Documents accepted by US border officials include a passport, an Enhanced Driver’s Licence and/or an Indian and Northern Affairs (INAC) card.

The World Trade Center terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 have significantly increased congestion, compounded by the increased suspicion and fear of outsiders. This chill serves to place a choke-hold on our cross-border economies.

Any new war on terrorism must be integrated into expeditious and enhanced trade. If we don’t, trade will move to other competitors outside the NAFTA tent.

Bearing in mind, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have both campaigned against the North American Free Trade agreement and say they want the 1994 deal renegotiated.

Last summer saw the longest delays since 2001 for US-bound traffic. Delays of up to three hours were commonplace despite the volume of commercial and passenger vehicles being down almost four per cent. The Peace Bridge at Buffalo experienced a 32 per cent increase in inspection time compared to the previous year. Average wait times at the Detroit-Windsor tunnel increased, and at the Blue Water Bridge, delays of at least one hour were experienced on 38 days last summer - the problem was so severe Ontario had portable toilets installed along Highway-402.

Immediate action is necessary to head off congestion that is stifling trade, increasing product cost, and adversely impacting the quality of life at our key ports-of-entry.

The impacts of increased border delays are myriad.

Just-in-time deliveries are unable to meet crucial deadlines. Companies have had to revert to warehousing inventory systems to ensure timely deliveries. Component parts of a vehicle produced in North America may cross the border seven times creating a competitive disadvantage with foreign competitors whose finished products cross the border only once.

Smog levels in border communities have increased because of the thousands of vehicles idling for hours in hot and humid conditions – impacting residents, and livestock in trucks during long wait times.

Tourism, hospitality, shopping and cultural activities have also been seriously affected.

Canada and the United States have a unique relationship characterized by common values, close community and border ties, integrated economic relationships, and a commitment to shared security and prosperity.

Legitimate travel and trade between our two countries is enormous: in 2006 there was almost 160 million cross-border visits (two-way) and US $710 billion in two-way trade in goods and services, which amounted to US$1.9 billion per day.

In conclusion, governments – federal, state and provincial – must continue to both heighten security and boost border trade. Canada, the U.S., and Mexico – Ontario, Michigan, New York State, and beyond – have some of the most deeply integrated economies in the world.