On Feb. 4, 2011 President Obama and Prime Minister Harper made a joint declaration to improve border efficiency and regulatory cooperation. The announcement made on Dec. 7, 2011 is the first step in realizing this goal. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has been a vocal advocate of greater regulatory cooperation and border efficiency with the United States. This partnership will strengthen the economic and physical security of both countries and facilitate the flow of legitimate people and goods across the border.

What We Got for You
This action plan addresses many long-standing issues identified by the Canadian Chamber as critical to health of the North American economy, including:

• The harmonization of inbound cargo screening
• The mutual recognition of passenger baggage screening for air mode 
• The mutual recognition of air cargo screening with the goal of eliminating rescreening
• The expansion of the NEXUS program with increased benefits to program participants
• A common set of data elements for all modes of transport for advanced security screening
• A common set of data elements for in-transit and in-bond shipments
• The harmonization of PIP and C-TPAT and new benefits including the extension of FAST benefits to program participants by mid 2012
• Expanded preclearance operations, including full preclearance operations at Massena, N.Y.
• A one year pilot program run by CFIA and APHIS for certain meat products
• A commitment to negotiate by December 2012, a preclearance agreement for land, rail and marine modes
• A commitment to develop solutions to operational impediments to US CBP officers conducting preclearance at Canadian airports
• A common framework for trusted trader programs with expanded benefits for program participants
• Enhanced guidance and training for border agents
• The electronic reporting of customs requirements through a single window for all participating government departments and agencies by 2013
• The harmonization of low-value shipment processes to expedite customs administration
• The creation of a Border Infrastructure Investment Plan
• The development of a full inventory of border fees to better understand their economic impact and costs to the supply chain
• A commitment for better traffic management during border disruptions
• The alignment of regulations in key sectors, including transportation, agri-food and the environment.

What this means for Canadian business
Improving the functionality of the border will make North Americans more secure by focusing our limited security resources where they are most need. It will also improve the predictability of the border in terms of wait times, inspections, fees, service commitments and standards. Finally, better management of the border facilitates the movement of legitimate people and goods. A new, more modern and effective border policy will improve the competitiveness of North American businesses.