35th Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers

 

RESOLUTION 35-1

RESOLUTION IN FAVOUR OF CONCERTED MANAGEMENT OF
BORDER CROSSINGS AND PORTS OF ENTRY

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WHEREAS, the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG/ECP) supports concerted management of cross-border issues, with a view to reconciling security imperatives with the free flow of traffic at the Canada-U.S. border; and

WHEREAS, 200,000 persons cross the Canadian and U.S. border each day and commercial trade totalled $501.4 billion in 2010 between the two countries, including just over $20 billion between the Eastern Canadian provinces and New England states; and

WHEREAS, border crossings and ports of entry play a decisive role in border security, the secure entry of persons and goods, economic trade between Canada and the United States, and regardless of their size, these facilities contribute actively to relations between people and communities on both sides of the border between Eastern Canada and New England; and

WHEREAS, the Canada Border Services Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are responsible for managing border crossings and ports of entry and, in this capacity, implement measures that have an impact on trade, the free flow of traffic and the daily lives of citizens in border communities; and

WHEREAS, the NEG/ECP feels that greater collaboration between government players would help enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of border and port of entry infrastructure and service management; and

WHEREAS, on February 4, 2011,the Prime Minister of Canada and the President of the United States announced a shared vision for perimeter security and economic competitiveness, singling out trade facilitation, economic growth and jobs as one of the focus areas.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NEG/ECP urges the governments of Canada and the United States to strengthen their collaboration with a view to ensuring the coherence and complementary nature of their efforts in connection with border crossings and ports of entry, and the maintenance and integrity of an efficient infrastructure; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NEG/ECP urges the governments of Canada and the United States to consult them, in a spirit of partnership, before making decisions that could have a significant impact on the quality of the services offered and the communities located close to the border as well as those that depend on ports of entry; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NEG/ECP agrees to collaborate with their respective federal governments in order to find innovative solutions for facilitating border crossings and ports of entry for legitimate goods and persons, while ensuring the required level of security, within the framework of the work flowing from the shared vision on perimeter security and economic competitiveness; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT copies of this resolution be provided to the Minister of Public Security of Canada and the Secretary of Homeland Security of the United States.

Adopted at the 35th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers in Halifax, Nova Scotia, July 11, 2011.