5 October 2004

Ridge to discuss border bottlenecks

The following article is excerpted from the 4 October 2004 edition of the “Toronto Star”.

Reducing traffic bottlenecks at busy border points without sacrificing efforts to screen out terrorists will be a prime focus when U.S. Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge visits Ottawa next week.

Ridge and his Canadian counterpart, Public Safety Minister Anne McLellan, are meeting to discuss plans for a "next-generation" border accord that builds on the one devised after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

McLellan said today that the meeting, tentatively slated for Oct. 14, will highlight the challenges at "pressure points" along the 49th parallel, namely the busy Ontario crossings at Windsor and Fort Erie.

After 9-11, the federal government negotiated a 30-point border management agreement with the United States, dubbed the smart border accord, that deals with issues ranging from refugee determination to customs inspection. …

"I think it's important for people in this country to see Mr. Ridge and myself and our officials working well together," McLellan said….

"It's important for the business community to know that we want to keep the momentum and build the momentum around smart borders."

McLellan reminded the audience of security professionals that Canada and the U.S. do about $1.7 billion worth of business daily.

"It is important to you, it's important to me, to make sure there is that seamless flow of individuals and product across that border," she said.

"And Tom Ridge and I are very committed to doing everything we can to make sure that happens." …

The federal government has earmarked more than $8 billion for retooling the country's security and intelligence apparatus.

"But we still have a long way to go working together to deliver on that paramount responsibility of ensuring public safety and security," she said.

Earlier this year the government outlined a national security policy designed to protect Canadians, ensure Canada is not a base for terrorist operations and contribute to international security.

McLellan said she plans to issue annual statements spelling out progress on making the blueprint reality. …

Taking a cue from Washington, Canada appointed McLellan in December to oversee a remodelled public security ministry to deal with issues ranging from policing and prisons to terrorist threats and natural disasters.

She said she plans to talk with Ridge about how to help their sprawling departments work together on cross-border issues.