Border Security

While Canada and the United States share an expansive border, both countries cooperate on a daily basis to ensure that the border is secured, effective and protected. With more than $1.6 billion worth of trade flowing across the border each day, keeping the border open and secure is a national priority for both countries.

Given the importance of trade to our continued prosperity, our borders have to facilitate trade, travel and commerce, while protecting us from external threats. Budget 2008 is investing in initiatives to:

Ensure that the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has the resources it needs to deliver innovative border services given current economic realities and a new security environment.
Provide Canadians with access to better and more secure travel documents to cross international borders, particularly our border with the United States.
Ensure the integrity of Canada's immigration program so that our borders are secure and our communities are safe.
Enhance the security of the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway region.
Address obstacles to cross-border trade through the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America.

Quick Border Facts

1.6 billion dollars in trade per day
Canada-U.S. trade supports 7.1 million U.S. jobs
Each year over 160 million border crossings take place
Total bilateral trade is worth more than $489 billion a year

Canadian Agencies Securing the Border

Co-operating to Secure Our Common Border

Land

Integrated Border Enforcement Teams (IBETs)

IBETs are a prime example of Canada-U.S. law enforcement agencies working together to protect our common border. There are five key agencies involved in each IBET: the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada Border Services Agency, the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection/Border Patrol, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

23 integrated bi-national law enforcement teams strategically located along the 49th parallel and at the border between Alaska and the Yukon, share information on national security, organized crime and work with local, state and provincial law enforcement to secure the border.

To learn more, visit http://www.rcmp.ca/security/ibets_e.htm

Sea

Container Security Initiative

The Container Security Initiative (CSI) is a multinational program that protects the primary system of global trade - containerized shipping - from being exploited or disrupted by terrorists. It is designed to safeguard global maritime trade while allowing cargo containers to move faster and more efficiently through the supply chain at seaports worldwide.

Under the Smart Border Action Plan, Canada and the United States are working together to enhance the security of our shared border while facilitating the legitimate flow of people and goods. In an effort to further harmonize commercial processes, the CBSA has partnered with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the Container Security Initiative (CSI).

To learn more, visit http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/security-securite/csi-irsc-eng.html

Air

NORAD

Since 1958 Canada and the United States have worked together to secure the air approaches to North America. Following the events of 9/11, NORAD was also tasked with monitoring domestic North American aerospace. Under bi-national command and staffed by military personnel from both countries, NORAD stands ready to defend North America's skies.

Canadian Contribution to NORAD

1 Canadian Air Division composed of four fighter squadrons flying CF-18's
Underground complex at Canadian Forces Base North Bay
NORAD Region Headquarters at CFB Winnipeg
NORAD Deputy Commander

Secure Flow of People and Goods

NEXUS

NEXUS is a jointly administered, bi-national customs and immigration program for frequent travellers between Canada and the United States. The NEXUS program is designed to simplify border crossings for pre-approved, low-risk travellers and allows officers at the border to focus on higher risk persons.

FAST

The Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program is a joint Canada-United States initiative involving the Canada Border Services Agency and the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The program supports the movement of pre-approved eligible goods across the border quickly and the verification of trade compliance away from the border.

It is a commercial process offered to pre-approved importers, carriers, and registered drivers. Shipments for approved companies, transported by approved carriers using registered drivers, will be cleared into either country with greater speed and certainty, and at a reduced cost of compliance.

FAST participants must meet the requirements of Canada's Partners In Protection (PIP) program or the United States Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. Participating companies must adopt and implement security procedures to be compatible with guidelines set by both the CBSA and CBP.

To learn more, visit http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/fast-expres/menu-eng.html

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