[Son Of SPP] Can-US Perimeter Declaration (Compilation Of Articles )

See also earlier posting on vivelecanada.ca
"Son Of SPP/ Stop Fortress NA - Leaked Docs Reveal
Border Security Deal"
Posted on Wednesday, December 15 at 07:40 by Janet M Eaton
http://www.vivelecanada.ca/article/235930904-son-of-spp--stop-
fortress-na-leaked-docs-reveal-border-security-deal

Overview of the Declaration:
The far-reaching concept of a security perimeter encircling Canada
and the U.S. - with shared border facilities manned by
interchangeable guards relying on high-tech information on both
countries´ travellers - was given the stamp of approval after a
meeting between Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama at the White
House.
The declaration on a joint perimeter is part of a wider vision of
enhanced bilateral cooperation that is intended to strengthen Canada-
U.S. anti-terrorism capability and reduce barriers to cross-border
trade that have worsened since Sept. 11, 2001.
The framework agreement has been under secret negotiation for
months. The project is laid out in a five-page declaration entitled
Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and
Economic Competitiveness.

According to the news items referenced below It will:

[] Set in motion an Action Plan

[] create a new agency called the United States-Canada Regulatory Co-
operation Council (RCC), composed of officials from both countries,
which would seek to streamline regulations governing product safety
and quality, making it easier to make goods in one country and sell
them in the other. Also referred to as creation of a new council to
sweep away outdated regulations that stifle trade and job creation.

[] commit to expanding management of the border to the concept of a
North American perimeter, not to replace or eliminate the border,
but, where possible, to streamline and decongest it,

[] offer better border security using better screening, new
technologies, and information sharing among law-enforcement agencies.
That also means ensuring a free flow of goods and people, keeping in
mind the president's goal of doubling U.S. exports.

[] be jointly managed by the Privy Council Office in Ottawa and the
National Security Council in Washington and will be expected to
submit recommendations in a matter of months.

[] determine ways [unspecified] "to promote trade and investment
from clean energy partnerships [and] the steps Canada can take to
strengthen intellectual property rights."

[] It envisions wide-ranging joint police, intelligence and border
operations .. the two countries will "work toward common technical
standards for the collection, transmission and matching of biometrics
that enable the sharing of information on travellers in real time

[] The two countries also agreed to pursue a range of measures to
streamline and improve border facilities and procedures to improve
bilateral trade.

[] Also envisioned are an integrated Canada-U.S. entry-exit system
based on the exchange of "relevant entry information" at land
borders; the enhancement of "integrated cross-border law enforcement
operations" including "cross-designated officers" and the development
of "joint facilities and programs within and beyond Canada and the
United States."

[] Both governments set up a committee of high-level officials to
work together to implement the agreement in coming months.

Harper also said he and the president had talked about a
controversial proposal to build a $7 billion pipeline to take
petroleum from Canada´s oil sands to refineries in Texas. Harper took
the opportunity to promote Canada as a source of energy for the U.S.

fyi-janet

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INDEX :

[1] UPDATE: Harper signs North American perimeter declaration at
White House Friday, February 4th, 2011 Council of Canadians
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=6274

[2] Globe and Mail Poll Feb 5th
Should Canada-US collaborate on a North American perimeter?
Friday, February 4th, 2011
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/breaking-down-borders-
canada-us-trade-and-security/article1893932/.
77 percent [no ]

[3] Integrated border proposal looms as key election issue
JOHN IBBITSON, BILL CURRY AND PAUL KORING
OTTAWA AND WASHINGTON- From Saturday's Globe and Mail
Published Friday, Feb. 04, 2011 8:30PM EST
Last updated Saturday, Feb. 05, 2011 12:13PM EST
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/integrated-border-
proposal-looms-as-key-election-issue/article1895710/

[4] Border talks 'not about sovereignty:' Harper
Canada and U.S. match up better than any countries on Earth: Obama
Last Updated: Friday, February 4, 2011 | 11:13 PM ET
Comments1606Recommend56CBC News
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2011/02/04/harper-
obama.html#ixzz1D8bTl0H8

[5] Border deal 'not about sovereignty,' Harper says
The Star February 4, 2011 19:02:00
Les Whittington, Ottawa Bureau
http://mobile.thestar.com/mobile/NEWS/article/933327

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