Canada and US agree on joint action border plans

Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, is pleased to announce that Canada and the United States have agreed to implement two action plans designed to speed up legitimate trade and travel, improve security in North America, and align regulatory approaches between the two countries.

PHOTO CREDIT - GuyLauzon.ca

Ottawa - December 9, 2011 - Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, is pleased to announce that Canada and the United States have agreed to implement two action plans designed to speed up legitimate trade and travel, improve security in North America, and align regulatory approaches between the two countries.

“It’s a new agreement for a new era!,” said Lauzon, “I expect these agreements will increase cross-border trade which will fuel job creation.”

The Action Plan on Perimeter Security and Economic Competiveness focuses on four areas of cooperation: addressing threats early; facilitating trade, economic growth and jobs; integrating cross-border law enforcement; and improving critical infrastructure and cyber-security.

“Most significant for SD & SG residents, is that these agreements will eliminate unnecessary procedures that complicate border crossings,” said Lauzon, “this will reduce border crossing times for regular visitors to the U.S.”

The Action Plan on Regulatory Cooperation will help reduce barriers to trade, lower costs for consumers and business, and create economic opportunities on both sides of the border. It identifies 29 initiatives where Canada and the U.S. will align their regulatory approaches in the areas of agriculture and food, transportation, health and personal care products, chemical management, the environment, and other cross-sectoral areas, while not compromising our health, safety or environmental protection standards.

“This Action Plan on Regulatory Cooperation will make it easier for Canadian firms and manufacturers to do business on both sides of the border,” said Lauzon, “with billions of dollars of trade crossing the border each day, these new regulations will be boost our economy and create jobs.”

Detailed backgrounders on each area of cooperation and what the initiatives will mean are available at www.borderactionplan.gc.ca.