ARCHIVED - Canada's Minister of Public Safety announces the release of Canada–U.S. report to support enhanced border security

OTTAWA, March 10, 2011 — The Honourable Vic Toews, Canada's Minister of Public Safety, today announced the release of the United States–Canada Joint Border Threat and Risk Assessment. The report helps enhance our understanding of common threats and risks in the areas of national security, criminal enterprises, migration, agriculture and health at our shared border.

“The Government of Canada is committed to a safe, secure and efficient border. This is vital to Canada's economy and to the safety and security of all Canadians,” said Minister Toews. “Canada and the U.S. are working closely to ensure that our shared border remains open to the legitimate movement of people and goods, and closed to those who would do either country harm.”

“The United States and Canada have a long history of productive collaboration,” said U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Janet Napolitano. “The Joint Border Threat and Risk Assessment reflects our ongoing commitment to enhancing security along our shared border while facilitating legitimate travel and trade that is critical to the economies of both countries.”

This joint initiative strongly supports the Canada–U.S. Declaration on a Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness announced last month. The Declaration will lead to the accelerated legitimate flows of people and goods between Canada and the U.S, while strengthening our physical security and economic competitiveness.

Other examples of Canada–U.S. cooperation include:

• The Framework Agreement on Integrated Cross-Border Maritime Law Enforcement Operations will enhance security on both sides of the border by providing the tools needed to reduce smuggling and trafficking of illegal drugs, tobacco, guns and people.
• Integrated Border Enforcement Teams (IBETs) are multi-agency teams that identify, investigate and stop threats to national security and deter organized criminal activity along the shared border, between the ports of entry.
• A Memorandum of Understanding on Cross Border Currency Seizure Information Sharing that will help to identify potential threats and assist in money-laundering and terrorist-financing investigations and prosecutions.

The United States–Canada Joint Border Threat and Risk Assessment is available on: http://publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/archive-us-cnd-jnt-thrt-rsk/index-eng.aspx.

Information:

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657

Date modified:

2015-12-02