Perimeter security negotiations draw cautious praise

Reports that Canada is negotiating a “perimeter security agreement” with the US have drawn cautious optimism from some supply chain industry organizations.

“Essentially, it’s a good thing,” said Bob Ballantyne, president of the Canadian Industrial Transportation Association (CITA). “Anything that will facilitate trade is useful. Because the US is our biggest trading partner we depend on a healthy trade relationship with the Americans. If they have concerns about the security of goods moving from Canada—regardless of where those goods originated—it could have a negative impact on our trade.”

Ballantyne commented after reports the Canadian government was negotiating the potential perimeter security agreement with the US. A draft version of a declaration on a possible deal touches on several cross-border issues. These include:

•    an integrated cargo security strategy;
•    a joint approach to port and border security;
•    the sharing of information between law enforcement agencies; and
•    a closer working relationship between the two militaries in case of emergencies.

The document says the agreement could enhance Canadian and US security and “accelerate the legitimate flow of people and goods between our two countries.”

The Canadian Trucking Alliance said perimeter security was “a policy option not without its merits.” Ideally, the alliance said such an arrangement would streamline trade by shifting emphasis away from cross-border traffic and onto security at the point of arrival in Canada and the US.

“CTA has supported in theory the perimeter strategy,” said CTA vice-president of Customs Jennifer Fox. “Since 9/11 a number of programs have been put in place at the Canada-US border to identify low-risk goods, carriers and drivers and we encourage alignment between the Canadian and US border programs.”

Joy Nott, president of the Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters, said a secure perimeter strategy was “a good idea.” She said the strategy would hopefully lead to a simplification of cross-border trade and a review of trusted trader programs.

“We’re cautiously optimistic,” Nott said. “Our hope would be that while they talk about what perimeter security would mean—and I’m sure they’re taking great strides to define it—I hope they don’t forget to address how things would change on the cross-border, Canada-US front.”