The U.S. & Canadian Smart Border Declaration

On December 12, 2001, John Manley, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Ad Hoc Cabinet Committee on Public Security and Anti-Terrorism, and Governor Tom Ridge, Director of the Office of Homeland Security in the United States, signed a declaration for the creation of a Smart Border for the 21st century between the United States and Canada.

The Smart Border Declaration outlines a plan of collaboration between the two countries in identifying and addressing possible security risks that may arise through the flow of people and goods across the Canada-U.S. border. The agreement is based on an action plan allowing for safe and efficient passage of people and goods through the border. The goal is to enhance technology, coordination and information sharing to safeguard the security of both countries while maintaining and strengthening the trading relationship between the U.S. and Canada.

The new plan’s objective include secure cards with biometric identifiers for permanent residents (“green card” holders), developing common biometric identifiers in documentation such NEXUS, and other travel documents to ensure greater security, reviewing respective visa waiver lists, developing a jointly automated immigration database, establishing complementary systems for commercial processing, including audit-based programs, and developing an integrated approach for processing truck, rail and marine cargo away from the border. To view the action plan and its new objectives in full please see attached PDF file.

  Action Plan for Creating a Secure and Smart Border (PDF/70 KB, 5 pages)