Canadian ambassador urges cross-border cooperation

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January 25, 2008

By DAN HEATH The Press Republican Fri Jan 25, 2008, 07:50 AM EST

PLATTSBURGH -- Canada and the United States need to work together to achieve border security that also allows the continued free flow of goods and services.

So said Canadian Ambassador to the United States Michael Wilson, who thinks the major issue facing the two countries is to get border management right.

Canada and the United States are each other's most important trading partner, as $1 million in commercial transactions cross the border every minute, $1.6 billion every day, he noted Thursday in a visit to Plattsburgh State.

"The president and prime minister realize border-security issues must not kill the goose that lays the golden egg."

INTERTWINED TRADE

The North American Free Trade Agreement has been a key to increased trade between the two countries, he said. Canada is the No. 1 export market for 36 states, including New York, Wilson said.

Trade between the two countries is responsible for more than 700 million direct and indirect jobs, including about 500,000 in New York.

As trade has expanded freely across the border, more and more companies operate on both sides. Free flow of goods and services is crucial for those companies to operate efficiently, Wilson said.

"I regret to say the border is thickening."

PASSPORT RULE

Issues include a rule that will go into effect next Thursday that requires proof of identification, such as a driver's license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, to cross at land ports of entry.

Passports and other secure forms of identification, such as NEXUS or FAST cards, meet the requirement.

That rule again came under fire Thursday from U.S. Rep. John McHugh (R-Pierrepont Manor). He and 33 other representatives sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff that concludes: "We strongly urge you to continue accepting oral declarations and government-issued photo-identification cards as proof of citizenship until full implementation of WHTI."

Wilson said new rules at the border can have unintended consequences, such as delaying just-in-time deliveries of parts and components that help companies reduce warehousing costs. That can cause slowdowns or even shutdowns at manufacturing or assembly plants.

He said borders are best secured by identifying problems before they reach our shores. Since 9/11, Canada has spent $10 billion in new security programs, Wilson said, which is the equivalent of $100 billion, if you compare the two countries' populations.

Wilson spoke as part of the Plattsburgh State Center for the Study of Canada's distinguished Canadian address program, sponsored by The Development Corporation.

In welcoming remarks, Development Corporation President Adore Kurtz said, "We all understand that the economic and security interests of Canada and the United States are very closely aligned.

"For those of us in the room who live in the North Country, we also know that local economic vitality is inextricably linked with Canada."

CENTER CITED

Wilson acknowledged the importance of Canadian study centers and said about 80 colleges and universities offer Canadian content courses.

"One of the most energetic is right here at Plattsburgh State."

Center for the Study of Canada Director Christopher Kirkey said Wilson's visit was a nice recognition of the center.

"It is generally well-recognized at the embassy and Canadian consulates in the United States that our center is at the pinnacle of professional engagement on Canada."

dheath@pressrepublican.com