ARCHIVED - Public Safety Minister Toews and U.S. Secretary Napolitano further discussions on border security and cross-border trade
Archived Content
Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or record-keeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please contact us to request a format other than those available.
WINNIPEG, August 15, 2011 — Canada's Public Safety Minister, Vic Toews, and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, were in Winnipeg, Manitoba today to discuss the cooperation between Canada and the U.S. on border security and cross-border trade.
“Canada and the U.S. remain strongly committed to improving our shared border by addressing security threats at the earliest point possible and by supporting economic competitiveness, job creation and prosperity through improved cross-border trade,” said Minister Toews.
“We must stop individuals and transnational criminal organizations that seek to exploit the border shared by the United States and Canada to traffic drugs, arms and other illicit goods,” said Secretary Napolitano. “We will continue working closely with our Canadian partners through greater operational collaboration and intelligence sharing to strengthen the security of both our nations within, at, and away from our border.”
Today's meeting was also an opportunity to discuss progress being made on a joint action plan being developed following the Declaration on a Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness, announced by Prime Minister Harper and President Obama in February.
“Since the Declaration on a Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness was announced in February, officials from both countries have been hard at work developing a border action plan,” said Minister Toews. “The plan will set out a range of initiatives in four key areas of co-operation to promote security and support trade and economic growth.”
Minister Toews and Secretary Napolitano will meet again at the 12th Canada–U.S. Cross-Border Crime Forum Ministerial meeting being held in Ottawa later this year. The Forum is a joint effort of Public Safety Canada, the Department of Justice Canada, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It contributes to enhancing cooperation on key cross-border crime and security issues, with a particular focus on addressing a number of cross-border issues, including terrorism, organized crime, drugs trafficking, economic crime, prosecutions and others.
Information:
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
- Date modified: