Dana Gabriel, Contributor
Activist Post
The U.S. and Canada have made significant progress in advancing the
Beyond the Border deal and continue to implement various perimeter
security initiatives. Without much fanfare, they have signed an
immigration agreement that would allow them to share biographic and at a
later date, biometric information. As part of a North American
security perimeter, both countries are further harmonizing border
security and immigration measures.
Canada is further taking on U.S. security priorities and this could include a bigger role in the war on terrorism.
It’s been over a year since Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama announced the Beyond the Border and the Regulatory Cooperation Council action plans. On December 14, 2012, the U.S. and Canada issued the Beyond the Border implementation report
that highlights the objectives that were achieved over the past year
and the work that has yet to be done. It explained that moving forward,
“Key future initiatives include harmonizing our trusted trader
programs, making significant infrastructure investments at our key land
border crossings, fully implementing an entry/exit program at the land
border, expanding preclearance operations to the land, rail, and
marine domains.” The report also acknowledged challenges facing the
Next-Generation pilot project which would permit teams of
cross-designated officers to operate on both sides of the border. It was
originally scheduled to begin last summer. While steady progress has
been made, a lot more work is needed to meet the goals of the Beyond the
Border action plan. Over the next several years, other aspects of the
deal will be phased-in incrementally with specific deliverables due
this year, in 2014 and also in 2015.
Another important facet of the economic and security
perimeter agreement is the U.S.-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council
(RCC). A progress report
to the leaders outlines accomplishments made in aligning regulations
in the areas of agriculture and food, transportation, the environment,
health and personal care products, workplace chemicals, as well as
nanotechnology. This includes cooperation on pilot projects, scientific
and technical collaborations and harmonized testing procedures. RCC
working groups have developed detailed work plans
for the various initiatives with objectives that will be implemented
over the next couple of years. In Canada, some fear that deepening
regulatory integration with the U.S. could weaken and erode any
independent regulatory capacity. This could lead to a race to the bottom
with respect to regulatory standards.
In December of last year, the U.S. and Canada signed the Immigration Information Sharing Treaty
which is tied to the Beyond the Border deal. Citizenship, Immigration
and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney stated that the, “agreement
builds on our countries’ mutual efforts to protect our common borders
and the surrounding perimeter, through improved screening of immigrants
and visitors.” He went on to say, “Enhanced information sharing of
foreign nationals will protect the safety and security of Canadians by
helping us prevent terrorists, violent criminals, and others, who pose a
risk, from entering Canada or the United States.” Under the treaty,
Canada and the U.S. will share biographic information from third country
nationals who apply for a visa, a travel permit or claim asylum. In
2014, it will also include the sharing of biometric information. There
are privacy concerns on how far-reaching the data collected will be
shared. This threatens the sovereignty of Canada with regards to
retaining control over information at its own borders.
On December 28, 2012, President Obama signed into law, the Countering
Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act which is designed to curb Iran's
presence and activity in the region. The bill calls on the Department
of Homeland Security to work with Canada and Mexico, “to address
resources, technology, and infrastructure to create a secure United
States border and strengthen the ability of the United States and its
allies to prevent operatives from Iran, the IRGC, its Qods Force,
Hezbollah, or any other terrorist organization from entering the United
States.” Julie Carmichael, spokeswoman for Public Safety Minister Vic
Toews discussed Canada’s efforts to counter any perceived hostility
from Iran in the Americas. She is quoted in the Globe and Mail
as saying, “We continually assess threats while co-operating with
international partners, including the U.S., to address threats to our
common security.” Carmichael added, “The Beyond the Border Action Plan
as announced by Prime Minister Harper and President Obama provides a
framework to identify threats before they reach North America.” Under
the perimeter security deal, Canada is further aligning itself with U.S.
foreign policy interests and could be expected to play a greater role
in the global war on terror.
Through the Beyond the Border agreement, the U.S. and Canada are
deepening economic and security integration which is laying the
foundation for a North American security perimeter. Both countries are
also engaged in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations with Mexico
and other member nations. This is part of efforts to create a free trade
area of the Asia-Pacific and could be used to update and expand NAFTA.
Another key priority for U.S.-Canada relations is North America’s
energy future. President Obama is expected to make a final decision on
the Keystone XL pipeline sometime this year. Meanwhile, there is
growing environmental opposition to the proposed project which would
carry oil from western Canada to the Texas gulf coast.
Related articles by Dana Gabriel:
Merging U.S.-Canada Arctic Foreign Policy
U.S.-Canada Integrated Cybersecurity Agenda
Shaping the Future of North American Integration
Taking the U.S.-Canada Partnership to the Next Level
No comments:
Post a Comment