Time to Unclog a Plugged Border

By C.D. Howe Institute —— Bio and Archives September 15, 2010

Comments | Print This | Subscribe | Email Us

Preclearance of people and goods before they arrive at the Canada-US border is the best way to fix border problems while ensuring public safety, according to a study released today by the C.D. Howe Institute.

In “A Matter of Trust: Expanding the Preclearance of Commerce between Canada and the United States,” author Michael Hart notes the thickening of the Canada–US border in response to post 9/11 security challenges has created new obstacles to cross-border trade and investment. “Canadian and US officials need to pursue a bolder path if they want to preserve and enhance the advantages of the integrated Canada–US market,” argues Professor Hart. Preclearance has a track record of success where it has been applied, says Professor Hart, an eminent trade scholar at Carleton University. It has proven to be a cost-effective way to provide air travelers with an economical way to clear customs and immigration before entering the United States from Canada. EU members are satisfied that they have succeeded in guarding their security, while promoting an integrated single market, by relying on a perimeter approach to preclearance. Canada and the United States currently rely on preclearance for trusted traveler and shipper programs. Building on these successful models, Canada and the United States should proceed to designing and implementing ambitious programs that use preclearance to cost-effectively ensure a secure and economical border-crossing, for most travelers and shippers. Getting there, however, means a determined effort to get beyond conventional wisdom and bureaucratic silos, says Professor Hart, who makes suggestions to enhance and expand preclearance. He also recommends that the two governments each appoint a special envoy reporting directly to the President or the Prime Minister through the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Minister of Public Safety, with a mandate to develop a coherent program of land preclearance. The paper further argues for the creation of a joint, independent commission to provide the two governments with advice on implementation and other issues related to preclearance. For the study click here For more information contact: Michael Hart, Professor and Simon Reisman Chair in Trade Policy at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University; Michael_Hart@carleton.ca.