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<html> <head> <meta name="Generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 8"> <title>JOINT STATEMENT BYTHE CANADIAN DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADEANDTHE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATEFURTHER TO THE RECENT VISIT BY PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON</title> </head> <body text="#000000" link="#0000ff" vlink="#551a8b" alink="#ff0000" bgcolor="#c0c0c0"> 99/52 JOINT STATEMENT BY THE CANADIAN DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE FURTHER TO THE RECENT VISIT BY PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON October 14, 1999 BORDER COOPERATION AND THE CANADA-U.S. PARTNERSHIP During their October 8 meeting in Ottawa, Prime Minister Chrétien and President Clinton congratulated Ministers and Heads of Agencies responsible for managing the border for the excellent progress since the announcement of the Shared Border Accord during the President's last visit to Ottawa in 1995. The work to date has been most encouraging and has demonstrated that both governments are committed to making the Canada-U.S. border a model of cooperation and efficiency. The President and Prime Minister confirmed guiding principles for Canada-U.S. border cooperation: 1. Streamline, harmonize and collaborate on border policies and management; 2. Expand cooperation to increase efficiencies in customs, immigration, law enforcement, and environmental protection at and beyond the border; and 3. Collaborate on common threats from outside Canada and the United States. The two leaders observed that the Foreign Affairs Minister and Secretary of State play a special role in facilitating the implementation of these principles. To this end, the Minister and Secretary have agreed to: 1. Consult with government agencies on progress in cross-border cooperation; 2. Promote high-level dialogue among federal, state/provincial/territorial and local authorities, border communities and stakeholders toward a common vision for border cooperation; 3. Identify emerging issues and long-term trends in border collaboration; and 4. Report on the state of the border, with input from government agencies, binational governmental groups and other stakeholders. The Foreign Affairs Minister and Secretary of State agreed to establish the Canada-U.S. Partnership (CUSP) under the direction of the Assistant Deputy Minister - Americas and Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs. The CUSP will convene periodic meetings, including in border communities, to carry out these tasks. -30- Backgrounder BORDER COOPERATION - CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION Recognizing that border management cannot be dealt with in isolation, Canada and the U.S. have increased co-operation in a number of areas. During the 1995 summit between Prime Minister Chrétien and President Clinton, Canada and the U.S. announced the Canada/United States of America Accord on our Shared Border. At their subsequent meeting in April 1997, the Prime Minister and the President announced a further set of initiatives with the United States to encourage the flow of people and goods across the Canada-U.S. border and protect health and safety. Also in 1997, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service (U.S. INS) began developing a strategic, regional approach to migration issues through their Border Vision process. Both countries are committed to the modernization of the shared border in order to facilitate legitimate trade and travel, improve compliance with the laws of both countries, and efficiently manage increasing volumes of trade and travel to reduce pressures on border resources and infrastructure. Guiding principles for the shared border in the 21st century include streamlining and harmonizing border policies and management, expanding co-operation at and beyond the border, and collaborating on common threats outside Canada and the United States. Examples of progress since 1997 are: Shared Border Accord: <ul> <li>extended hours of service and better border security at small border communities by the use of technology;</li> <li>increased efficiencies through the construction of joint and shared border facilities. Work is underway on four shared border facilities with another two under consideration;</li> <li>reduction of in-transit highway cargo inspections from 4 to 2, offering substantial savings to Canadian and U.S. trucking operations;</li> <li>passage of Canadian legislation to grant limited enforcement powers, on a reciprocal basis, to U.S. customs and immigration personnel at Canadian airport preclearance sites and plans to implement in-transit preclearance at other Canadian airports beyond the successful Vancouver pilot program;</li> <li>programs that speed up the entry of low-risk, pre-approved travellers arriving by air, highways and water (CANPASS in Canada; U.S. has several programs including PORTPASS). The two countries have recently agreed to develop a joint, harmonized highway pilot program to make border crossings streamlined and seamless to travellers in both countries, and to jointly evaluate the results;</li> </ul> <ul> <li>commitment by Revenue Canada and the U.S. Customs Service to develop and implement expedited commercial customs processes for legitimate trade. The processes being developed in the two countries will be jointly evaluated, taking into account the views of business, in order to foster the harmonization of the release of commercial goods at the border;</li> </ul> Border Vision <ul> <li>development of a joint regional migration approach that places a greater focus on the Canada-U.S. perimeter and dealing with problems before they reach the two countries;</li> <li>an information sharing agreement to facilitate the exchange of intelligence on illegal migration;</li> <li>systematic and regular sharing of information on known or suspected terrorists to ensure early detection;</li> <li>mapping trends in illegal migrant smuggling to both countries and using this information to develop strategies to prevent illegal migration;</li> <li>exchanging information on visa issuance practices and working toward coordination of visa exemption policies.</li> </ul> For further information on Shared Border Accord and Border Vision initiatives, please contact Michel Proulx, Media Relations, Revenue Customs Canada at 946-3461 and Huguette Shouldice, Media Relations, Citizenship and Immigration Canada at 941-7035. Backgrounder BORDER COOPERATION - ENVIRONMENT On April 7, 1997, during the Prime Minister's meeting with the President in Washington, a series of bilateral actions were announced to give Canadians and Americans a cleaner, healthier environment in the 21st century. Canada and the U.S. share an unparalleled environment, but also share the responsibility of wise stewardship and of cooperating to meet significant environmental challenges. The actions of April 1997 underlined the commitment of the two countries to make progress on key environmental issues: renewal of the International Joint Commission, transboundary air pollution, toxic substances in the Great Lakes, protection and recovery of endangered species, climate change, and environmental research and development. Two and a half years later, significant progress has been made. Renewal of the International Joint Commission: <ul> <li>In April 1997, Canada and the U.S. agreed to renew and make more effective use of the International Joint Commission (IJC) and requested the IJC to provide proposals on how it might best assist in meeting the environmental challenges we face in the next century.</li> <li>The IJC responded to the charge from governments with its October 1997 report, The IJC and the 21st Century, in which, inter alia, it recommended the establishment of international watershed boards along the border.</li> <li>In November 1998, the governments agreed on a reference asking the IJC to propose an international watershed board pilot project. The IJC is working toward recommending a location for the pilot project.</li> <li>Governments have given to the IJC two references of critical importance to Canada and the U.S.: in May 1997, to examine the causes of the catastrophic Red River flood and to recommend mitigation measures; and in February 1999, to study the effects of consumption, diversion, and removal of water, including for export, from boundary waters with a special focus on the Great Lakes, and report within six months.</li> <li>The IJC, in its January 1998 interim report on the Red River reference, made a series of recommendations to strengthen the mutual capacity for dealing with future crises in the Red River basin. Governments have acted on all of the recommendations. The final report, in two parts, is due in November 1999 and September 2000.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>In August 1999, the IJC released its interim report on the Protection of the Waters of the Great Lakes, which called for a moratorium on bulk water removals from the Great Lakes pending its final report in February 2000. The IJC concluded there was no surplus water in the Great Lakes system and that governments should adopt a precautionary approach to any proposals to remove water.</li> <li>This fall, the federal government will introduce amendments to the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act, which would prohibit bulk water removal from boundary waters, including the Great Lakes.</li> </ul> Transboundary Air Pollution: <ul> <li>Under the April 1997 Program to Develop a Joint Plan of Action for Addressing Transboundary Air Pollution, Canada and the U.S. committed to develop measures to address ground-level ozone and particulate matter, the two main components of smog.</li> <li>In April 1999, the Canadian and U.S. Governments decided to start negotiations of a new annex to the Air Quality Agreement to address ground-level ozone. This is a first step toward transborder smog management. The public announcement to launch negotiations took place on April 21 with the first negotiation scheduled for November. Completion of the new ozone annex is slated for 2000.</li> <li>In July, to support the domestic U.S. smog program, the Government of Canada took the unusual step of submitting a "friend of the court" or amicus curiae brief to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit where the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency smog program is being challenged. This is only the second time that Canada has intervened in U.S. courts on an air quality issue. </li> <li>Dealing with fine inhalable particles is another important health issue for Canadians. It is the second component of transboundary smog and the focus of joint Canada-U.S. work intended to lead to future consideration of bilateral negotiations.</li> </ul> Toxic Substances in the Great Lakes: <ul> <li>In April 1997, Canada and the U.S. signed the Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy which committed the two countries to virtually eliminate the releases of persistent, toxic substances in the Great Lakes.</li> <li>In 1998, Canada and the U.S., in concert with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, began implementation of the Strategy. Binational working groups have been formed and are performing the assessments and analyses required to achieve the reduction goals for the substances targeted by this Strategy. A variety of actions are now taking place at the federal, state, provincial and local levels, which will contribute to the achievement of Strategy goals. </li> </ul> <ul> <li>In terms of Canadian progress to date, a comprehensive audit of commercial pesticide use in Ontario has confirmed that there is no sale, commercial use, or importation of five priority toxic substances.</li> <li>The latest Canadian report on progress identifies that an overall reduction of 71 per cent has been achieved in the use, generation or release of seven additional priority toxic substances. As well, significant reductions have occurred in the use, release or generation of an additional five substances targeted for voluntary reduction.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>At the September IJC Biennial Forum, Canada and the U.S. released a draft Progress Report/Factsheet on the Strategy. In November 1999, Canada and the U.S. will release the Strategy's second annual Progress Report.</li> <li>In the spring of 2000, the two countries will co-host a workshop of experts to assess the contribution and significance of long range transport of toxic substances from world wide sources into the Great Lakes.</li> </ul> Protection and Recovery of Endangered Species: <ul> <li>Under the Framework of Cooperation for the Protection and Recovery of Wild Species at Risk, signed in April 1997, Canada and the U.S. committed to work together to prevent populations of shared wildlife species from becoming extinct as a consequence of human activity.</li> <li>There have been three meetings between the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (U.S. FWS). Extensive information is being shared on all aspects of endangered species conservation and Canada-U.S. recovery cooperation is underway for specific species (e.g. whooping crane, piping plover, burrowing owl, and others).</li> <li>CWS and U.S. FWS are discussing adopting a more ecosystem (continental) approach, rather than on a species-by-species basis.</li> <li>Canada and the U.S. are developing a progress report on work accomplished under the Framework, as part of an effort to solicit advice from other government agencies, NGOs and the public.</li> </ul> Climate Change: <ul> <li>In April 1997, Canada and the U.S. agreed to cooperate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Canada and the U.S. jointly hosted a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Forum in association with Globe 98 in Vancouver, British Columbia. The purpose of the forum was to raise awareness of greenhouse gas emissions trading opportunities for Canada and the U.S. and to explore innovative bilateral solutions to a range of issues such as public outreach and relations with developing countries.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>A number of high level bilateral exchanges have taken place to discuss ways of working together to use market mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Frequent and informal information sharing has taken place between experts in Canada and the U.S. on credit for early action proposals.</li> <li>Canada and the U.S. are working together through the Arctic Council on issues related to the effects of climate change and increased UV-B radiation in the Arctic region. </li> <li>Canada and the U.S. have exchanged information on the importance of public education and outreach on climate change. In April 1998 and June 1999, Canadian and U.S. officials met with government, non-government and industry representatives to share public education and outreach perspectives and plans to raise awareness and understanding and to improve messaging strategies on the issue of climate change.</li> </ul> Environmental Research and Development: <ul> <li>In April 1997, Canada and the U.S. signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the research, development, and demonstration of science and technology related to environmental protection. There was also agreement to seek closer cooperation on logistical support in Arctic research.</li> <li>Canada and the U.S. collaborate on an ongoing basis on bilateral research dealing with oil spills.</li> <li>Under the auspices of the Memorandum of Understanding, an information exchange partnering workshop was held in February 1999.</li> <li>Canada and the U.S. collaborated on a program that used instruments designed by Environment Canada to investigate for the first time ever the real-world emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and other pollutants from off-road construction equipment. The study compared the emission factors from the field study to those used for inventory and emission modelling applications.</li> <li>The two countries have signed a letter of agreement outlining the broad parameters for closer Arctic logistics cooperation. This will enable the two countries to communicate more effectively on respective Arctic operations in support of environmental and other research activities. Canada and the U.S. will seek opportunities for more formal agreements in the future.</li> </ul> For further information on Canada-U.S. environment initiatives, please contact Media Relations Office, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (613-995-1874) or Norm Naylor, Media Relations, Environment Canada (819-953-6901). Backgrounder BORDER COOPERATION - LAW ENFORCEMENT In April 1997, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and President Bill Clinton agreed to establish a bilateral consultative mechanism to address cross-border crime issues. The Cross-Border Crime Forum, lead by the Solicitor General of Canada and the Attorney General of the United States, held its first meeting in September, 1997 in Ottawa. Since then, the Forum held two other meetings in Washington (1998) and Charlottetown (1999). The Forum brings together over 60 officials from Canada and the U.S. on transnational crime problems such as smuggling, organized crime, telemarketing fraud, money laundering, missing and abducted children, crimes using computers and other emerging cross-border issues. Participants include Solicitor General, RCMP, Criminal Intelligence Service Canada, Citizenship and Immigration, Justice Canada, Revenue Canada Customs, provincial and local police and counterpart agencies from the U.S. It was originally created to tackle smuggling across the eastern regions of both countries. It has improved cooperation and information sharing between the two countries, which is a priority for both the Solicitor General and the U.S. Attorney General in the global fight against organized crime. Based on its past success and the increasingly transnational nature of crimes such as those involving computers, the Forum was expanded last year to include the entire Canada-U.S. border and include the participation of western region officials. Increasingly sophisticated, international crimes threaten our common safety and prosperity. To combat them, countries, governments and industry must work together in a coordinated approach to share information on crime syndicates to better derail their schemes on both sides of the border. For further information on the Cross Border Crime Forum and other Canada-U.S. bilateral law enforcement issues, please contact the Media Office at the Department of the Solicitor General at 991-2800. Backgrounder TAKING ACTION AGAINST CROSS-BORDER CRIME Since President Clinton's visit to Canada in April 1995, the Canadian government has taken significant action on transnational crime, including: <ul> <li>Canada and the U.S. established a Cross-Border Crime Forum in 1997 to improve cooperation and information sharing between our two countries. The Forum examines issues such as the impact of cross-border crimes, telemarketing fraud, money laundering, missing and abducted children, high-tech crime and other emerging issues. Since its creation, the Forum has held three annual meetings in Ottawa (1997), Washington (1998) and Charlottetown (1999).</li> <li>In April 1997, the Government passed legislative amendments to the Criminal Code (formerly Bill C-95), a package of anti-gang measures. The cornerstone of that legislation makes participation in a criminal organization an indictable offence, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.</li> <li>Since May 1997, Canada has had a new legislative framework for the control of drugs, the Controlled Drugs Substances Act (CDSA). This new Act has permitted Canada to modernize its approach to drug control. The CDSA provides specific permission for specialized innovative police techniques to investigate money laundering and drug investigations. These developments provide firmer support for Canada's enforcement efforts and, in particular, for undercover police investigations directed at high-level traffickers.</li> <li>The new Extradition Act received Royal Assent and came into force in June 1999. The legislation will simplify Canada's extradition procedures, making them more accessible to foreign states. It will also address newer crimes like telemarketing fraud and will accommodate changes arising from the globalization of criminal activity. The Bill also modifies the Criminal Code, the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act and the Canada Evidence Act, to allow for the use of video and audio-link technology to gather evidence and provide testimony from witnesses in Canada or abroad.</li> <li>Recent agreements between the RCMP and the U.S. law enforcement agencies to provide reciprocal direct access to each other's criminal databases, like the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC), a firearms identification database and a unique automotive paint chip database. </li> <li>A commitment of $115 million to the RCMP to modernize and enhance the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC), the computerized information system for Canadian law enforcement.</li> <li>Amendments to the federal Competition Act (Bill C-20) received Royal Assent in March 1999. The legislation created new offences relating to "deceptive telemarketing". A further amendment was included in Bill C-51 to define the new offences as "enterprise crime", bringing them within the scope of the Criminal Code scheme for seizure and forfeiture of proceeds. The amendment recognizes the seriousness of telemarketing offences, which can generate very large proceeds because of the large numbers of individual victims who can be targeted. Both bills were given Royal Assent on March 11, 1999.</li> <li>Amendments to the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA) to ensure that people convicted of offences related to organized crime are no longer eligible for Accelerated Parole Review.</li> <li>Introduction of legislation on May 31, 1999 to combat money laundering. Bill C-81 will create a mandatory reporting system for suspicious financial transactions and the cross-border movement of large amounts of currency. It will also establish a new independent body, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, which will receive and manage reported information.</li> <li>In June 1999, the federal government injected another $78 million over the next four years to renew the Anti-Smuggling Initiative (ASI). Introduced in 1994, the ASI provided resources for the RCMP, Justice and Revenue Canada to target smuggling and distribution networks at the border, in our ports, and across the country. This initiative was previously renewed in 1997, and has led to 17,000 smuggling-related charges resulting in fines in excess of $113 million, and $118 million in evaded taxes and duties has been identified.</li> <li>Thirteen Integrated Proceeds of Crime units were established by 1997. They combine the resources and expertise of RCMP, local and provincial police officers, Revenue Canada customs officers, Crown counsel and forensic accountants. These units target organized crime groups and seize their ill-gotten assets, over $110 million so far. To date, over $60 million in forfeitures and fines have been realized.</li> <li>Approximately $15 million per year for the RCMP to fight organized crime at Canada's three largest international airports - Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. The initiative will add 100 RCMP members to target organized criminals who use these airports as points of entry into Canada.</li> </ul> For further information on the Cross Border Crime Forum and other Canada-U.S. bilateral law enforcement issues, please contact the Media Office at the Department of the Solicitor General at 991-2800. Backgrounder CANADA-USA COOPERATION IN FIGHTING TERRORISM Canada and the USA coordinate anti-terrorist efforts through the Bilateral Consultative group on Counter-Terrorism (BCG), established in 1988. The BCG brings together on an annual basis representatives from agencies and departments in both governments involved in the fight against terrorism. In addition, inter-agency and inter-departmental cooperation goes on daily between law enforcement, security services, immigration authorities, and transport departments on both sides of the border to advance practical, on the ground cooperation. In June 1999 the BCG approved the Canada/USA Guidelines on Cooperation on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Counter- Terrorism, which will assist law enforcement and emergency measures authorities to respond to this new and potentially very destructive form of terrorist action. Internationally Canada and USA cooperate in the G8, OAS, UN and other fora to build a comprehensive international legal network to combat terrorism and to remove refuge for terrorists anyplace on the world. Both Canada and the USA have urged universal adherence to the eleven counter-terrorism conventions already agreed by the UN and support the negotiation of further anti-terrorist instruments, such as the Convention on the Suppression of Terrorist Financing. Canada and the United States have also advocated the adoption of practical anti-terrorist measures such as the G8's 25 practical recommendations of the Paris Ministerial of July 1996. For further information on Cooperation in Fighting Terrorism, please contact the Media Relations Office at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade at 995-1874. </body> </html>

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