In the following excerpts, Canadians involved in the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) share their thoughts about the partnership and its role in making the continent safer and more competitive as well as improving the quality of life of North Americans:
International Trade Minister David Emerson, in a speech to the Council of the Americas in Washington, D.C., on May 2, 2007:
“Prosperity requires a vibrant business environment. Business relies on a free, secure and rules-based society. And prosperity provides the foundation for creating jobs, wealth and opportunity for our citizens. Through the Security and Prosperity Partnership initiative, through incremental improvements to NAFTA, and through the development of transportation and logistical improvements, we will create an even more efficient and open platform that will draw more business to—and through—North America.”
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Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, in remarks concluding the SPP Leaders’ Meeting in Cancun, Mexico, on March 31, 2006:
“Canada, the United States and Mexico are demonstrating a common will to tackle issues that are central to the quality of life of Canadians and all of our continent's citizens. We are making sure that we have smart borders that are both safe and productive; we're ensuring that Canadian business has a say in how we make our market more competitive; and we are discussing how to deal collectively with emergencies like pandemics, which have no regard for national frontiers.”
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Michael Wilson, the Ambassador of Canada to the United States, in a speech to the Calgary Chamber of Commerce on November 28, 2006:
“In order to remain ahead of the curve and continue to reap the rewards of trade and commerce, our nations must act in concert to build on our complementary agenda. An important first step in the framework that our nations agreed upon was the Security and Prosperity Partnership and the creation of the North American Competitiveness Council, and that includes the United States, Canada and Mexico.”
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Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day, addressing the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C., on January 18, 2007:
“We must have secure borders, but we must have the capability of prosperity. We can choke the borders. You can have the most secure borders in the world and not let anybody across, and of course that will do nothing. We would only be prisoners within our own countries, and it would do nothing for the overall economic gain of our citizens on both sides of the border.”
Gaëtan Lavertu, Ambassador of Canada to Mexico, in a speech to the Albany Club in Toronto on June 2, 2006:
“There is no doubt that the SPP has increased our institutional contacts and will help us achieve our vision of a stronger and more secure North America. Some efforts may take longer than others, but we are on the right track and have achieved significant results.”
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Industry Minister Maxime Bernier, in a media availability following meetings on the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America on June 15, 2006:
“The Security and Prosperity Partnership will help Canadian and North American businesses grow and thrive. It will give our three countries a more positive climate for global investment. And it will provide Canadians and North American citizens with a better quality of life. It will benefit everyone.”
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Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, speaking to the Canadian Association of New York City on May 24, 2006:
“This partnership protects us against terrorist threats and includes a border strategy that results in the fast, efficient and secure movement of low-risk trade and travellers to and within North America. Our government in our recent budget committed to making these much-needed security investments. We will ensure secure and efficient border crossings for low-risk travellers. We will arm our border officers and eliminate work-alone posts. And we will develop and implement an electronic advance notification system for road and rail cargo.”
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