Traveller Security: Develop and implement consistent outcomes with compatible processes for screening prior to departure from a foreign port and at the first port of entry to North America

Initiative

Key Milestones

Status

Develop and implement equivalent biometric standards and systems to enhance security for passports, visas, permanent resident cards, transportation credentials and other border documents.

Test technology and develop recommendations within 12 months (June 2006) to enhance the use of biometrics in screening travellers destined to North America, with a view to developing compatible biometric border and immigration systems.

US-CN: Partially Completed, Finished Fall 2006
US-MX: Initiated

Develop standards for lower-cost secure proof of status and nationality documents to facilitate cross-border travel, and work to achieve optimal production before January 1, 2008.

On track

With a view to achieving compatible standards across all relevant transportation programs, develop a strategy to coordinate background checks, credential recognition and document security standards within 36 months (June 2008).

On track

Devise a single, integrated, global enrolment program for North American trusted travellers (e.g. NEXUS, FAST, SENTRI) for travel by air, land and sea within 36 months (June 2008).

Initiated

Negotiate a Canada-U.S. visa information-sharing agreement within 18 months (December 2006).

Initiated

Develop and implement compatible immigration security measures to enhance North American security, including requirements for admission and length of stay; visa decision-making standards; lookout systems; and examining the feasibility of entry and exit procedures and systems.

Develop benchmarks related to procedures and policies for visitor visa processing, including security screening, visa validity, and length of stay within 9 months (March 2006).

US-CN: Completed / Ongoing
US-MX: Initiated

Direct and institutionalize consultation among consular and visa security officials of Canada, the United States and Mexico within 9 months (March 2006).

Partially Completed, Finished in Fall 2006

Coordinate the deployment of Canadian and U.S. immigration officers overseas to enhance efforts to disrupt illegal migration trends destined to North America within 21 months (March 2007).

On track

Develop a reciprocal mechanism to inform visa-free travel program country reviews within 12 months (June 2006).

On track

Work to ensure compatibility of systems to share data on high-risk travellers and examine the feasibility of a real-time information-sharing program on high-risk travellers to provide for risk management decisions on travellers destined to or transiting North America.

Finalize protocols and implementation of data exchanges on high-risk travellers using compatible advance passenger information systems within 12 months (June 2006).

On track

Canada and the United States to explore the feasibility of a process within 12 months (June 2006) that can make risk management decisions (board/no board) about travellers destined to or transiting through North America.

Delayed

Developing compatible criteria for the posting of lookouts of suspected terrorists and criminals within 9 months (March 2006).

US- CN: Initiated

1. US-MX: Delayed

Cargo Security: Develop and implement compatible screening methods for goods and cargo prior to departure from a foreign port and at the first point of entry to North America

Initiative

Key Milestones

Status

Develop and expand upon our joint public-private partnerships to secure the supply chain of goods arriving in North America, and to expedite the movement of low-risk goods within North America.

Develop targets to increase percentage of FAST/Expres shipments at agreed upon FAST/Expres locations, including joint marketing activities within 12 months (June 2006) and annually thereafter.

On track

Make compatible U.S.-Canada requirements for participation in Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and Partnership in Protection (PIP) within 36 months (June 2008).

On track

Develop compatible standards, technologies and processes for intermodal supply chain security that emphasize risk management, a layered approach to supply chain security, and the expedited movement of low-risk commerce.

Evaluate within 6 months (December 2005) and seek to expand within 18 months (December 2006) the use of E-manifest.

On track

Develop recommendations for compatible risk targeting and inspection regimes for cargo arriving by air, land and sea within 18 months (December 2006).

On track

Within 6 months (December 2005), initiate a five-year Canada-U.S. program to work toward harmonization of automated commercial information systems, including advance interdepartmental reporting and the “single window” concept for other government departments’ and agencies’ requirements.

Completed

Develop and implement a U.S.-Mexico cargo initiative that includes the implementation of the 24-hour rule, exchange of cargo manifest data, and joint security targeting.

On track

Develop appropriate linkages, including officer exchanges among Canadian, Mexican and U.S. customs agencies, to ensure analysis of cargo data and appropriate sharing of information on high-risk shipments.

1. Initiated

Within 18 months of adoption (December 2007), promote the implementation of the World Customs Organization Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade through capacity building and technical assistance for lesser developed customs administrations.

Completed / Ongoing

Ensure compatible national and international export control systems and ensure that North American countries are not used to divert sensitive American, Canadian or Mexican goods or technologies to mutually agreed upon prohibited countries or end-users.

Establish a formal mechanism for ongoing dialogue on dual-use export control issues, including export control standards within 12 months (June 2006).

Completed

Develop a plan to enhance export control compliance outreach within 12 months (June 2006).

US-CN: Completed
US-MX: Delayed

Assess options to make more compatible U.S. and Canadian export controls including issues of fraudulent transshipment or illicit diversion of “controlled” goods within 21 months (March 2007).

On track

U.S. and Mexico will develop and implement a system within 9 months (March 2006) to identify subject goods through their mechanism to exchange/cross-check data on southbound and northbound shipments.

1. Initiated

Develop and phase in a plan to control the import and export of nuclear and radioactive materials consistent with IAEA radioactive source guidelines.

Within 18 months, Implement import-export controls on radioactive sources including notification on cross-border transfers, ensuring that these materials are used for peaceful purposes only (U.S.-Canada to implement consistent with G-8 commitments). (December 2006)

On track

Over the next 36 months, complete installation of radiation detection equipment at major commercial and passenger ports of entry into North America to prevent the smuggling of nuclear/radiological materials.  (June 2008)  

Initiated

Bioprotection: Develop and implement a North American bioprotection strategy to assess, prevent, protect, detect and respond to intentional as well as applicable naturally occurring threats to public health and the food and agriculture system

Initiative

Key Milestones

Status

Undertake joint threat and vulnerability assessments and joint exercises within the public health and the food and agriculture systems.

Within 30 months (December 2007), share current threat and vulnerability assessment methodology and overview information for the food and agriculture systems, and undertake joint threat and vulnerability assessments where there are gaps or areas where improvement or greater clarity are required.

On track

Through ongoing testing and exercises, implement within 18 months (December 2006) Continuity of Operation plans for infectious disease control and containment.

On track

Draft and sign protocols for mutual assistance and coordination in a cross-border emergency.

Draft and sign protocols for mutual assistance and support within 24 months (June 2007)  to maximize our abilities to respond to cross-border public health emergencies by providing a framework for the orderly deployment of emergency assistance.

On track

Share plans within 9 months (March 2006) for isolation and quarantine during a transborder infectious disease outbreak.

US-CN: Full implementation delayed to Fall 2006
US-MX: Completed

Within 12 months (June 2006), examine the feasibility of a tracking and control system for monitoring the movement of dangerous human pathogens within North America.

Delayed

Within 9 months (March 2006), adopt a common position on guidance to international transport organizations regarding the transport of diagnostic materials and samples.

Full implementation delayed to June 2007

Share strategies for the stockpiling and distribution of human and animal countermeasures.

Within 6 months (December 2005), complete evaluation of the number of animal vaccine doses our countries should stockpile.

Delayed to December 2007

Work cooperatively within multilateral health forums to finalize operational frameworks and the implementation of global smallpox vaccine reserves within 9 months (March 2006).

Completed

Work in a coordinated fashion to implement a regime to identify, assess and mitigate the risk of intentional threats to our animals, plants and food products into and within North America.

Within 24 months (June 2007), develop a coordinated strategy to identify and manage threats to our food supply and agricultural sectors, building upon successful customs processes and consistent with each country’s legislation;

On track

And, within 9 months (March 2006), share approaches to determining risk from imported foods.

Delayed to June 2007

Develop information-sharing agreements on enforcement activities and emergencies.

Within 24 months (June 2007), identify and address impediments to information exchanges.

On track

Within 9 months (March 2006), develop mechanisms and criteria to provide early notification of recalls of products that may pose health risks.

Completed

Within 24 months (June 2007), improve trilateral procedures to share information in a timely fashion during food and agriculture emergencies.

On track

Plan and test binational infrastructure for 24/7/365 early warning case reporting. 

On track

Enhance human, animal, and plant health surveillance by developing interoperable systems to rapidly detect and monitor infectious diseases in these populations.

Within 9 months (March 2006), launch a workshop on cross-border early warning infectious disease surveillance to share solutions to common problems and exchange best practices.

Delayed to June 2007

Within 12 months (June 2006), develop a North American plan to address pandemic influenza.

Full implementation delayed to Fall 2006

Exchange information regarding research and evaluation of pandemic influenza clinical trials within 12 months (June 2006).

On track

Enhance public health surveillance research by linking public health laboratories within North America and with food and agriculture laboratory networks.

Within 6 months, assess current laboratory infrastructure for electronic data-sharing capabilities.

Completed

Enhance communication and cooperation among the three countries’ laboratories within 21 months.

On track

Explore protocols toward creating early warning infectious disease surveillance systems that are interoperable along and across our shared borders within 24 months.

On track

Aviation Security: Develop and implement a strategy to establish equivalent approaches to aviation security for North America

Initiative

Key Milestones

Status

Develop, test, evaluate and implement a plan to establish comparable aviation passenger screening, and the screening of baggage and air cargo.

Conclude a trilateral memorandum of cooperation within 12 months (June 2006) to formalize the role of the North American Aviation Trilateral (NAAT) in achieving the trilateral civil aviation security goals in the Security and Prosperity Partnership.

On track

Develop comparable operational procedures and training standards for government law enforcement officers acting in the capacity of In-Flight Security Officers in North America within 6 months (December 2005).

On track

Within 36 months (June 2008), improve the security of cargo transported on passenger and cargo aircraft through comparable screening and inspection protocols for inbound and outbound goods, and explore implementing an interoperable Known Shippers Data Base.

On track

Develop comparable standards and procedures within 24 months (June 2007) for hold baggage screening.

On track

Develop comparable standards and procedures within 24 months (June 2007) for passenger screening to increase aviation security.

On track

For aviation security purposes, each country has developed, is developing or may develop its own passenger assessment (no-fly) program for use on flights within, to or from that country to ensure that persons who pose a threat to aviation are monitored or denied boarding, within 24 months (June 2007).

On track

Maritime Security: Develop and implement a strategy to enhance North American maritime transportation and port security

Initiative

Key Milestones

Status

Collaborate in the enhancement of security of our ports and vessels through the conduct of equivalent threat, vulnerability and risk assessments and mutually recognized audit programs.

Develop strategies for information sharing to create effective vessel and port facility security measures and harmonize their implementation within 9 months (March 2006).

US-CN: Completed
US-MX: Partially Completed

Develop compatible strategies for the implementation of the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code and corresponding national regulations for security of offshore and at-sea infrastructure within 21 months (March 2007).

On track

Develop a port and facility security audit program to benchmark security standards of North American and international facilities as well as for vessels that receive or carry international shipping within 9 months (March 2006).

Completed (visits)

Create a coordinating capability within 33 months (March 2008) to respond to maritime incidents and minimize the impact on maritime commerce.

On track

Develop and implement a plan to make compatible regulatory and operational maritime security regimes.

Identify improvements to national and international regulatory frameworks within 21 months (March 2007) to enhance the security of the maritime transportation system, and develop a coordinated strategy to maintain and expand compatible national regulatory regimes and programs for private, commercial, pleasure and fishing vessels.

On track

Implement strategies for long-range tracking of vessels and enhanced coastal tracking of small vessels on international voyages within 33 months (March 2008).

On track

Develop strategies for enhanced coordination of global maritime security intelligence efforts within 24 months (June 2007).

On track

Develop a collaborative approach within 12 months (June 2006) in dealing with each country’s flag vessels calling at one of the other countries’ ports.

On track

Law Enforcement Cooperation: Develop and implement a strategy for combatting transnational threats to the United States, Canada and Mexico

Initiative

Key Milestones

Status

Improve information sharing and law enforcement cooperation among investigators and prosecutors to address illegal activities between ports of entry and cross-border organized crime, counterfeit goods, economic crimes, and trafficking of alcohol, firearms, illegal drugs and explosives.

Identify recommendations within 21 months (March 2007) to address significant legal restrictions to the sharing of investigative information.

On track

Undertake coordinated law enforcement efforts and improve information sharing to address financial crime and trade transparency within 24 months (June 2007).

On track

Evaluate the co-location of Canada-U.S. Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET) analysts in four pilot sites within 12 months (June 2006).

On track

Continue vigorous U.S. and Mexican cooperation among immigration and fugitive arrest authorities as appropriate. Utilize the U.S.-Mexican Temporary Extradition Protocol for fugitives sought for prosecution in both jurisdictions within 21 months (March 2007).

On track

Within 24 months (June 2007), assess the threat and risk of criminal and terrorist activities on the St. Lawrence Seaway – Great Lakes systems and develop coordinated maritime law enforcement programs with a specific interest in interdicting smugglers/traffickers and ensuring border security.

On track

Within 18 months (December 2006), form Mexico-U.S. intelligence-sharing task force pilots to target cross-border criminal activity, in particular criminal gang and trafficking organization networks.

On track

Within 18 months (December 2006), enhance the international liaison officer network to facilitate intelligence sharing and analysis, and to assist competent authorities in criminal and security investigations.

On track

Within 3 months (September 2005), agree to seven specific Mexico-U.S. programs for the exchange of information to enable the detection and dismantling of criminal organizations engaged in sexual or labour exploitation, especially of children or women.

 Partially completed

Within 18 months (December 2006), develop mutually supportive law enforcement mechanisms that lead to the rapid identification and successful prosecution of cyber-attackers.

On track

Review existing counter-terrorism efforts and coordination to maximize effectiveness, including analyzing past counter-terrorism investigations to identify best practices and lessons learned.

Develop a comprehensive trilateral law enforcement strategy within 12 months (June 2006) to respond to any transnational terrorist incident in North America.

Initiated

Enhance cooperation on terrorist financing, seeking to complete ratification of the OAS Convention Against Terrorism within 18 months (December 2006).

Completed / Ongoing

Cooperate on issues of detention and removals to expedite the return of illegal migrants to their home countries.

Cooperate in obtaining travel documents from uncooperative countries for the return of their nationals.

On track

Renegotiate the U.S.-Canada Reciprocal Agreement for the Exchange of Deportees within 18 months (December 2006).

Delayed

Expand Canada-U.S. joint removals operations.

On track

Intelligence Cooperation: Enhance partnerships on intelligence related to North American security

Initiative

Key Milestones

Status

Enhance our capacity to combat terrorism through the appropriate sharing of terrorist watchlist data and the establishment of appropriate linkages between Canada, the United States and Mexico.

The three countries will negotiate bilateral terrorist screening information-sharing agreements.

On track

Explore means to address and resolve gaps in cross-border information-sharing channels.

On track

Conduct joint analyses of the nature and scope of the terrorist threat to North America, to include the identification of areas of mutual concern and interdependency for analytical consideration within 9 months (March 2006).

US-CN: Completed / Ongoing
US-MX: Initiated

Protection, Prevention and Response: Develop and implement a common approach to critical infrastructure protection and response to cross-border terrorist incidents and, as applicable, natural disasters

Initiative

Key Milestones

Status

Develop and implement compatible protective and response strategies and programs for shared critical infrastructure in mutually agreed priority areas (i.e. electricity generation and distribution, oil and gas pipelines, dams, telecommunications, transportation, nuclear, radiological, defence industrial base, and cyber systems).

Within 18 months (December 2006), develop vulnerability assessment procedures and methodologies that are mutually acceptable.

On track

Over the next two years, prioritize critical infrastructure assets requiring vulnerability assessments, identify resources and begin conducting coordinated assessments.

On track

Facilitate among governments and critical infrastructure operators the sharing of best practices.

Completed / Ongoing

Develop and implement joint plans for cooperation on incident response, and conduct joint training and exercises in emergency response.

Initiate planning within 6 months (December 2005) for a preparedness exercise to be conducted in advance of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver/Whistler.

Completed / Ongoing

Develop a plan within 12 months (June 2006) to strengthen mechanisms for communicating and coordinating emergency response, including protocols for mutual assistance and cooperation in the event of natural and technological/industrial disasters or malicious acts.

Initiated

Within 12 months (June 2006), participate in coordinated joint training and exercise programs leading to full-scale exercises.

US-CN: On track
US-MX: Delayed

Within 12 months (June 2006), develop an interoperable communication system to ensure appropriate coordination for Canada, U.S. and Mexico involving cross-border incident management.

Initiated

Within 12 months (June 2006), develop coordinated business resumption protocols at the border in the event of a disaster and/or an increased alert level.

US-CN: On track
US-MX:  Initiated

Improve coordination of efforts in regional and multilateral forums within 18 months (December 2006) to strengthen incident response goals in cyber-security.

On track

Share plans within 6 months (December 2005) to communicate with private transportation interests to provide timely updates in the event of incidents.

Completed / Ongoing

Border Facilitation: build capacity and improve the legitimate flow of people and cargo at ports of entry within North America

Initiative

Key Milestones

Status

Improve the efficiency of existing border infrastructure and reduce transit times by expanding low-risk facilitation programs such as NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST.
Work with the private sector, states and provinces, as well as local governments, to develop new border capacity to meet long-term demand.

Expand the SENTRI program to San Ysidro (CA) / Tijuana; Calexico (CA) / Mexicali (BC); Nogales (AZ) / Nogales (SON); El Paso (TX) / Cd. Juarez (CHIH); Laredo (TX) / Nuevo Laredo (SON); Brownsville (TX) / Matamoros (TAMPS) within 12 months (June 2006).

On track

Expand FAST sites to priority border crossings at Santa Teresa (NM) / Cd. Juarez (CHIH); Rio Grande City (TX) / Camargo (TAMPS); Tecate CA) / Tecate (BC); Douglas (AZ) / Agua Prieta (SON); San Luis (AZ) / San Luis Rio Colorado (SON); Eagle Pass (TX) / Piedras Negras (COAH); and Del Rio (TX) / Cd. Acuna (COAH) within 6 months (December 2005).

On track

Develop a plan within 6 months (December 2005) for the expansion of the Vancouver NEXUS-Air pilot within North America, and;

On track

Examine the feasibility of expanding the eligibility for NEXUS-Air to include Mexican nationals.

Delayed

In partnership with stakeholders, reduce transit times by 25% at the Windsor-Detroit gateway within 6 months (December 2005), and;

Completed

Explore expanding the 25% Challenge to other North American land border crossings within 18 months (December 2006).

On track

Complete negotiations of a formal Canada-U.S. land preclearance agreement within 6 months (December 2005), with implementation of two land preclearance pilots, contingent on legislative amendments.

Initiated, Negotiations Completed by Fall 2006

Assess the feasibility of further streamlining FAST processing at ports of entry (“green lanes”) within 18 months (December 2006).

Delayed

Develop and deploy an accurate system for measuring and reporting border transit times within 36 months (June 2008).

US-CN: Initiated
US-MX: On track

Convert SENTRI lanes to NEXUS lanes at U.S.-Mexico border ports of entry within 18 months (December 2006).

Partially Completed

Complete a review of our transportation and border facility needs and identify priorities within 24 months (June 2007), and;

On track

Then, in partnership with state and provincial partners, develop an implementation plan to prioritize future infrastructure investments by 2008.

On track

Work with the private sector, states and provinces, as well as local governments, to construct new border infrastructure to meet long-term demand, to include building a low-risk port of entry to expedite the secure movement of cargo across the border.

Begin construction of additional FAST/Expres lanes in Nogales, AZ – Nogales, SON within 6 months (December 2005).

On track

Within 24 months (June 2007), investigate the feasibility of a pilot program to convert an existing port of entry in Texas to the exclusive use of low-risk cargo and passengers, as well as consider building a new low-risk port of entry pilot at Otay Mesa.

On track

Within 12 months (June 2006), complete feasibility study of extending FAST/Expres to air and sea modes to provide expedited security processing at the first port of entry into North America of identified low-risk shipments.

Delayed

Science and Technology Cooperation: Identify, develop and deploy new technologies to advance our shared security goals and promote the legitimate flow of people and goods across our borders

Initiative

Key Milestones

Status

Continue incorporating hi-tech equipment along the U.S.-Mexico border for the efficient and secure flow of people and goods, and continue identifying appropriate sites for its deployment.

Identify and assess possible technology-based solutions for tightening border security and facilitating low-risk travel at North America’s external border.

On track

Hold a workshop on the topic of agricultural terrorism addressing issues including food security across borders and research associated with foreign animal disease (e.g. foot and mouth disease).

Delayed

Establish a joint research and development program for security-related science and technology based on priorities established through a coordinated risk assessment.

Through the Canada-U.S. Public Security Technical Program (PSTP), cooperate in public safety-related research, development, testing, evaluation and deployment of technologies.

On track

Approve and implement cooperative projects that address prioritized technology gaps for border security, biosecurity, critical infrastructure protection and counter-terrorism.

On track