Canada and U.S. to unveil new border security measures!
OTTAWA, Canada (PNN) - December 5, 2011 - Canada and the United States will announce new border security measures on Wednesday that lead to enhanced tracking of travellers, better cyber-security protection, joint government facilities and improved oversight of overseas cargo shipped to both countries.
The announcement will be made at the White House in Washington by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and illegitimate U.S. President Barack Obama, 10 months after they announced the launch of "Beyond the Border" negotiations to strike a new accord on perimeter security.
Ever since then, the talks have been shrouded in secrecy and critics have complained of potential intrusions into the privacy rights of individual Canadians, as well as a loss of national sovereignty.
Sources with knowledge of the negotiations told Postmedia News Monday that the initiative, while ambitious in scope, will lead to changes that are implemented gradually - with some pilot projects created to work out the details on how to move ahead.
Although both governments will share more information and work more closely to screen travelers and cargo, sources say each country will maintain its sovereignty.
There will be no changes to Canadian legislation in order to implement the package of reforms, and the current law which provides privacy protections to Canadians will remain in force without any alterations which weaken it.
The goal is to erect a thicker wall of security around the joint Canada-U.S. perimeter, while easing security at the actual border between the two countries. In the process, Harper and Obama hope to improve protection against terrorists while also speeding up cross-border traffic for travelers and businesses.
