Minister Blaney tables Canada-United States preclearance agreement in Parliament

Beyond the Border Action Plan commitment to create economic benefits for Canadians

OTTAWA, April 22, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, Canada's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Steven Blaney, tabled in Parliament the signed Agreement on Land, Rail, Marine and Air Transport Preclearance between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America. Minister Blaney and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, signed the agreement in Washington on March 16, 2015.

When it takes effect, the new agreement will provide a legal framework for the establishment of new preclearance operations in any of the four modes of transportation – in either Canada or the U.S. It will replace the existing Air Transport Preclearance Agreement, signed in 2001, and will make an important contribution towards improving the flow of legitimate trade and travel. The Agreement will allow existing air preclearance operations to continue, as well as allow the market to propose new operations when and where they make sense – facilitating trade, travel, and creating economic benefits for Canadians.

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"Tabling this agreement today further demonstrates tangible progress Canada is making in delivering on the commitments of the Beyond the Border Action Plan – supporting border security, trade and long-term prosperity. The agreement will enable the private sector to propose preclearance operations that will ease border congestion and create more economic opportunities for Canadians."

– The Honourable Steven Blaney, Canada's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Associated Links

• Canada and the United States sign historic preclearance agreement
• Agreement on Air Transport Preclearance between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America (signed in January 2001)
• Canada and the United States announce Truck Cargo Pilot
• Canada and the United States announce Phase II of Truck Cargo Pre-inspection Pilot

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SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

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