CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Atlantic Canada carriers can now obtain financial assistance to apply for government sanctioned border security programs like FAST (Free and Secure Trade) and C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism).

The help is the brainchild of the Atlantic Canada Food Export Partnership and the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association. The two groups have obtained funding to the tune of up to $3,000 per carrier for the project from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

“Through the funding assistance provided by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the costs to the company to prepare their C-TPAT application will be significantly reduced,” said APTA president Ralph Boyd.

“With the increasing focus on border security, and the trucking industry’s vital role in the supply chain, this program assists not only trucking companies but the whole supply chain.”

Eight trucking companies have registered for assistance so far, said project manager Tracey Allen (also president of T. Allen & Associates). There are only 25 placements in the program in total, Allan said.

“It’s a great incentive to get companies participating in the security programs,” said Allen. “The fear is that if any security threat ever happened again at the border, the certified companies may be the only ones getting through.”

C-TPAT is a joint government-business initiative to build cooperative relationships that strengthen overall supply chain and border security. It was in response to the 9/11/01 terrorist attack, and is currently a voluntary program.

FAST is a program for carriers whereby the drivers of international shipments are prescreened and cleared as non-security risk drivers. For a carrier to fully take advantage of the express lanes at the border, they must be C-TPAT certified, carry only the freight of C-TPAT importers, and have FAST drivers in charge of the trailers if entering the U.S. Conversely, be PIP approved with FAST drivers to enter Canada. For more information, call Tracey Allen, toll-free at 1(866) 628-1140.