SAN ANTONIO, Tex. — David Bradley, chief executive officer of the Canadian Trucking Alliance is currently promoting continental unity in the wake of Sept. 11.

The Canadian lobby leader says the tragic events will only accelerate the process of North American economic integration as governments seek ways to improve collective security.

Bradley’s made his remarks in a speech to government and business leaders attending the NAFTA Land Transport Conference in San Antonio, Tex. this week.

“In the past CTA has argued, out of frustration over delays in implementation of border access and harmonization provisions, that NAFTA simply did not exist in trucking,” says Bradley.

He adds the problems started when the U.S. decided not to implement the NAFTA agreement to open the southern border to truck traffic.

“The growth in trade the NAFTA countries have enjoyed, and which the trucking industry has benefited from, has taken place in spite of the fact that most of the land transportation provisions have not been implemented.”

The Bush administration now plans to open the southern border by mid-July.

“How can we talk of free trade and maximizing productivity and efficiency when cabotage laws continue to preclude our carriers and drivers from making even the simplest repositioning moves in the other country?” he says.