Canada, US announce “first-ever” binational border infrastructure investment plan

Avatar photo

OTTAWA, ON—Canada and the US announced today they will partner on a joint Canada-United States Border Infrastructure Investment Plan. 

The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, along with Ray LaHood, Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation, and Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security, released the “first-ever” joint Canada-United States Border Infrastructure Investment Plan (BIIP) and said the plan fulfills a commitment made under the 2011 Canada–United States Beyond the Border Action Plan.

The BIIP is an interagency and binational planning mechanism “developed to establish a mutual understanding of recent, ongoing and potential border infrastructure investments,” said a release.

It outlines the approach that Canada and the United States will take to coordinate plans for physical infrastructure upgrades at small and remote ports of entry. This initiative will be updated and disseminated annually.

“Modern border crossings are essential to the efficient flow of trade and travellers, which is why the Border Infrastructure Investment Plan and the collaborative relationship with our American neighbours are so important,” said Minister Lebel.

“Our government is investing in border crossings, ports and gateways to reduce wait times, increase trade and create jobs.” 

“This first, joint U.S.-Canada binational plan shows that our collaborative approach to border planning, which includes feedback from our local partners, will serve both of our countries well and ensures that we are working together on our common interests,” said Secretary LaHood.

“Our two governments are committed to enhancing our mutual security and economic prosperity through significant investments at key crossings,” said Minister Toews. “These investments will reduce border delays, expedite trade across our shared border, and allow the Canada Border Services Agency to focus on facilitating the flow of low-risk people and goods while keeping the border open to legitimate trade and travel.”

“An integrated, bilateral approach to border investment is critical to both the U.S. and Canadian economies. The BIIP offers enhanced security along our shared U.S.-Canadian border, while reducing wait times at major border crossings—increasing the flow of traffic across the border while ensuring safe and secure trade and travel,” said DHS Secretary Napolitano. 

The BIIP’s  release follows recent announcements by the Government of Canada of significant investments at four initial priority land ports of entry identified by Canada in the Action Plan: Lacolle, Quebec; Lansdowne, Ontario (Thousand Islands Bridge); Emerson, Manitoba; and North Portal, Saskatchewan. The modernization of major border crossings will reduce wait times, increase reliability of just-in-time shipments, and decrease fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Canada and the United States enjoy the world’s largest trading partnership, with two-way merchandise trade totalling $570 billion in 2012.

Avatar photo

Truck News is Canada's leading trucking newspaper - news and information for trucking companies, owner/operators, truck drivers and logistics professionals working in the Canadian trucking industry.


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*