OSOYOOS, B.C. — Another joint Canada-U.S. border facility has opened on the 49th Parallel at Oroville, Washington/Osoyoos, B.C.

This is the second shared facility built under the umbrella of the Canada-United States Accord on Our Shared Border Joint Facilities Initiative. Operating under the terms of the Accord, construction of this new shared facility has been a joint endeavour between the U.S. General Services Administration and the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. The US$31 million-dollar facility is supposed to promote international trade, provide enhanced border protection and reduce costs to both governments and the public.

“This is the first time that Canada and the United States have shared a large commercial port facility,” said Minister of National Revenue Elinor Caplan. “This site exemplifies the partnership between Canada and the United States and our commitment to ensure that our shared border is efficient and secure.”

“The new border station provides better protection for citizens of both countries, improves movement across the border and allows for better access to commerce,” said Stephen A. Perry, Administrator, U.S. General Services Administration. “This state of the art design incorporates the latest in environmental friendly building technology, while allowing both countries to rapidly adjust to the situational demands of border security.”

The Oroville/Osoyoos shared border services the interior of British Columbia into the Okanagan Valley, and the central region of Washington State. The project provides new, expanded joint facilities for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, the Department of Citizenship and Immigration and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.