September 30, 2009
No. 284
The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today tabled in Parliament the Framework Agreement on Integrated Cross-Border Maritime Law Enforcement Operations between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America.
The framework agreement was signed in Detroit, Michigan, on May 26, 2009, by the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety, and Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“This agreement, informally known as Shiprider, enables the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the United States Coast Guard to jointly secure the common waterways of Canada and the United States,” said Minister Cannon. “Tabling in Parliament is an important step toward bringing the agreement into force in Canada. The agreement underscores our strong commitment to work together to strengthen the security of our shared border while still encouraging legitimate cross-border activities that promote trade, jobs and economic growth.”
“This agreement highlights the strong relationship between our two countries,” said Minister Van Loan. “It emphasizes our shared commitment to improving security at our shared border, without obstructing flows of trade and travel. We are sending a strong message to criminals that illegal activity will not be tolerated.”
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