Announcing...
Spring 2012 Border Policy Brief Now Available
Titled “Federal Initiatives Can Be at Odds with Regional Ones” this brief discusses aspects of the federal initiatives included in the Canada-U.S. “Beyond the Border” Action Plan that are aimed to further improve border mobility, but may hinder regional assets that have been successfully underway for years. The Cascade Gateway border crossings are used as a case study to show how certain aspects of these new federal programs can be at odds with conditions prevailing within the region. Furthermore, it is suggested that as federal agencies develop these new programs they must respect and support regional processes that have been key to prior improvements in mobility. Download Policy Brief.
Seminar Proceedings: "Beyond the Border Dialogue at Age One"
The goal of the "Beyond the Border Dialogue at Age One" seminar, held in Seattle on February 10, was to examine the Action Plan announced by President Obama and Prime Minister Harper in December, 2011, and assess its implications and impact on Canada-US border management going forward. The seminar format included two panels consisting of a mix of academics, business people, policy analysts, and high ranking government officials from both sides of the border and concluded with a keynote luncheon addressed by Lieutenant Governor of WA Brad Owen. The first panel dealt with the Action Plan’s broad implications for trade and security and then narrowed down to specific regional implications. The second panel focused on political challenges and opportunities, both from a national perspective and in the Pacific Northwest-Western Canada region. Substantial time was allotted for interaction between the speakers and the audience, which consisted of business persons, agency officials, and media. The event was also webcast to other Canadian consulates and organizations within the US. Download Proceedings.
Winter 2012 Border Policy Brief - RFID
Titled "Is RFID the Answer to Resurgent Border Traffic?" this brief describes the promises and challenges of Radio Frequency Identification Documents (RFID) as a means to expedite clearance of travelers at land ports-of-entry (POE). The Peace Arch and Pacific Highway crossings in Blaine, WA saw a surge in cross-border passenger travel in 2011 resulting in long wait times. Many mitigation strategies have already been deployed at the Blaine POE making it a local exemplar for discussion on what more can be done to reduce delay at border crossings. The Beyond the Border Action Plan emphasizes the use of RFID cards, however the data from Blaine highlighted in this brief suggests that new measures are needed for the RFID to offer considerable near term benefits. Download Policy Brief.
Fall 2011 Border Policy Brief - Hugh Conroy
Titled "Advancing Program Symmetry for U.S.-Canada Investment in Cross-border Transportation" this Brief is based on a recently completed research report (download full report) by the same author, Hugh Conroy. This brief summarizes the full report, which provides an analysis of strategies for creating a symmetrical U.S.- Canada border transportation investment program, which Conroy suggests could be enhanced by broadened engagement between the Transportation Border Working Group (TBWG) and the Beyond the Border Working Group (BBWG), and by the intentions set out by the most recent binational initiative, the February 2011 Beyond the Border Vision Declaration signed by President Obama and Prime Minister Harper. Download Policy Brief.