BC Chamber welcomes Canada-U.S. preclearance agreement

Flags-of-usa-and-canadaTHE BC Chamber of Commerce on Monday applauded the federal government’s announcement of a comprehensive agreement between Canada and the United States to allow preclearance activities by land, rail, marine and air in both countries.

“This preclearance announcement recognizes the truly integrated nature of our transportation system and by extension, our economies,” said John Winter, President and CEO of the BC Chamber. “Whether it is business-people flying back and forth to finalize a deal that will grow their companies, or tourists catching a train or a bus to go visit our respective countries, this preclearance agreement will open up our borders to all the economic benefit that goes with these activities.”

Winter added that the BC Chamber network, via the chamber policy process, has long supported the implementation of the Beyond the Border initiative.

“With $2 billion a day in trade crossing our shared border with the U.S., any and all opportunities to keep that border fluid; whether from recent infrastructure upgrades at the Aldergrove crossing – to today’s preclearance announcement, keeps our economies moving.” Winter said. “Time is money and this agreement will better enable business to make money to grow their business and not waste it sitting in border line-ups.”

Winter also noted his anticipation for the cargo pre-inspection pilot to be completed in July 2015.

“The BC Chamber is happy to see progress on the Beyond the Border initiative that will get people moving by making preclearance easier to access, but business is equally excited to see the cargo pre-inspection pilot concluding this July,” said Winter. “The BC Chamber looks forward to the successful conclusion of this pilot, which will get goods moving as fluidly as people will be able to.”