U.S., Canada Issue Joint Statement on ‘Beyond the Border’ Initiative

On June 28, 2012, the United States and Canada released a joint “Statement of Privacy Principles” as an “important milestone in the implementation of the Beyond the Border Action Plan,” according to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. The Statement of Privacy Principles concerns the provision, receipt, and use of personal information exchanged between the two countries to “address shared threats to national security.” 

U.S. President Barak Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Harper announced the joint “Beyond the Border” declaration on February 4, 2011. The action plan includes 32 initiatives and calls for enhancements to programs that help trusted businesses and travelers move efficiently across the border; introduces new measures to facilitate movement and trade across the border while reducing the administrative burden for business; and invests in improvements to shared border infrastructure and technology. “By expediting lawful trade and commerce into and across our shared border, the United States and Canada seek to enhance our economic competitiveness, create jobs and support economic growth,” a related announcement notes.

Resources:

• The announcement. 
• The Statement of Privacy Principles. 
• The joint declaration.