The U.S. and Canada are joining forces o enhance border security and safeguard critical infrastructure, says Canadian Public Safety Minister Vic Toews and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

 

Toews and Napolitano spoke at a joint news conference in Washington, D.C., to announce the "Canada-United States Action Plan for Critical Infrastructure." The aim is for both countries to work together better, sharing more information and assessing threats and risks jointly. Each country has its own strategies, but Toews and Napolitano said that in order to prevent or recover quickly from "disruptions" to critical infrastructure, both Canada and the U.S. have to collaborate more. "We're going to be doing some joint threat assessments" said Napolitano. "And that's an evolution in the partnership that we've always had. That goes with our strategic border vision. It's a big border. It needs to be safe and secure. There's a heavy trade and travel value to this border. Canada is our close friend and ally and partner, and so making sure there's a shared strategic vision for that border is very important to both of us," said Napolitano.

 

Both Toews and Napolitano said security can be enhanced through the new agreement without impeding trade across the shared border. They also announced joint initiatives on preventing child sexual exploitation in Haiti and on money-laundering and terrorist-financing investigations and prosecutions.