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Chambers welcome Canada-U.S. preclearance agreement
The Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce applauds 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 Dave Struthers, Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce president.
Struthers added, “That the B.C. and Canadian Chamber network – via the chamber policy process, has long supported the implementation of the Beyond the Border initiative. As active participants in the chamber movement we are extremely pleased with the demonstrable success of the B.C. and Canadian Chambers of Commerce on this file.”
Given the proximity of the vast majority of Canadians, and the resulting economic activities, to the Canada – U.S. border it is important to reduce as many barriers to trade and commerce and physical choke points as possible.
Cranbrook Chamber Executive Director David D. Hull commented, “With $2 billion a day in trade crossing our shared border with the U.S., any and all opportunities to keep that border fluid is welcome news.
“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,” Hull commented.
The BC Chamber of Commerce President & CEO John Winter was pleased with the March 16 announcement. “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,” he said, adding, “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.”
Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce
