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Border-crossing news from Washington and Toronto

There are two news items today of interest regarding Canada-U.S. border issues.
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There are two news items today of interest regarding Canada-U.S. border issues.

First, there's word from Washington that Canadian citizens will be exempted from homeland security measures requiring visitors to register when entering and leaving the United States.

For details, click on these links: Globe and Mail National Post

Second, the following news release was issued today by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce:

**************************************************************** OCC takes aim at soothing cross-border business tensions

$100-Billion business relationship spurs cooperative effort between Ontario Chamber of Commerce and Michigan Chamber of Commerce

TORONTO, April 17 - The Ontario Chamber of Commerce, which represents over 57,000 individual businesses in Ontario, today announced a series of initiatives that will address the growing concern of lost business due to delays and slowdowns at the Canada-U.S. border as a result of security issues and recent cross-border acrimony.

The announcement, made in partnership with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, which represents approximately 6,500 employers, trade associations and local Chambers of Commerce in Michigan, includes a commitment for summit meetings between members of the OCC and the Michigan Chamber, the establishment of a separate task force to deal with border issues, and exploring the use of a targeted advertising campaign in the U.S., aimed at reassuring American businesses that trade transcends politics.

"The impact of any border crossing slowdowns or other impediments to flow of goods and services could have a disastrous effect on businesses in Ontario," said Len Crispino OCC President and CEO.

"However, this is more than just a one-way issue, and we are working with our colleagues from Michigan because between the two jurisdictions there is more than $100-billion worth of annual trade at stake," he said. Exports to Michigan represent 30 percent of Canada's world-wide exports and 35 percent of all Ontario exports, and every billion dollars worth of exports from Ontario represents approximately 10,000 jobs.

The state is Ontario's largest single trading partner. "Ensuring that it is business as usual between our two jurisdictions is of paramount importance for both our economies," said Jim Barrett, President and CEO of the Michigan Chamber.

"Our members have enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with Canadian businesses and our intention in working with the OCC is to ensure that those relationships are not jeopardized," he said. Also attending today's news conference were senior representatives from regional Chambers in London, Kitchener-Waterloo and Oshawa, as well as a senior economist from the Bank of Nova Scotia.

The key points announced at today's news conference include:

- A commitment between the two Chambers to establish a cross-border Business Council that will meet annually in alternating jurisdictions. The council will consist of senior regional Chamber representatives and senior business leaders. The council will discuss issues, soothe cross-border tensions and ensure that concerns are tabled before they become a detriment to smooth flowing trade.

- The OCC will also establish a Borders task force that will develop policy resolutions to address both short term and long term border crossing issues, and examine how to improve capacity today as well as beginning the process for accommodating future capacity needs.

- Exploring with the Ontario Government an outreach newspaper advertising campaign that stresses the importance of continuing good trade relations, and the message that cross-border trade is good for everybody's business.

- A follow-up news conference to be held in Lansing, Michigan that will stress that trade between the two countries is as crucial to the U.S. as to Canada.

- A scheduled meeting with Ontario Minister of Enterprise, Opportunity and Innovation, Jim Flaherty to address cross-border traffic, and the need to work together to ensure trade relations between the two jurisdictions continue to provide jobs and prosperity.

"By opening up an ongoing dialogue between Ontario and Michigan we believe that we can defuse potentially destructive issues, give significant feedback to our legislators and provide business with the confidence that cross-border concerns are being addressed," said Mr. Crispino.

The OCC represents over 57,000 businesses through 150 local Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade, and has been the voice of business in Ontario since 1911. The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal process.

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David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
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