Canada and the United States of America enjoy a political, economic,
and social partnership unique in the world. The concrete expression of
this is the magnitude of the free flow of people and goods across the
border between the two countries. The benefits from this relationship are
of critical importance to the day-to-day conduct and the growth of the two
nations. This is why the Canadian and United States governments are
committed to improving the efficiency of the border and maintaining it as
open as possible.
While it is critical to facilitate travel and trade, however, it is
also important to ensure that criminal organizations do not profit from
this openness. In this regard, the two-way movement of drugs and drug
traffickers across the border is a particular mutual concern.
The ability of our countries to counter the threat posed by drugs and
drug traffickers depends on the information we possess and the processes
in place to use this information effectively. Maintaining the close
partnership that exists between United States and Canadian law enforcement
authorities is the best strategy to prevent the movement of drugs in both
directions and to apprehend drug traffickers. An agreed, coordinated,
regional approach is clearly the most effective way to secure our shared
border.
During the Fourth Canada-United States Cross-Border Crime Forum, held
in Washington, D.C., in June 2000, it was agreed to undertake a joint
assessment of the common threat posed by the cross-border drug trade. The
enclosed report, "United States-Canada Border Drug Threat
Assessment," is the result of that agreement. Numerous agencies
involved in fighting drugs participated in its preparation. The National
Drug Intelligence Center was critical in the production of the final
report.
This assessment has confirmed that illicit drugs are being transported
in both directions across the border to meet demand in both our countries.
Its preparation has also served to highlight the importance of collecting
and sharing data and intelligence on the drug problem to truly understand
the magnitude of the threat posed by drugs. Effective strategic decision
making depends on this.
The agencies and departments involved in this assessment are committed
to addressing this common threat together.
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