Home Information Sharing & Analysis Prevention & Protection Preparedness & Response Research Commerce & Trade Travel Security Immigration
About the Department Open for Business Press Room
Current National Threat Level is elevated

The threat level in the airline sector is High or Orange. Read more.

Homeland Security 5 Year Anniversary 2003 - 2008, One Team, One Mission Securing the Homeland

Remarks by Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge at a Press Conference with Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan

Release Date: 12/17/04 00:00:00

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact 202-282-8010
Detroit
December 17, 2004
(Remarks as Prepared)

Many thanks to Deputy Prime Minister McLellan, her team and our Canadian partners. You have long been wonderful partners, but especially so since the tragedy of 9/11.  We have accomplished a great deal together and set the foundation for future achievements.  The Detroit-Windsor Gateway is a symbol of the close relationship of our two nations.

Our meetings today help us better understand how we can work together to improve our coordination and collaboration – how we can add layers of security while at the same time encourage and facilitate the flow and goods and people across our shared border.

We seek the safe passage of goods and people across our borders – across the Ambassador Bridge, the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, the Blue Water Bridge, the Detroit-Windsor Truck Ferry and through the air.  We strive to continue to grow and protect our nations’ interdependent economies and the freedom underpinning them.

Together we will secure our shared infrastructure and our citizens from those who would do us harm.

This requires the combined effort of all levels of both of our governments – from local to federal.  It requires committed business leaders, dedicated first responders, local companies, local officials – all coming together with a common purpose.  This commitment, dedication and partnership help build the foundation for our future security and vitality.

Today, the Deputy Prime Minister and I released the fifth joint status report on the US-Canadian Smart Border Action Plan, which clearly shows the significant progress we have achieved together on 32 action items.  

The seven new FAST sites, in addition to the 12 already operational, our Safe Third Country Agreement, and the agreement to expand U.S. pre-clearance facilities to Halifax are recent accomplishments that facilitate trade and travel while also adding increased layers of protection for our countries.

There is much we have achieved together and much more work to do – in biometrics and prescreening standards, interoperable communication, sharing information and intelligence, in maritime and cargo security, more FAST lanes, joint facilities and infrastructure investments.

We also support the private sector's efforts to reduce transit times by 25 percent in the Detroit-Windsor Gateway.  This will require the effort of the entire community.  DHS will do its part.  And if all stakeholders are involved – bridge, tunnel and ferry operators; exporters and importers; and governments at all levels, on both sides of the border – we can achieve that goal.  We can build barriers to terrorists and bridges to one another.  We can eliminate gaps that our enemies could otherwise exploit

Together, as neighbors, partners and friends, we can make our homelands safe and free for generations to come. Again, my thanks to Deputy Prime Minister McLellan and all of our neighbors to the north who work daily to mitigate our shared risks and secure our shared border.

###

This page was last reviewed/modified on 12/17/04 00:00:00.