PNWER Calls for Action to Streamline Trade, Travel Over Canada-US Border

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Jul 22 (MARKET WIRE) --
The coalition of government and private sector leaders that form the
Pacific NorthWest Economic Region is calling on the Canadian and US
federal governments to take action to improve the Canada-US border before
the region plays host to the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A new PNWER Border Charter calling for practical solutions to delays and
barriers at the border was unveiled at the PNWER Annual Summit in
Vancouver, B.C.

"The 2009 World Police and Fire Games and the 2010 Winter Olympic and
Paralympic Games are just two of the region's next major tourism
opportunities. But congestion and delay at the border could sour their
benefits if we don't act now to streamline and improve day-to-day travel
and trade in advance of these events," said John van Dongen, B.C.
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. "Expanding the enhanced
driver's license program is one of several key recommendations to make
the border more efficient for trade and tourism and more effective at
keeping our countries safe."

PNWER's Border Charter calls on the two federal governments to

- ensure a convenient and welcoming border crossing experience for
travellers, particularly around the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic
Games,

- reduce congestion and streamline flows of legitimate trade and travel,
and

- increase outreach and expansion of frequent border crossing programs to
improve security by focusing resources on higher-risk traffic.

"Our Government is committed to smart and secure borders. That is why
today I am encouraged by the ongoing collaboration between the various
partners involved in the Pacific Northwest Economic Region and their
efforts to streamline cross-border travel and trade, under the new Border
Charter. Canada is working hard every day to ensure the secure and
efficient flow of legitimate people and goods," said the Hon. Stockwell
Day, Minister of Public Safety, who will deliver a keynote address at the
PNWER summit.

"The enhanced driver's license has proven to be a popular option for
drivers who appreciate the convenience of crossing the border by land and
sea with a single card that fits in their wallet," said Liz Luce,
Director of Licensing for Washington. "B.C. and Washington worked hard
through PNWER and our federal partners to bring the program to the
travelling public, and increasing the options for its use will contribute
to better border management."

"The next 12 to 18 months are pivotal," said Matt Morrison, Executive
Director of PNWER. "We have a window of opportunity in the lead up to the
2010 Olympic Games to provide regional solutions to the new US
administration. The Border Charter proposes changes to the way we manage
the border that can and should be made before 2010."

As part of PNWER's border action plan, a new Border Solutions
Coordination Council will gather regional priorities from governments,
stakeholders and border communities in the Pacific Northwest to help
shape border policy and provide systematic feedback to the Canadian and
US federal governments on the local impact of border decisions.

"The border is often the first experience travellers have of a country,
and the more we can do to make this experience positive for them, the
more likely we are as a region to encourage travel and see long-term
benefits from major events the Pacific Northwest will host over the next
several years through 2010 and beyond," said Stephen Regan, President and
CEO of the Council of Tourism Associations (COTA).

The PNWER Border Solutions Coordination Council, composed of regional and
federal government representatives, private sector business and tourism
representatives and regional experts on border issues, will issue an
annual State of the Border Report Card. The report card will provide an
annual assessment of the extent of action by governments on the region's
border priorities.

About PNWER

The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) is a regional U.S.-Canadian
forum dedicated to encouraging global economic competitiveness and
preserving our world-class natural environment. Its member states
include: Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon,
Washington and the Yukon. PNWER is recognized by both the United States
and Canada as the "model" for regional and bi-national cooperation
because of its proven success. PNWER is a respected voice and resource
for our region, and provides the public and private sectors a
cross-border forum for unfiltered dialogue that capitalizes upon the
synergies between business leaders and government who work to advance the
region's economic strength and sustainability. To learn more visit
www.pnwer.org.

BACKGROUNDER

PNWER Border Charter

July 22, 2008

PNWER calls on the federal governments of Canada and the United States to
undertake the following actions required for the Pacific Northwest's
priority border management objectives, to be measured and reported in the
annual State of the Border Report Card:

Objective 1: Ensure secure, convenient and welcoming border crossing
experience for 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Measurement: Satisfaction levels among border users on convenience and
service.

Possible solutions include:

- Integrated and tested plan for handling peak flow traffic at border
crossings:

- Test programs designed to remove some regular regional traffic from
the roadways during anticipated periods of peak Games-related activity,
e.g. in summer 2009, when the Police Games coincide with the normal
seasonal traffic peak and when mobility through the Peace Arch will be
impaired

- Ensure that 10 U.S.-entry booths are available at the Peace Arch
border crossing for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

- Super Host customer service workshops and training programs for customs
and border officials dealing with Olympic border crossers, such as
Tourism British Columbia's World Host Ambassador Training workshop for
delivering customer service during the 2010 Games.

- Pre-clearance program, designated special lanes and information for
Olympics border crossers

- An advance-passenger manifest system for charter buses, smoothing
passage in both directions through the border

- Dedicated lanes and a pool of booths for U.S. and Canadian citizens
who tend to be cleared more rapidly than nationals of other countries

- Provide Olympics ticket purchasers with information package on
transportation options, documentation requirements, and online Advanced
Traveller Information System (ATIS) website links

Objective 2: Reduce congestion and streamline flows of legitimate trade
and travel

Measurement: Median clearance times per traveller.

Possible solutions include:

- Reduced wait and processing times through:

- Increased staffing levels and traffic capacity

- More use of technology for pre-clearance and processing prior to
physical arrival at the border

- Streaming traffic requiring additional service (e.g. immigration,
vehicle imports, customs fees)

- Implement an online system to streamline declaration of customs and
duty payments for tourist travel, reducing delays at primary and
secondary inspection spaces

- Baggage by-pass (eliminating duplication in customs and security
screening) for air passengers making domestic and international
connections across the Canada-US border.

- Better signage directing traffic towards less congested border
crossings and lanes

- The existing technology supporting the Cascade Gateway Advance
Traveler Information System (ATIS) must be brought back online as soon as
possible

- Expand ATIS to all four Cascade Gateway ports (i.e., adding Lynden,
Sumas), for both passenger and commercial traffic. Information would be
displayed online, as well as on a larger set of Variable Message Signs
(VMS).

- Customs pre-clearance for Amtrak train service between Vancouver and
Seattle

- Increased use of truck pre-clearance and electronic seals

- Fund data collection study to investigate e-manifest effectiveness and
consider CBSA e-manifest program similar to US CBP program at Pacific
Highway crossing

- Improved procedures for frequent business travellers

- Greater clarity and streamlined procedures, including fact sheets that
provide clear instructions on how and where to submit applications and
forms

- Combined NEXUS and TN-1 Visas for professionals and technical
specialists on short-term cross-border work assignments, enabling
multiple employment contracts through a pre-registration program

- Ombudsperson to handle business traveler issues and review denials

- Automated remote border processing for corporate jets, using customs
resources more effectively and stimulating additional traffic at
community airports.

Objective 3: increase outreach and expansion of frequent border crossing
programs to improve security by focusing resources on higher-risk traffic.

Measurement: Ratio of resources freed to examine higher-risk goods and
people.

Possible solutions include:

- Smooth implementation and expansion of enhanced drivers' license
initiatives

- Identify potential solutions to facilitate faster border crossing for
holders of Enhanced Drivers Licenses.

- Consideration of EDL as meeting identity document requirements for air
travel in North America

- Increased use of Nexus cards through expansion of the bi-national
program, designated flexible lanes, and improved value for participants
through integration with other low-risk, voluntary travel initiatives

- Develop targeted NEXUS marketing program aimed at frequent border
crossers in Surrey and Bellingham who have not yet joined the program

- Increase NEXUS throughout at the Pacific Highway crossing by
increasing the hours of staffing and installing signage and lane markings
that better help travelers approach the NEXUS booths. - Continuous
communication campaign on document requirements in partnership with
tourism industry, border communities and regional organizations.

Contacts:
Fleishman-Hillard
Anna Lilly
(604) 505-9048
Email: anna.lilly@fleishman.ca

Fleishman-Hillard
Danica Wolfe
(604) 688-2505
Email: danica.wolfe@fleishman.ca

Copyright 2008, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

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