Canada's Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Vic Toews, and the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on March 14, 2013. This MOU paves the way for a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) truck cargo pre-inspection pilot project on Canadian soil. The MOU was signed in Washington during their biannual meeting. It is a commitment made as part of the Beyond the Border Action Plan.

"Our Government aims to enhance our security and accelerate the legitimate flow of people, goods, and services at the Canada–U.S. border, as envisioned in the Beyond the Border Action Plan," said Minister Toews. "The pilot announced today will test the concept of conducting primary inspection of U.S.-bound truck cargo in Canada in order to better manage our shared border and improve economic opportunities for Canadian manufacturers and their U.S.-based supply chain partners."

"Our countries have made significant progress in implementing the initiatives of the Beyond the Border Action Plan," said Secretary Napolitano. "The implementation of the truck cargo pre-inspection pilot will aim to further enhance the economic and national security of both of our nations."

Canadian and U.S. officials will now work together to finalize the details to implement the pilot. The truck cargo pre-inspection pilot will be carried out in two phases:

• Phase I will test the concept of conducting USCBP primary cargo inspection in Canada, and will be implemented at the Pacific Highway crossing between Surrey, British Columbia and Blaine, Washington.

• Phase II will further test how pre-inspection could enhance border efficiency and reduce wait times to facilitate legitimate trade and travel, and will be implemented at the Peace Bridge crossing between Fort Erie, Ontario, and Buffalo, New York.

According to the news release, “The Canadian and U.S. governments will continue to work closely with key stakeholders. Their views will be sought throughout the pilot project to help ensure its success.”