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  • Our Work
    • Working Groups
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    • Congregate
    • Future Borders Coalition (Beyond Preclearance)
    • Pandemic Resilience Roadmap
    • PNWER RIA Program
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • 2023 Annual Summit
    • 2023 Economic Leadership Forum
    • Past Events >
      • 2022 Economic Leadership Forum
      • 2022 Annual Summit
      • 2021 Economic Leadership Forum
      • 2021 Summit
      • 2020 Economic Leadership Forum-Rising Economy Week
      • 2019 Economic Leadership Forum
      • 2019 Summit
  • Webinars
    • Past Webinars
    • COVID-19 Recovery Call
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    • Current Sponsors
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Border Issues

 
PNWER at Work > Working Groups > Border Issues
About
Beyond Preclearance Coalition
Pass USMCA Coalition
​NAFTA Modernization
Resources
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  • Summit Agenda
  • News Articles
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About

PicturePNWER was pleased to have Canada's Ambassador to the U.S., Gary Doer, and the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Bruce Heyman, join us for our Border Issues meeting at the 24th Annual Summit in Whistler, B.C., July 2014.
PNWER has continued to provide input on the Beyond the Border and Regulatory Cooperation Council Action Plans. Prior to the action plans' inception in December 2011, PNWER working groups had been instrumental in providing regional input for these documents, which are the cornerstone of North America's economic competitiveness and security strategy. The joint action plans are designed to simplify the process for each country's citizens to travel and do business across the border.

PNWER will continue to remain active and informed with regards to the current NAFTA changes. Our coverage of the renegotiation can be found here. 

PictureFormer US Ambassador to Canada David Wilkins moderates a discussion with Denis Sevens, Deputy Head of Mission Canadian Embassy in Washington DC, and by Chargè d’Affaires Elizabeth Moore Aubin, United States Embassy in Ottawa
The Border Issues Working Group has committed to: 
  • Working with CBP and CBSA to find new ways to facilitate trusted business travelers
  • Urging CBSA and other U.S. and Canadian agencies to publish POE specific northbound traffic data for research that will help streamline the border crossing process.
  • Encouraging private companies to give their stories/information to the Beyond the Border Working Group about their current costs associated with crossing the border and potential savings with further border management improvements.
  • Urging U.S. and Canada RCC not to view New Port Operating Committees (POCs) as substitutes, or divert attention and resources away from highly successful regional assets such as the International Mobility and Trade Corridor (IMTC) in the Cascade Corridor.
  • Calling on the U.S. and Canada to support independent university-based research institutes such as the Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University to conduct data-driven performance studies of how the border is performing.
  • Encouraging BC to take every action possible to increase the number of British Columbians who hold EDLs.

 
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Beyond Preclearance Coalition

The Beyond Preclearance Coalition is comprised of bi-national organizations with a vested interest in advancing the efficiency and security of the Canada-U.S. border. Together, they commissioned a White Paper to explore the opportunities going forward.

​Matt Morrison, CEO of PNWER, serves a co-chair of this coalition. 

For more information on the Beyond Preclearance Coalition, please click here.
Visit Beyond Preclearance Page Here
 
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Pass USMCA Coalition

Since the USMCA was signed by the leaders of the U.S., Mexico, and Canada in November of 2018, PNWER has supported the trade deal as an important part of the U.S.-Canada relationship. PNWER has sent letters to and met with members of Congress to encourage them to ratify USMCA while emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong trade relationship with our closest neighbors.

PNWER recently joined the USMCA Coalition which is "a group of U.S. companies and associations working to secure congressional approval of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement." To learn more, visit the USMCA Coalition website.

Pass USMCA Coalition participates in U.S. Chamber of Commerce event: Why USMCA is good for the innovative economies of North America- Press Release, May 23, 2019
Watch the entire event HERE.
 
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NAFTA Modernization Task Force

In late 2016, PNWER developed a Task Force to examine updates and changes to NAFTA to benefit the region. 
PNWER NAFTA Modernization Task Force Overview

Part of this process involved surveying our partners from across the region. Below are the results of the survey and the submission to the US Trade Representative regarding NAFTA
  • PNWER Written Statement to the USTR-July 2, 2020
  • PNWER Written Statement to the USTR-June 12, 2017
  • ​NAFTA Survey Executive Summary
  • NAFTA Survey Data

2021 PNWER Annual Summit - Border Issues

The year-long closure of the U.S.-Canada border was completely unprecedented. Despite efforts to plan a coordinated reopening of the border, there were no clear pathways to verify health and community safety for cross-border travel. These panels focused on the challenges our border has faced due to the pandemic. 
Session 2: Reopening the Border with a Vision for the Future
Monday, August 16 | 9:30-10:30am MT
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WATCH THE SESSION
VIEW PRESENTATION
Session 3: Technology Solutions to Pandemic Challenges
Monday, August 16 | 10:45-11:45am MT
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WATCH THE SESSION
VIEW PRESENTATION
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Resources

Action Items 
2019 Border Action Items
Develop draft proposal for a cargo truck pilot in our region similar to the Peace Bridge pilot. ​
Continue to engage with the Beyond Preclearance Initiative and work to develop action plans for each of their working groups.​
Work with research institutes to develop white papers related to economic impact analyses and cost estimates for various projects and policies, including pre-clearance, co-location, loss of Canadian Enhanced Driver’s Licenses, business impacts of immigration delays, etc. ​
2019 Trade Action Items
Issue a statement in support of ratification of CUSMA/USMCA by Canada and the United States.
Encourage public and private PNWER delegates to communicate with their congressional and parliamentary delegation on the benefits of USMCA/CUSMA.
Summit Archive
Summer 2017
Agenda

Summer 2016
Action Items
Agenda
Presentations

Summer 2015 
Action Items
Agenda
Presentations

Summer 2014
Border Action Items
Border Proceedings
Click here for presentations
Summit Agenda
  • 2019 Summit - Saskatoon
  • 2018 Summit - Spokane
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View the 2019 Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Annual Summit schedule & directory.
View the 2018 Pacific NorthWest Economic Region Annual Summit schedule & directory.
News Articles
  • Canada and United States Announce New NEXUS Interview Option to Expand Enrollment Capacity--January 25, 2023
  • Joint Statement by Canada and the United States on NEXUS--January 10, 2023
  • Here's what experts say could be key in getting the U.S.-Canadian border reopened-The Bellingham Herald--September 21, 2020
  • Travel leaders test COVID-19 safety measures at Canadian border-Puget Sound Business Journal--September 21, 2020
  • COVID-19: Relationships along Cascadia corridor key to promoting innovation, recovery-Vancouver Sun--September 16, 2020
  • Expecting trade to ‘normalize,’ U.S. to repeal tariffs on Canadian aluminum-Inside U.S. Trade, September 15, 2020
  • U.S. to remove tariffs on Canadian aluminum if imports stay within limits- Reuters, September 15, 2020
  • Canada-U.S. border restrictions extended, forcing big changes in some people's lives-NW News Network--August 19, 2020
  • Reports from North America's Borders: Experts React to New COVID-19 Travel Restrictions- Wilson Center--March 26, 2020
  • U.S. and Canada Continue Commitment to Securing our Borders, Begin Phase III of the Entry/Exit Project Under the Beyond the Border Initiative- U.S. Department of Homeland Security, July 11, 2019
  • Lamenting the loss of a friendly North Dakota border crossing
  • New restrictions on the U.S. visa waiver program
  • Center for Strategic and International Studies: Recommendations for a New Administration – Weed and Lead with Canada by Christopher Sands
  • The Buffalo News – U.S. eyes fee at land border crossings
  • Seattle Times – Guest: Say no to a U.S. – Canada border-crossing fee by Don Alper
Links
  • ​Beyond the Border U.S. Fact Sheet - January 2017
  • Canada-US RCC Newsletter, March 2016: Call for submissions
  • U.S. – Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council
  • Canadian / American Border Trade Alliance
  • Canada's Economic Action Plan – Perimiter Security and Economic Competitiveness
  • ​Letter to Secretary Nielsen and Commissioner McAleenan on Canada's Legalization of Recreational Cannabis - October 2018
  • Beyond Preclearance Coalition
GDP & Trade Stats
2017 U.S.-Canada Trade Stats Presentation

GDP and Trade Stats by State:
Alaska
Idaho
Montana
Oregon
Washington
 
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Leadership

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Dr. Laurie Trautman
Director, Border Policy Research Institute
Western Washington University
Co-chair
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Sen. Mike Cuffe
State Senator
Montana State Legislature
Co-chair
 

PNWER Staff

Brandon Hardenbrook
Chief Financial Officer, PNWER​
brandon.hardenbrook@pnwer.org
p: 206-443-7723
f: 206-443-7703
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Banner photo by Mark Stevens
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Email: info@pnwer.org
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