PNWER at Work > Working Groups > Border Issues
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Beyond Preclearance Coalition
Pass USMCA Coalition
​NAFTA Modernization
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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.
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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

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
Session 3: Technology Solutions to Pandemic Challenges
Monday, August 16 | 10:45-11:45am MT
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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
Summit Agenda
News Articles
Links
GDP & Trade Stats
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Leadership

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

PNWER Staff

Brandon Hardenbrook
Chief Financial Officer, PNWER​
[email protected]
p: 206-443-7723
f: 206-443-7703
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Banner photo by Mark Stevens