Ressources
Ressources générales et bourses
Observations on Implementing the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)
January 22, 2008
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released correspondence on January 22, 2008, titled: "Observations on Implementing the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative" to Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY), and Congressman John McHugh (R-NY).
Cross-Border Truck Trips Down in 2007; Further Proof of Troubled Ontario Economy
Ontario Trucking Association
January 14, 2008
The number of cross-border truck trips between Ontario and the US fell for the third straight year in 2007 to its lowest point since 1998. In 2007, there were 8,049,136 truck trips across the Ontario-US border, down from 8,267,931 trips in 2006, a decrease of 2.6%. This is the lowest number of cross border truck trips in almost a decade and the lowest number since 1998. Even in 2001, the year in which "9/11" occurred, there were 72,000 more cross-border truck trips than in 2007.
GAO Calls for National Freight Transportation Strategy
January 10, 2008
The U.S. freight transportation system is at a "crossroads" and a comprehensive national strategy is needed to improve freight mobility in the future, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office.
DOT Says Surface Trade with Canada and Mexico Reached Record High in October 2007
January 9, 2008
The Department of Transportation reports that U.S. surface transportation trade in goods with NAFTA partners Canada and Mexico reached the highest monthly level ever recorded in October, totaling $74.2 billion. This figure represents an 11.2 percent jump over the previous month, an 11.1 percent increase from a year before and a 6.9 percent rise over the previous monthly high of $69.8 billion in March 2007. Surface transportation consists largely of freight movements by truck, rail and pipeline and accounts for about 90 percent of U.S. trade by value with Canada and Mexico.
Since its inception in 2000, the Toronto Strategic Partnership has demonstrated its effectiveness in combating deceptive telemarketing and other fraudulent scams that transcend borders. To highlight its achievements, the partnership has released a report entitled Accomplishments of the Toronto Strategic Partnership.
Border Policy Brief January 2008: The Economic Impact of WHTI in Washington State (Revisited)
Border Policy Research Institute - Western Washington University
Two years ago this month, the inaugural edition of the Border Policy Brief discussed the expected impact of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) upon the state of Washington.1 New analyses and data have become available since then, so in this issue we revisit the topic. WHTI, commonly referred to as the "passport law," imposes new documentation requirements that could affect the volume of cross-border travel. Because many businesses in Washington are patronized by Canadians, our main focus, in both this analysis and the last, is upon the economic impacts likely to be associated with changes in the number of Canadians who visit Washington by automobile. Judging from the coverage of that topic in mainstream media, Canadian visitation remains an issue of major concern. We also remark briefly about the impacts associated with trips by Washingtonians to Canada.
Vermont Port of Entry to be Replaced
December 19, 2007
A notice from the General Services Administration indicates that U.S. Customs and Border Protection is planning to construct a new commercial port of entry facility on the existing POE site in Derby Line, Vt. The notice states that the existing POE facilities are outdated and no longer adequately meet current or future requirements. These deficiencies have become more noticeable in recent years due to the increase in commercial truck traffic and heightened border security measures, leading to extensive traffic delays for vehicles entering the U.S. from Canada. The POE is also inefficient and very difficult to maneuver through, especially for large trucks. Additionally, all building spaces are currently fully occupied and there is no swing or vacant space that could be utilized to house the additional requirements at this site.
(Occasional Paper) Volume 1, Number 4: Trade Corridors and North American Competitiveness
Stephen Blank, Association of Canadian Studies in the United States
December, 2007
20 Years Later: Has Free Trade Delivered on its Promise?
Bruce Campbell, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
December 2007
Twenty years after Canada signed the Free Trade Agreement its biggest boosters have grown wealthier but promises of better jobs and rising living standards have fallen short, says a study released by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Author Bruce Campbell examines what has happened since the signing of the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement in 1988 by taking samples from 41 Canadian Council of Chief Executive (CCCE) member companies — the leading proponents of free trade — and found that their revenues increased by 127%, while their workforces shrank by nearly 20%.
(Working Paper) Managing Rail Expansion and Congestion in North American Freight Transportation: The Thruport Concept
Jean-Paul Rodrigue, North American Transportation Competitiveness Research Council
December 2007
This paper examines the critical issue in North American freight transportation of increasing congestion at key hubs. It offers a suggestion for alleviating some congestion arising from inter and intra-modal transfers of containers. This is particularly important for transportation hubs such as Chicago where dramatic increases of goods movement are projected (for example, from Prince Rupert Port and Halifax).
Characteristics of international travellers, second quarter 2007
Statistics Canada
November, 28, 2007
Economic Impact of Security Measures Affecting Canada's Transportation Industry
Transport Canada
November, 2007
In September 2005, Transport Canada commissioned an empirical investigation into the direct operating and capital costs, as well as indirect impacts, imposed by the Canadian and U.S. security measures introduced after September 11th, 2001 and in place before April 2005. This study examines the impact on Canadian air carriers, airports, rail carriers, marine port authorities and facilities, marine shipping lines, and freight forwarders. An earlier study which examined the impact of security measures on the Canadian trucking industry has been incorporated into this report for completeness. Over 50 in-depth interviews were conducted and an additional 136 survey responses were received from the above key stakeholder groups. In most cases, the interview and survey respondents represented a fairly high proportion of the traffic carried by their respective modes. For most modes, the results from the respondents have been scaled up to estimate the impact on the entire Canadian transportation industry.
Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Study -- Final Report, Fall, 2007
The governments of Canada and the United States released the bi-national study.
November 26, 2007
The GLSLS Study was conducted to evaluate the infrastructure needs of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway system, specifically the engineering, economic and environmental implications of those needs as they pertain to commercial navigation. The study assesses the long-term maintenance and capital requirements to ensure the continuing viability of the system as a safe, efficient, reliable and sustainable component of North America's transportation infrastructure.
Étude des Grands Lacs et de la Voie maritime du Saint-Laurent -- Rapport final, automne 2007
Les gouvernements du Canada et des États-Unis ont rendu public le rapport d'étude binational.
26 novembre 2007
L'étude GLVMSL a été menée pour examiner les besoins d'infrastructure du réseau des Grands Lacs et de la Voie maritime du Saint-Laurent, notamment les conséquences de ceux-ci sur le plan technique, économique et écologique en ce qui a trait à la navigation commerciale. L'étude évalue l'entretien et les besoins en capital à long terme en vue d'assurer la durabilité continue du réseau en tant qu'élément sécuritaire, efficace, fiable et durable de l'infrastructure de transport nord américaine.
(Border Policy Brief) November 2007: Local Stakeholders Governing Water Across the 49th Parallel
Border Policy Research Institute - Western Washington University
This article analyzes how local stakeholders along the Canada — U.S. border are increasingly involved in bi-national governance of water. The article highlights the growing influence of regional, multi-jurisdictional organizations such as the Washington — B.C. Shared Waters Alliance, as well as the changing role of long-standing supranational institutions such as the International Joint Commission. Particular emphasis is given to the topic of the relative institutional capacity of local groups within multi-jurisdictional, international structures. The article concludes with remarks that can guide public policy on local involvement in trans-boundary water issues.
(Research Report) No. 5, September 2007: Analysis of American and Canadian Cross-Border Business Expansion in the Pacific Northwest
Brian Morgans, Border Policy Research Institute - Western Washington University
American and Canadian markets rely on each other greatly, given the volume of trade that exists between the two nations. Companies of both nationalities see opportunity in business growth by accessing the market and establishing a physical presence in the other country. American firms which expanded into the Lower Mainland in British Columbia and Canadian firms which expanded into Whatcom County in Washington State were surveyed to identify reasons for, and obstacles to expansion. Canadian companies cited strategic value and benefits of proximity to British Columbia. American companies cited strategic positioning and labor availability as benefits in the expansion process. Obstacles for Canadian expansion included hiring and securing a quality workforce and issues with crossing the border. American companies experienced issues with Canadian government regulations, although these issues were not severe.
(Research Report) No. 4, August 2007: An Investigation of Congestion Pricing Options for Southbound Freight at the Pacific Highway Crossing
Matthew R. Roelofs, Ph.D. & Mark Springer, Ph.D., Border Policy Research Institute - Western Washington University
As noted in a recent study, the number of commercial vehicles crossing the border between British Columbia and Whatcom County, Washington, nearly doubled during the nineties, and nearly three-fourths of all trucks crossing this stretch of border are processed at PHC. Congestion at PHC continues to be a concern; the study mentioned above found the average waiting time per southbound truck over a four-day period in the summer of 2002 to be about half an hour. Recent facility enhancements at PHC, notably additional capacity in the form of dedicated lanes and inspection booths for FAST (Free and Secure Trade) participants, were aimed at reducing this congestion. Other security-oriented changes, however, such as lengthier questioning at the inspection booths, have nonetheless increased overall processing times and doubled the waiting times for many trucks at the border.
Recent years have witnessed an increase in border security as well as continued growth in international truck traffic at the Pacific Highway Crossing (PHC) in Blaine, Washington.
(Working Paper) A Review of Recent Research on North American Freight Transportation Infrastructure
Guy Stanley, Ph. D., North American Transportation Competitiveness Research Council
August 2007
This report analyses a dozen reports from knowledgeable groups on the infrastructure of NAFTA countries from 2003 onwards. Admittedly, the selection range of the last four years is too recent to capture the full amplitude of a discussion that has been going on for at least two decades with respect to the infrastructure capacity and under-funding issues. The current TEA arrangements in the US emerged from those discussions. The point of this review is to see how much if anything has changed since the TEA funding. The selection of groups also deserves some explanation, for the sample is neither random nor representative of all stakeholders. Instead, the referenced reports are those of a number of think tanks and industry advocates who are relatively frequent contributors to public policy debates from an evidence-based rather than ideological standpoint-organizations such as RAND, Brookings and so forth, along with government departments and industry advocates. These reports sound an alarm about the deterioration of national freight transportation systems in each of the NAFTA countries and underline the potential growth and competitiveness limiting impact of that deterioration. The occurrence of two infrastructure collapse events (in Montreal and Minneapolis) after the work on this report was completed suggest that the world "alarm" is no exaggeration. The purpose of this report is to review and compare these reports as a basis for further research and comprehensive policy response.
(Working Paper) A Single North American Trucking Market Experiment: The Open Prairies Proposal
Richard Beilock and Barry E. Prentice
North American Transportation Competitiveness Research Council
August 2007
In this paper, a limited experiment in motor carrier cabotage in North America is proposed called "Open Prairies." Open Prairies would allow cabotage for U.S. and Canadian motor carriers throughout the Prairie Provinces of Canada and several Upper Great Plains U.S. states. The plan would include a sunset provision to require both nations to reaffirm the arrangement after a specified period. Variants of the plan are discussed that have different rules regarding permissible cabotage depending upon the previous international movement and origin or destination in the Open Prairies area. The likely costs and benefits of the scheme are examined.
(Working Paper) No. 1, June 2007: Projecting Washington-B.C. Truck Freight Border Crossings and Arterial Usage
Hamilton Galloway, Ken Casavant & Eric Jessup, Border Policy Research Institute - Western Washington University
Continuing adaptation to changing transportation needs is critical in maintaining efficiency and reducing costs of raw and manufactured goods to ensure economic stability and growth. With bilateral trade in excess of $1.4 billion per day between the U.S. and Canada and over 200 million annual crossings (passenger vehicles and freight trucks) (U.S. Embassy, Ottawa, 2006), knowledge of the composition of commodities crossing the border and the growth in the flow of those commodities is vital to future policy making. This report focuses on cross-border flows by truck between Washington and British Columbia, through decomposition of the northbound and southbound flows by industry and commodity, coupled with projection of the trade growth in those industries. By knowing expected increases in commodity flows across border port locations, policy makers can better adapt border ports to ensure efficiency in truck movements. Increased efficiency is important to trade competitiveness in the international marketplace.
(Research Report) No. 3, June 2007: Service Time Variability at the Blaine, WA, International Border Crossing and the Impact on Regional Supply Chains
Anne Goodchild, Ph.D., Steven Globerman, Ph.D. & Susan Albrecht, MAPS
Border Policy Research Institute - Western Washington University
date
Service times at vehicle processing facilities (borders, weigh stations, landside marine port gates) are variable, thereby causing transportation planning challenges for carriers that visit them on a regular basis. Carriers must either build in more time than is necessary, therefore underutilizing their equipment, or risk missing delivery windows, which can result in fines or cause lost business opportunities. In this study, border crossing times at Blaine, Washington, are examined. The variability in crossing times at this border crossing, and the impact of this variability on regional supply chains is considered for bi-directional trade. Directional, daily, hourly, and seasonal variations are examined. Interviews with regional carriers were conducted to better understand the current response to variability, the benefit of a reduction in variability, and how this is related to the goods moved or to other business operating characteristics. This paper describes the level of variability in border crossing times and describes carriers' responses to this variability. It is demonstrated that the primary strategy used, increasing buffer times, reduces carrier productivity. However, this cost is negligible due to the current nature of the market.
Free Trade @ 20 - Survey of Canadians and Americans
SES Research
Canadians and Americans agree - free trade has been good for both Canada and the United States. Furthermore, two-thirds of Canadians and Americans agree free trade is the foundation to compete globally. And three out of four Canadians and Americans agree free trade is important to enhancing North America's prosperity. These are among the principal findings of an SES Research poll conducted exclusively for Policy Options in conjunction with its special issue to be released October 3 on the 20th anniversary of the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement.
Diversity of the Ports-of-Entry Along the 49th Parallel
Border Policy Research Institute
Western Washington University
September 2007
This article discusses some traits of the ports-of-entry arrayed along the Canada - U.S. land border. The article focuses upon that portion of the border commonly referred to as the "49th parallel," omitting discussion of the Canada - Alaska border. Discussion is also focused solely upon the usage of the ports by personal vehicles. Our intent is to reveal something about the "border experience" over the past decade, spanning the period in which post-9/11 border security measures have been deployed.
Travel between Canada and other countries
Statistics Canada
September 20, 2007
After four consecutive months of growth, overnight travel from the United States fell to its lowest level in over four years in July.
Americans made only 1.1 million overnight trips to Canada in July, about 81,000 fewer than in June. This was equivalent to a 7.1% decline, which was the fastest in over four years.
Easing the Chokepoints
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
August 30, 2007
Urgent action is needed to reduce restrictions to trade and travel between the largest trading partners in the world - Canada and the US. This according to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce in the release of the third in a series of reports about the challenges facing the Canada-US border. Easing the Chokepoints, A Plan for an Efficient Canada-US Border, describes cross border traffic which is fraught with delays, regulatory entanglements and aging infrastructure with no long term plan in sight. The report contains a comprehensive set of recommendations, informed by surveys, interviews, research and expert opinion.
2007-2008 Border Policies
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce
June 21, 2007
Thousands of Southern Ontarians cross into Western New York to attend local colleges, visit hospitals, use the airport and attend sporting events. Western New Yorkers head to Ontario for recreation, to visit vacation homes and to provide banking and legal services to Ontario businesses. These are among the findings unveiled June 14 by the University at Buffalo Regional Institute at a briefing for its Region's Edge research initiative, which seeks to build understanding of the scope and significance of the cross-border network encompassing the Western New York-Southern Ontario region.
Is Just-In-Case Replacing Just-In-Time? How Cross-Border Trading Behaviour Has Changed Since 9/11
The Conference Board of Canada
June 2007
This briefing provides interview evidence that many Canadian exporters appear to have changed the way they go about trading as a result of the post-9/11 border environment. Many have shifted away from previously preferred and more efficient practices, in some cases slipping into behaviours not seen since before the Canada—U.S. free trade agreement. These responses may indicate an erosion of the greater U.S. market access gained under that agreement. In a highly competitive international environment—and with a high Canadian dollar—any erosion of Canada's access to the U.S. market can make it less attractive for companies to buy Canadian inputs or locate production in Canada, ultimately diminishing Canadian living standards.
Defining the Region's Edge
The University of Buffalo Regional Institute
June 2007
The binational region surrounding the Niagara River is unique among U.S.-Canada border regions for the size and density of its population and cross-border interactions. Analysis of previously fragmentary data reveals the complex and interdependent character of the region's cross-border linkages. Further developing our understanding of the region will assist in efforts to harness the advantage of being a binational region in a globalized world.
Everybody Wins - Why Growing the Port of Halifax Matters to Moncton ( . . .and Saint John, Amherst, Bangor . . )
Atlantic Institute for Market Studies
June 2007
Everybody Wins: Why Growing the Port of Halifax Matters to Moncton (and Saint John, Amherst, Bangor . . ) shows that the Halifax cluster consists of direct and support services for transportation providers, along with port-led industry, warehousing and distribution in the Halfiax area. It also reveals that there is less participation locally in such industries than one would expect from a container port. However, a more balanced picture emerges when the catchment area is expanded to include the broader Atlantica region.
Sustainability and the Border
The Border Policy Research Institute
May 2007
This article reflects upon how the concept of sustainability relates to the Canada—U.S. border. How does the border contribute to sustainability? In what ways is sustainability hindered by the border? In the Pacific Northwest, sustainability is an increasingly important collaborative goal of state and provincial governments, so consideration of these questions is worthwhile.
International travel account
Statistics Canada
May 29, 2007
Canada's international travel deficit narrowed during the first three months of 2007, as a result of the first decline in spending in a year and a half by Canadians travelling abroad. The deficit had hit a record high at the end of 2006.
Canada's Changing Role in Global Supply Chains
The Conference Board of Canada
March 2007
Companies are reorienting along global and regional supply chains. This report looks at how Canada fits into global supply chains and where others fit into Canadian production—and what it means for decision-makers.
Ontario Perceptions on US Passport Requirement
SES/Osprey Media
March 26, 2007
Americans Keen on Security and Border Co-operation with Canada
SES Research/University at Buffalo
February 26, 2007
Travel Between Canada and Other Countries
Statistics Canada
February 20, 2007
This new release from Statistics Canada reveals that travel to Canada climbed to a five-month high in December, with gains in both same-day and overnight travel from the United States, as well as increased travel from overseas. According to StatsCan, residents of the United States took an estimated 1.1 million same-day car trips to Canada in December, up 2.5% from November. This was the second consecutive monthly increase. Travel from overseas countries also increased, reaching its highest monthly level in over two years in December, a 2.5% gain to 389,000. Travel from the United Kingdom, Canada's most important overseas market, increased slightly to 74,000. Among the top 12 markets, only Japan recorded a decline in travel to Canada (-3.7%), while travel from Taiwan soared 36.0%.
Statistics Canada: International travel account, third quarter 2006
Statistics Canada
November 28, 2006
Increased spending by Canadians abroad pushed Canada's international travel deficit to its highest level ever in the third quarter, edging out the previous high observed nearly 15 years ago.
July 20th U.S.-Canada Mayors' WHTI Summit in Windsor, Ontario
The City of Windsor, Ontario
July 20, 2006
The City of Windsor web site that includes all the Summit material, presentations, follow-up media and reports.
The Government Accountability Office
The Government Accountability Office
May 25, 2006
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has produced several reports on WHTI, including "Observations on Efforts to Implement the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative on the U.S. Border with Canada" in May 2006. Select one of the options below to view the full report.
PDF
Abstract
Accessible Text
The Canadian Supply Chain Efficiency Smart Border Study
Industry Canada
April 2004
The fallout from September 11, 2001 has resulted in a crisis for Canadian industries in moving goods across the border to the United States (U.S.). The study partners initiated this effort through the Lean Logistics Technology Roadmap (LLTRM) project. The survey results analysis and the study report have been developed in partnership between Supply Chain & Logistics Canada (SCL) and Industry Canada (IC) via an industry led committee.
The Policy Research Initiative
Policy Research Initiative
The Policy Research Initiative conducts research in support of the Government of Canada's medium term agenda. Its core mandate is to advance research on emerging horizontal issues, and to ensure the effective transfer of acquired knowledge to policy-makers. The North American Linkages program explores three specific policy challenges for Canada:
- International Regulatory Co-operation
- Moving Toward a Customs Union
- The Emergence of Cross-Border Regions
Logistics and Supply Chain Management (SCM) Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Analysis
Industry Canada
The objective of this study is to propose a Logistics and SCM key performance indicators (KPI) analysis that can be used as a benchmarking tool for firms and policy makers. This analysis will help firms understand where they are located with respect to leading enterprises, as well as firms within their own sector and the U.S and what steps they must undertake in order to become more competitive.
Supply Chain Perspective in 250 manufacturing, 30 wholesale and 70 retail sectors (Canada/US):
- Canada/United States
- Manufacturing
- Retail and Consumer Product Goods
- Aerospace Sector
- Pharmaceutical Sector
- Automotive Sector
Établissements d'enseignement et centre d'études et de recherche
Association for Canadian Studies in the United States
The Association for Canadian Studies in the United States (ACSUS), a multidisciplinary association of scholars, professionals, and institutions, is dedicated to improving understanding of Canada in the United States.
Border Policy Research Institute
Western Washington University
Building North America Resources for Teaching and Research
Arizona State University
Canadian Studies Program
The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies
Johns Hopkins University
Canadian Studies Center
Bowling Green State University
Canadian Studies Centre
Michigan State University
Canada-United States Law Institute
Case Western Reserve University School of Law & University of Western Ontario Faculty of Law
Center for American Progress
Homeland Security
Center for North American Studies
American University
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Americas Program
Homeland Security Policy Institute
George Washington University
RAND Corporation
Terrorism and Homeland Security
Regional Institute
The University at Buffalo
The Heritage Foundation
Immigration, Citizenship & Border Security
The Migration Policy Institute (MPI)
The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank in Washington, DC dedicated to the study of the movement of people worldwide.
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Canada Institute
