CANCUN, Mexico (CP) - Canadians need to get used to the fact that they'll soon have to show a passport every time they want to go to the United States, even if it's just by car, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Friday.
Harper acknowledged at the end of two days of meetings with his U.S. and Mexican counterparts that there's no turning back on Washington's plan to demand so-called secure documentation at the border.
He also said little progress was made on other key issues, including softwood lumber.
On both these fronts, President George W. Bush is hamstrung by Congress, which is facing autumn elections. On the border, lawmakers seem content with the legislation as it stands. On softwood, Bush is under intense pressure from senators from states with strong lumber interests.
Harper did have a chance to get to know Bush in their first, face-to-face meeting since Harper took office,.
The prime minister said the Washington won't change on the border.
"I think we all know the consequences: a lot more difficult getting across the border, people finding they don't have documentation whether it's for business or for ordinary travel, they're going to find they do in fact need in the future," Harper said in a news conference following the meeting.
"I'm not sure Canadians are fully aware these requirements are coming."
Federal and provincial governments, along with Canadian business, have been furiously lobbying the United States to back down on legislation that would require all foreign visitors to produce a passport or secure document. It will also require U.S. citizens to carry those documents.
The biggest fear is that the number of Americans coming to Canada to shop, do business or attend conferences will drop drastically once the law comes into force. Only about 20 per cent of Americans have a passport.
"I cannot slow down the goods and services coming across, we depend on an enormous amount of product coming across our borders, so he ability to get it quickly is really key to our success," said Annette Verschuren, CEO of Home Depot Canada.
Officials say a secure" document would have security features that fall somewhere between a drivers license and a passport. The requirement is scheduled to come into effect for sea and air travellers by the end of this year, and by the end of 2007 for land crossings.
President George Bush left no doubt that it's full steam ahead on the plan.
"I intend to enforce that law," he said.
He added that he sympathizes with Canadians.
"Look, I understand this issue has created consternation," he said. "Your prime minister made it very clear to me that he's very worried that such an implementation of the law on the books will make it less likely that people will want to travel between our countries.
"But what I've told the prime minister and I've told President (Vicente) Fox is that we have an obligation to work very closely with our counterparts to provide a set of standards as to what will meet the obligations of the law. I believe this can be done in such a way that makes future travel, future relations stronger, not weaker."
He suggested a kind of swipe card might meet the requirement and actually ease the passage across the border. But even Washington has been unable to define internally what kind of documents its citizens should carry. It's faced with tough opposition to anything remotely resembling a national identity card.
Bush's response on the border issue was characteristic of the entire summit in Mexico. While Bush had lots of kind words for Harper and Canada, his government made no concessions.
On softwood, it was Harper who said he would ask Canadian officials to look at options for a resolution. Bush made no indication that he would meet Canada half way.
So what did Harper accomplish?
At the very least, it was a low-stress introduction to the world of high-level international meetings and, more importantly, a chance to get acquainted with Bush.
He and Bush seemed to have a cordial, friendly relationship and agreed they were coming from the same page when it came to core values.
It's a definite departure from the chill between the White House and prime ministers Jean Chretien and Paul Martin.
Harper's famous reserve was well on display in Cancun. He made no off-the-cuff remarks when speaking publicly, reading mostly from statements and taking great pains to repeat every comment in both French and English.
Bush took note of his all-business style.
"He's a very open, straightforward fella. If he's got a problem he's going to express it in a kind of way that's clear for everyone to understand," Bush remarked Friday. "And that's how I like to deal with people."
Even Harper admitted that he's not exactly one for small talk. In fact, he hinted that he swore during discussions with Bush.
"As some of you may know that sometimes I express myself, believe it or not, not only directly but also colourfully and not suited for public television," Harper told reporters.
Harper must be careful not to appear too chummy with Bush. Canadians have a poor opinion of the president, and in polls seem wary of any moves that seem to indicate Canada is following the U.S.
The third player in the two days of meetings was the outgoing Fox. The Mexican president's term finishes later this year, and he is facing similar difficulties to Canada in gaining any headway with the United States on key issues.
Mexico would like its citizens who work in the United States illegally to be accorded more rights.
Bush backs the idea of a guest-worker program that would allow Mexicans to work legally for a limited period. But, again, he is at the mercy of Congress and fellow Republicans are reluctant to agree to such a plan.
The three leaders agreed to strengthen the nascent Security and Prosperity Partnership. It's an accord that promotes security issues in the hemisphere, as well as examining ways to make North America more competitive in world markets.
One tangible result of the Cancun summit was the creation of a North American Competitiveness Council, a group of business people who will advise governments on trade strategies.
http://start.shaw.ca/start/enCA/News/WorldNewsArticle.htm?src=w033167A.xml
Harper acknowledged at the end of two days of meetings with his U.S. and Mexican counterparts that there's no turning back on Washington's plan to demand so-called secure documentation at the border.
He also said little progress was made on other key issues, including softwood lumber.
On both these fronts, President George W. Bush is hamstrung by Congress, which is facing autumn elections. On the border, lawmakers seem content with the legislation as it stands. On softwood, Bush is under intense pressure from senators from states with strong lumber interests.
Harper did have a chance to get to know Bush in their first, face-to-face meeting since Harper took office,.
The prime minister said the Washington won't change on the border.
"I think we all know the consequences: a lot more difficult getting across the border, people finding they don't have documentation whether it's for business or for ordinary travel, they're going to find they do in fact need in the future," Harper said in a news conference following the meeting.
"I'm not sure Canadians are fully aware these requirements are coming."
Federal and provincial governments, along with Canadian business, have been furiously lobbying the United States to back down on legislation that would require all foreign visitors to produce a passport or secure document. It will also require U.S. citizens to carry those documents.
The biggest fear is that the number of Americans coming to Canada to shop, do business or attend conferences will drop drastically once the law comes into force. Only about 20 per cent of Americans have a passport.
"I cannot slow down the goods and services coming across, we depend on an enormous amount of product coming across our borders, so he ability to get it quickly is really key to our success," said Annette Verschuren, CEO of Home Depot Canada.
Officials say a secure" document would have security features that fall somewhere between a drivers license and a passport. The requirement is scheduled to come into effect for sea and air travellers by the end of this year, and by the end of 2007 for land crossings.
President George Bush left no doubt that it's full steam ahead on the plan.
"I intend to enforce that law," he said.
He added that he sympathizes with Canadians.
"Look, I understand this issue has created consternation," he said. "Your prime minister made it very clear to me that he's very worried that such an implementation of the law on the books will make it less likely that people will want to travel between our countries.
"But what I've told the prime minister and I've told President (Vicente) Fox is that we have an obligation to work very closely with our counterparts to provide a set of standards as to what will meet the obligations of the law. I believe this can be done in such a way that makes future travel, future relations stronger, not weaker."
He suggested a kind of swipe card might meet the requirement and actually ease the passage across the border. But even Washington has been unable to define internally what kind of documents its citizens should carry. It's faced with tough opposition to anything remotely resembling a national identity card.
Bush's response on the border issue was characteristic of the entire summit in Mexico. While Bush had lots of kind words for Harper and Canada, his government made no concessions.
On softwood, it was Harper who said he would ask Canadian officials to look at options for a resolution. Bush made no indication that he would meet Canada half way.
So what did Harper accomplish?
At the very least, it was a low-stress introduction to the world of high-level international meetings and, more importantly, a chance to get acquainted with Bush.
He and Bush seemed to have a cordial, friendly relationship and agreed they were coming from the same page when it came to core values.
It's a definite departure from the chill between the White House and prime ministers Jean Chretien and Paul Martin.
Harper's famous reserve was well on display in Cancun. He made no off-the-cuff remarks when speaking publicly, reading mostly from statements and taking great pains to repeat every comment in both French and English.
Bush took note of his all-business style.
"He's a very open, straightforward fella. If he's got a problem he's going to express it in a kind of way that's clear for everyone to understand," Bush remarked Friday. "And that's how I like to deal with people."
Even Harper admitted that he's not exactly one for small talk. In fact, he hinted that he swore during discussions with Bush.
"As some of you may know that sometimes I express myself, believe it or not, not only directly but also colourfully and not suited for public television," Harper told reporters.
Harper must be careful not to appear too chummy with Bush. Canadians have a poor opinion of the president, and in polls seem wary of any moves that seem to indicate Canada is following the U.S.
The third player in the two days of meetings was the outgoing Fox. The Mexican president's term finishes later this year, and he is facing similar difficulties to Canada in gaining any headway with the United States on key issues.
Mexico would like its citizens who work in the United States illegally to be accorded more rights.
Bush backs the idea of a guest-worker program that would allow Mexicans to work legally for a limited period. But, again, he is at the mercy of Congress and fellow Republicans are reluctant to agree to such a plan.
The three leaders agreed to strengthen the nascent Security and Prosperity Partnership. It's an accord that promotes security issues in the hemisphere, as well as examining ways to make North America more competitive in world markets.
One tangible result of the Cancun summit was the creation of a North American Competitiveness Council, a group of business people who will advise governments on trade strategies.
http://start.shaw.ca/start/enCA/News/WorldNewsArticle.htm?src=w033167A.xml
