Canada and the United States share geographically the longest undefended

international border in the world

http://www.regional.niagara.on.ca/more/images/200934.jpg

Peace Bridge – connects Buffalo, NY – Fort Erie, CA

http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/techdocs/pdf_images/4624e-1.gif

Ambassador Bridge – connects Detroit, MI – Windsor, ON

CONGESTION & WAIT TIMES!

U.S. – Canada Border Issues (CONT)

•THE PARADOX OF WAITING IN AN EXPEDITED WORLD. BORDER CROSSINGS. SOME VERY CROWDED, OTHERS IN THE WOODS, VERY RURAL.

•DO YOU REALLY NEED A PASSPORT? ENHANCED DRIVER’S LICENSE.

•EFFORTS TO MAKE BORDERS MORE SECURE AFTER 9/11.

•TERRORIST ENTRY INTO UNITED STATES? SMUGGLING, IMMIGRATION.

•EXCHANGE RATE IMPACTS. CASINO GAMBLING (NIAGRA FALLS, ONT)

•NAFTA AND THE BALANCE OF TRADE.

•POPULATION GEOGRAPHY – MOST CANADIENS LIVE ALONG THE BORDER WITH THE UNITED STATES. MAJOR ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL IMPACTS RELATED TO EASE OF MOVEMENT ACROSS BORDER HISTORICALLY.

Can you tell the difference when you cross the border? Not really…

•Language issue between French and English on the border between Quebec and NY State.

•English language television spilling over into Quebec.

•How can Quebec keep their French culture while being so close to the United States?

•Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative – Enhanced Driver’s License acts the same as a passport for ease of movement.

Impact of UNCLOS on U.S./Canadian Relations

Law of the Sea - US has signed but not ratified.

•Each State controls a 200 mile nautical mile EEZ.

•Exclusive rights to a State to explore and produce minerals, including oil and gas.

•Fishing rights.

•Article 76 of the Law of the Sea. George’s Bank (Nova Scotia and Maine)

Great Lakes specifically:•Great Lakes Compact

U.S. Canada Border at Great Lakes –Great Lakes Compact

• Great Lakes Compact - eight Great Lakes states and the Canadian Provinces of Quebec and Ontario.

• Other states and foreign countries can not tap into the Great Lakes' water supply, with certain exceptions.

• Great Lakes Commission regulates

their own water use, promotes conservation of the lakes.

• Motivation - failed attempt in 1998 by a Canadian company to export up to 158,000,000 gallons of water each year to Asian countries.http://aquadoc.typepad.com/waterwired/2008/07/great-lakes.html

Canadian-U.S. border town of Derby Line, VT.

Keith B. Richburg - The Washington Post

Proximity of border is so close that some streets simply mark the frontier with a notice on the pavement. Not really an impediment to movement.

Google earth image shows geometric Boundary between U.S. and Canada.