"The Detroit Region has a tradition of open borders with Canada. While we recognize the need for heightened security, we want to avoid policies that focus only on national security but ignore economic security," said Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO, Richard E. Blouse Jr., regarding new border identification requirements. "We are pleased that other options besides passports are being considered as part of the planning process."
Frank Moss, deputy assistant secretary for consular affairs, provided remarks on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: According to law stemming from the federal 9/11 Commission last summer, by January 1, 2008, travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada will be required to have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all people, including United States citizens, entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere, including those at land borders who do not currently possess valid passports.
Fear of losing spontaneous visitors to their regions, due to the cost and time associated with acquiring a passport for border crossing, is a key concern for the Detroit and Windsor organizations. As an alternative, Michigan's Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land is currently exploring the possibility of integrating some passport requirements into new federal driver's license requirements passed this spring through the federal REAL-ID Act as another option for adhering to 9/11 Commission identification requirements.
The Ambassador Bridge, Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, and Blue Water Bridge are among the busiest border crossings in the world. Annually, one million Canadians travel to Michigan, with an impact on the state's economy of more than $166 million. Each year 1.7 million Michiganders visit Canada, with an economic impact of more than $474 million.
"These figures are significant when it comes to Canadian and U.S. border communities. We cannot think in terms of who wins or loses more," stated Linda Smith, president, Windsor & District Chamber of Commerce. "The bottom line is that we rely on each other and have developed together over time. When you talk about making it harder to cross the border, we both stand to lose."
"We are very supportive of State of Michigan and Canadian government efforts to explore ways to create one-stop-shops for people interested in visiting neighboring countries," noted Blouse. "We want to continue to market ourselves as an international business hub to companies interested in bringing jobs to the region."
The Detroit and Windsor meetings also included an update on the US-VISIT Program. Bob Mocny, deputy director US-VISIT, Department of Homeland Security talked about development of automated entry and exit procedures at land border ports of entry. One topic related to the modernization of the U.S. border and immigration management system, including biometric and radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies.
Leaders of the Detroit Regional Chamber and Windsor & District Chamber of Commerce agree that there have been few reported glitches involving the US- VISIT system, which has been implemented in phases since January 2004 and has been in place in Detroit since December 2004.
"There are concessions we have to make for the sake of security," said Smith. "We just have to be careful that, in the interests of security, we do not forget the importance of trade and tourism between our countries. As long as we remember that, we can look forward to a very prosperous future together."
With more than 21,000 members, the Detroit Regional Chamber is the largest chamber of commerce in the country. The Chamber's mission -- to lead business growth and member success -- is carried out through business attraction efforts, public policy advocacy, strategic partnerships and quality products and services for members.
As the "Voice of Business," the Windsor & District Chamber of Commerce represents over 1,400 business members who collectively employ more than 80,000 people. Its membership profile truly represents a cross-section of the business interests in the community. It actively works with government to ensure that the business and investment climate in the region remains competitive and believes that any issues that restrict the ability to attract new business or expand existing business must be resolved.
