U.S., Canada must both step up to border challenge

President Bush is trying to ease the strains on U.S.-Canadian relations caused by the Sept. 11 attacks on America and people from around the world.

The president and Canada’s prime minister, Jean Chretien, met at the White House on Monday. They issued conciliatory statements, particularly from Mr. Bush who strongly praised the effforts of the Canadian government against terrorism.

From British Columbia to eastern Canada, the attacks have brought long waits at border crossings. Waits of several hours are common for people trying to enter Washington state near Vancouver, British Columbia.

For areas on both sides of the border, that creates economic problems. In Canada, long lines for trucks also is having an impact on the nation’s overall scale of exports to the United States.

Some of the problem — and the solution — lies with America. Recent administrations have been shockingly inattentive to the needs for greater staffing at customs checkpoints. . Even in good times, there were often 30 minute to half-hour waits on the understaffed U.S. side of the border with Canada. Much of the trouble was because we had shifted so many personnel to the Mexican border (in the aftershock of Sept. 11, the exact motive of that obsession must seem a little obscure even to those politicians who were most worried about hard-working, decent Mexican immigrants).

Now, in a crisis, the northern border must be tightened. Since we are starting from such a weak point, the belated U.S. efforts are having severe impacts on people living along both sides of the border. There should be some help, however, from the $20 million that is being sent as emergency help to the U.S. Customs Service.

Canada, however, has much to do itself to improve security against terrorism. Its lax practices with regard to immigrants have created a situation in which Canadian security officials say there are 4,000 people known to be associated with terrorists organizations as scattered as the Irish Republican Army and the Tamil Tigers. A good number are associated with Middle Eastern organizations. Chretien is working on some changes, although he appears rather sadly eager to avoid offending the sector of Canadians who jump at any chance to complain that the United States is bossing them around.

As sovereign nations, Canada and the United States have to make their own decisions. We Americans can hardly pretend that we have some perfect immigration system to guide the Canadians, who often deserve credit for their compassionate decisions along with the criticism for their laxness. But by strengthening our own border staffing and maintaining friendly ties to a great neighbor, we can work with Canada to improve both countries’ mutual security.

President Bush is doing what he can to help the relationship. His country will expect Chretien’s government to move forward as well.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

RGB version
Editorial cartoons for Saturday, April 26

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

County Council members Jared Mead, left, and Nate Nehring speak to students on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, during Civic Education Day at the Snohomish County Campus in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Editorial: Students get a life lesson in building bridges

Two county officials’ civics campaign is showing the possibilities of discourse and government.

Roberts: Gutting of scientific research will leave us blind

The Trump administration’s deep cuts to science and research will harm our economy and environment.

Comment: Funding delays jeopardize research of healthy aging

A freeze of NIH funding threatens research into aging and Alzheimer’s at the UW School of Medicine.

Comment: Meaningful law on rent requires bill’s earlier version

As lawmakers seek a deal, rent stabilization should keep a 7 percent cap and apply to single homes.

Forum: Trump cuts to museum funding hit Imagine Children’s

The defunding of a museum and library program means the loss of a science lab for preschoolers.

Forum: We strive for Belonging, then keep it to ourselves

From childhood we treat Belonging as something to be jealously guarded. What if others belong, too?

Comment: Higher tax on tobacco pouches could backfire

A proposed 95 percent tax on smokeless tobacco could lead some back to more dangerous cigarettes.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, April 25

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

FILE - This Feb. 6, 2015, file photo, shows a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine on a countertop at a pediatrics clinic in Greenbrae, Calif. Washington state lawmakers voted Tuesday, April 23, 2019 to remove parents' ability to claim a personal or philosophical exemption from vaccinating their children for measles, although medical and religious exemptions will remain. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)
Editorial: Commonsense best shot at avoiding measles epidemic

Without vaccination, misinformation, hesitancy and disease could combine for a deadly epidemic.

The Buzz: This week, the makeup tips of political powerbrokers

Who would have guessed that Kitara Revanche and Pete Hegseth used the same brand of concealer?

Schwab: Who saw this coming? said no one but Senate Republicans

Take your pick of agency heads; for those who advise and consent, there was no sign of trouble ahead.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.