McGuinty Urges Ontario And U.S. To Work Together On Border Security And Clean Air
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 16 /CNW/ - Ontario and the United States should
use their long history of friendship and productive trade to find North
American solutions to common challenges, says Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.
"North America's future is Ontario's future, so let's work together to
resolve the great industrial, social, energy, environmental, security and
infrastructure challenges facing the continent," Premier McGuinty said in a
speech to the Canadian American Business Council in Washington, D.C.
Premier McGuinty repeated Ontario's commitment to replace its coal-fired
power generation with clean energy alternatives. In return, he called for
tougher emissions standards for hundreds of old coal-fired electricity plants
that are to be retrofitted in the U.S.
"Let's take a deep breath and get this right for families on both sides
of the border."
Citing deep affection for Ontario's southern neighbor, Premier McGuinty
said: "We've built the mightiest economic relationship in the world, but those
Canadian nurses and firefighters who tried so desperately to get to New York
in the first few days after 9/11 provided a large clue that our relationship
is founded on something deeper than just commerce."
Premier McGuinty said Ontario will continue to play a leadership role in
North American affairs.
"We have been a vocal force for continental cooperation and for ever-
closer ties, because our past shows that what's good for one is good for all."
Premier McGuinty said Ontario and the United States need to work
creatively together to keep the border secure and open.
"Ontario will be a worthy ally in the war on terrorism. We will not allow
ourselves to be used as a base for future terrorism operations against the
United States. We will not be exploited. We will be vigilant."
Yet, Premier McGuinty said: "Border delays are affecting Ontario's
competitiveness, threatening our vital auto connection with Michigan and
cutting sharply into tourism."
"Entire businesses are at stake, and so are jobs, government revenues,
and the important public services and programs they support."
Premier McGuinty repeated his proposal, first made a month ago in
Detroit, of a bi-national zone at the border to facilitate the pre-clearance
of people and goods.
Ontario is the United States' third-largest trading partner, after Canada
and Mexico. Two-way trade between Ontario and the United States amounts to
almost $900 million per day. Millions of jobs on both sides of the border
depend directly on Ontario-U.S. trade.
"Let's strive to be even closer allies, so we can overcome the challenges
we face together, and deliver what our people both want: a prosperous economy,
a secure society and a quality of life that's second to none," Premier
McGuinty said.
