Border fixes needed to help businesses

After two years of disappointing progress, businesses are still waiting for the better border trade rules promised by Canada and U.S. policy makers, says John Manley, president and CEO of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE).

An historic opportunity to make border clearance and regulatory processes more efficient and predictable is slipping away, Manley says.

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The overall goal of the border changes was to promote economic growth, job creation and competitiveness by streamlining cross-border travel and trade. “From reducing the burden of duplicative paperwork for large shippers to expanding our trusted traveler program to include Mexico, we have a long way to go to improve North American border efficiency,” says Manley. Read: 5 tips to help cross-border clients

In 2012, the two governments took preliminary steps toward that goal but the rate of progress since then has been disappointing, he says. “In practical terms, Beyond the Border has yet to improve the experience at the border for shippers and business travelers to any significant degree,” he adds.

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Staff

The staff of Advisor.ca have been covering news for financial advisors since 1998.