Canada-U.S. 'Beyond the Border' project beset by delays

Source: CBC News

A project meant to make it easier for trade and travel across the Canada-U.S. border is behind schedule, and can't even spend the millions of dollars allocated to it, according to a status report released today.

The Beyond the Border program was so important that Prime Minister Stephen Harper flew down to Washington, D.C., to announce it standing next to President Barack Obama.

But the report, released today, suggests major IT problems are leading to delays. With more than $117 million budgeted for 2012/13, only $49 million has been spent to streamline regulations and eliminate border delays.

Under one heading, "Addressing threats early," more than $47 million was reallocated from one department to another.



Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-u-s-beyond-the-border-project-beset-by-delays-1.2445809

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Nov 29, 2013 5:30 PM ET| Last Updated: Nov 29, 2013 7:29 PM ET

http://i.cbc.ca/1.2445796.1385762596!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/harper-and-obama-agree-on-border-deal.jpg

(Picture says it all: Give me a call when you retire)
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, left, and U.S. President Barack Obama shook hands on a Beyond the Border deal in Washington in December 2011. But a new report by Public Safety Canada says Canada is behind in implementing parts of the deal. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)