Former U.S. Homeland Security chief defends Canada border security
{{date|May 12, 2005}}

[[Image:Flag of Canada.svg|thumb|right|140px|Canadian flag]]
In a speech to business leaders in [[w:Toronto|Toronto, Canada]] Wednesday, Former [[w:United States Department of Homeland Security|Homeland Security]] Secretary [[w:Tom Ridge|Tom Ridge]] contradicted a view that the [[w:Canada|Canadian]] border security system is weak. Rather, he praised the role of Canada in protecting the U.S./Canadian border.

"I don't accept the thesis that Canada is lenient or hasn't done what it needs to do to advance their interest and doing their share to combat terrorism... The law enforcement and intelligence community collaboration is excellent."

The U.S. border with Canada is 4,000 miles long, twice as long as its border with [[w:Mexico|Mexico]].

Since [[w:September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11, 2001]], $8 billion has been spent by Canada on border security improvements.  Canada plans to spend an additional $1 billion in the coming year.

==Sources==

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{{source|
url=http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050512/ap_on_re_ca/canada_security_1|title=Ridge: Canada's Security System Isn't Lax|author=Associated Press|pub=Yahoo News|date=May 11, 2005}}
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{{source|url=http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050512/ap_on_re_ca/canada_security_1|title=Canada doing its part|author=Canadian Press|pub=Globe and Mail|date=May 12, 2005}}

 
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[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Canada]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Crime and law]]
[[Category:published]]
Canadian flag
In a speech to business leaders in Toronto, Canada Wednesday, Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge contradicted a view that the Canadian border security system is weak. Rather, he praised the role of Canada in protecting the U.S./Canadian border.

"I don't accept the thesis that Canada is lenient or hasn't done what it needs to do to advance their interest and doing their share to combat terrorism... The law enforcement and intelligence community collaboration is excellent."

The U.S. border with Canada is 4,000 miles long, twice as long as its border with Mexico.

Since September 11, 2001, $8 billion has been spent by Canada on border security improvements.  Canada plans to spend an additional $1 billion in the coming year.
North America Canada United States Crime and law published