Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer Speaks At Homeland Security Policy Institute

May 25, 2010 - PRLog -- WASHINGTON — On Monday, May 24, 2010, The George Washington University Homeland Security Policy Institute (HSPI) welcomed Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer as part of HSPI’s ongoing Ambassadors Roundtable Series on International Collaboration to Combat Terrorism and Insurgencies.  Frank Cilluffo, HSPI’s Director, moderated the discussion.

Ambassador Doer began his remarks by noting the extremely close relationship enjoyed by the United States and Canada.  Doer highlighted the fact that when it comes to the US, Canada buys more goods, sends more tourists, and supplies more oil than any other nation.  In the realm of security, the Ambassador noted that the two nations work particularly closely to coordinate and, where appropriate, even harmonize their policies.  As an example, Doer pointed to the recent Winter Olympics in Vancouver.  “It was a classic example of cooperation between the intelligence agencies and police agencies of the United States and of Canada – and of course a lot of that was run out of NORAD [North American Aerospace Defense Command] in Colorado Springs.”

Mr. Cilluffo opened the roundtable discussion by asking about aviation security and whether the longstanding relationship between American and Canadian law enforcement and intelligence services ought to be extended even further.  “Should passenger name records, airline passenger lists, and no-fly lists be synchronized?  Would you support sharing such watch-list information among the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Great Britain?”  Ambassador Doer noted that aviation security and intelligence had been discussed at the highest levels of both governments – long before the Christmas Day attempted bombing of Detroit flight 253.  Doer said that agreements in principle had been reached, but that protocols for operationalization had yet to be worked out.  He stressed, however, Canada’s commitment to sharing counterterrorism information with the United States.

During the roundtable discussion, audience members raised a range of questions.  Randall Larsen, of the WMD Center, asked about balancing the requirements of border security with those of commerce.  The Ambassador responded by noting that Canada was prepared to expand border infrastructure in order to reduce congestion.  When John Hooper, of the US Coast Guard, inquired about Arctic security, Doer mentioned that this summer the US and Canada will conduct joint naval exercises in the Arctic.  Sharinna Sarmiento, of Dice International, posed questions about environmental policies.  Doer replied by highlighting Canada’s commitment to clean air, clean water, and renewable energy – and the fact that Canada is a reliable, democratic, and secure supplier of energy to the US.  Asked by Hillary Johnson, of the US State Department, about Canada’s security concerns, Doer spoke at length about Canada’s security work in Afghanistan.  The Ambassador also referenced Canada’s commitment to working with the US and the international community in regard to Iran; and cited Canada’s role in the investigation and reports regarding North Korea’s sinking of a South Korean warship.

See HSPI’s event page for an audio recording of the event, background resources, and a biography of our speaker: http://www.gwumc.edu/hspi/events/canadaART.cfm.

About HSPI’s Ambassadors Roundtable Series:

HSPI's Ambassadors Roundtable Series is designed to provide Ambassadors to the United States and their key diplomatic staff with a forum to discuss current and future counterterrorism and counterinsurgency efforts on a regional or country-specific basis. In an effort to draw upon various insights and experiences, the Ambassadors Roundtable Series builds upon and institutionalizes efforts over the past few years to engage in a dialogue with members of the international community, policy makers, and practitioners.

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About the GW Homeland Security Policy Institute:

Founded in 2003, The George Washington University Homeland Security Policy Institute (HSPI) is a nonpartisan “think and do” tank whose mission is to build bridges between theory and practice to advance homeland security through an interdisciplinary approach. By convening domestic and international policymakers and practitioners at all levels of government, the private and non-profit sectors, and academia, HSPI creates innovative strategies and solutions to current and future threats to the nation. For additional information about HSPI, please visit http://www.gwumc.edu/hspi/index.cfm