Ministers Blaney and Alexander open the Five Country Conference on migration and security

QUÉBEC CITY, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - April 28, 2014) - Government of Canada

The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander, today welcomed immigration officials from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States for a four-day meeting.

As long-time allies and partners, the five countries work together on a number of common issues, including irregular migration, transnational crime, terrorism threats and immigration fraud, while facilitating legitimate travel. The Five Country Conference (FCC) meeting provides border and immigration leaders with the opportunity to share their experience and expertise and to explore more ways of working smarter collectively to benefit their respective citizens. In particular, officials will discuss how they can work together to make travel as efficient as possible by minimizing unnecessary interventions for low-risk travellers, while continuing to maintain the integrity of our border management programs and the safety of our citizens.

Quick Facts

• The FCC aims to enhance the integrity, security and efficiency of immigration and border services and to improve client service across all five countries.
• Key FCC initiatives include encouraging participating countries to use fingerprints and digital photographs to screen immigration applicants as a means to accurately and effectively establish the identity of travellers.
• As well, strategic immigration information sharing improves the ability of each country to facilitate genuine travellers, while helping to identify inadmissible individuals who otherwise may go undetected.
• Canada's participation supports implementation of the Beyond the Border Action Plan announced by Prime Minister Harper and U.S. President Obama.

Quotes

"We are working with our international partners to ensure that our borders remain open gateways to freedom and prosperity, but closed barriers to criminals, terrorists and other threats. As the Minister responsible for the Canada Border Services Agency, I am pleased with the work the CBSA continues to do, in an increasingly interconnected world, to keep our citizens safe and our economy strong."

Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

"Like our international partners, the Government of Canada strives to provide international travellers with flexible, fast and convenient options to come to Canada, while ensuring the safety of Canadians and the integrity of our immigration system. Through the FCC, our government continues to promote legitimate trade and travel while ensuring Canada's borders remain protected."

Chris Alexander, Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister

Associated Links

Five Country Conference: https://www.fivecountryconference.org/

Follow Public Safety Canada (@Safety_Canada), CBSA (@CanBorder) and CIC (@CitlmmCanada) on Twitter.

For more information, please visit the website www.canada.gc.ca.