Canada and the United States have a long history of cooperation in everything from auto manufacturing and environmental protection to border security and defence. With so much ongoing collaboration between our 2 countries, the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of better harmonizing our regulatory processes for people and businesses on both sides of the border.
The Regulatory Cooperation Council
That’s why we created the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council in February 2011. The council brings together regulatory departments and agencies from Canada and the United States to minimize unnecessary regulatory differences. Since its foundation, it has taken major steps towards this goal.
For example, it has been harmonizing energy-efficiency standards for products such as refrigerators and air conditioners, and these efforts could save Canadians about $1.8 billion in energy costs by 2030. More recently, it has contributed to aligning the safety standards for lights on vehicles to make driving safer. These are just a couple of the council’s successes, but there is much more our 2 countries can do together.
Moving forward
On June 4, I took part in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with our partners in the US Office of Management and Budget. This MoU sets the foundation for the ongoing work and growth of the council as a practical and proven forum for resolving regulatory barriers and improving business investment between Canada and the United States.
Our 2 countries have a long-standing and successful relationship in regulatory cooperation that promotes economic competitiveness while maintaining high standards for health, safety and the environment.
Better regulatory alignment creates benefits for consumers and businesses in both countries. Consumers benefit from improving the timeliness and range of products available on the market, as well as from consistent safety standards and higher product quality. Businesses benefit from the removal of unnecessary costs and duplicate requirements, as well as better access to markets. It is also a powerful driver of innovation and a key Government of Canada commitment to businesses.
Better regulatory cooperation is good for people, prosperity and progress in both our countries, and is an important way Canada and the United States can move forward together.
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Comments
I’ve only read the basics of Minister Brison’s Ideals.
Submitted by Bonnie Schram … on August 30, 2018 - 10:01 AM