Minister LeBlanc Coordinates $120M Cross-Border Trade Technology Enhancement with U.S.

OTTAWA, ON — Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Senior Trade Envoy Dominic LeBlanc announced Thursday that Canada and the United States have agreed to coordinate a $120 million border technology modernization initiative, deploying advanced automated cargo inspection systems across major commercial land ports of entry.

Bi-National Border Modernization and Supply Chain Velocity

The joint plan, developed in parallel with ongoing cross-border trade negotiations, installs high-throughput multi-energy X-ray portals and automated license plate verification systems at the Ambassador Bridge (Windsor-Detroit), Blue Water Bridge (Sarnia-Port Huron), and Pacific Highway (Surrey-Blaine) border crossings. The technology enables the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to scan commercial freight in motion, reducing average customs inspection wait times from 45 minutes to under six minutes per commercial vehicle.

Minister LeBlanc noted that eliminating cross-border freight bottlenecks saves Canadian exporters an estimated $420 million annually in transit logistics overhead.

Supply Chain Security and Trade Protections

Automotive manufacturers and trucking associations strongly welcomed the modernization, stating that real-time digital verification strengthens supply chain security while protecting just-in-time manufacturing schedules.

CBSA and CBP officials affirmed that joint data protocols strictly adhere to national privacy statutes and biometric disclosure protections.

Installation Schedule and Operational Go-Live

Phase-one portal installation will begin at the Ambassador Bridge in October 2026, with full bi-national commercial operational capability scheduled for spring 2027.