The U.S.-Canada Mayors Summit on WHTI, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, called for more effective border security that preserves the close relations between Canada and the United States and the free flow of people across the border.

The Summit called on the government of the United States to delay the implementation of WHTI, which would require passports or other combination of documents for everyone entering the United States.

Mayor Eddie Francis of Windsor, Ont. said, Cities and communities on both sides of the border, like Detroit and Windsor, have a long history of friendship, business, institutional and educational relationships that benefit both countries. We recognize the need for border security, but WHTI as proposed could do serious damage to these relationships. We need time to get this solution right.

The Summit expressed support for improved border security that maintains and strengthens these relationships and urged the governments of Canada and the United States to include cities and communities in developing solutions.

Toronto may not be located on the border with the United States, said Toronto Mayor David Miller, but we are a border city and we consider the cities on the other side of the border as our friends and neighbors. The very discussion of WHTI is already having a significant impact on the city of Toronto. Cities must have a role in developing effective solutions to ensure border security.

The Summit called on both federal governments to include cities and communities in developing solutions for more effective border security that will continue and strengthen cross-border relationships.

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick underlined the many benefits of the free flow of people between boarder communities. We need the border open to allow the economic and cultural vibrancy of both countries to continue to flourish. Local municipalities must have a voice. We want to make sure that people know that we are joined at the hip on this issue.

In a letter to the Summit, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley said, International travel is essential to the economies of both the United States and Canada. In recent years, we have faced new challenges in ensuring that the free exchange of goods culture and ideas between our nations remains strong and continues to grow.

Americans are our friends our neighbours and our trading partners, said Dwight Duncan, Ontario Minister of Energy and MPP for Windsor. It is essential to find creative solutions to keep the border free and open.

The Summit was co-hosted by Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick of Detroit, Mich., and Mayor David Miller of Toronto, Ont., and was attended by more than 60 mayors, government and officials, and business representatives from Canada and the United States.

The loss of trust between friends is too great a risk to take, said FCM President Gloria Kovach, a Guelph, Ont., councillor. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative deadline is only 18 months away and there hasn`t been time for proper discussion.

The Summit adopted the following principles:

• Allow uninhibited legitimate flow of people



• Provide readily available, accessible and low cost documents



• Improve capacity and accessibility of FAST/NEXUS



• Acceptance of a combination of documents, driver`s license with birth certificates and/or another secondary document



• Short term passes available for discretionary/spontaneous travelers



• WHTI option for Canadian citizens



• Special consideration for minors



• Extend implementation of WHTI



• Set voluntary pilot project



• U.S. government undertake a cost/benefit analysis



• Engage Canadian Government



• Engage the public - Communications/Marketing plan