Border advisory council needed to address Canada-U.S. trade challenges: report

SARNIA, Ont. (CP) - The advocate for Ontario's business community is urging the province to create a borders advisory council to help combat costly border delays.
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce says at least 44 different Canadian and U.S. agencies have jurisdiction over border operations.

A report released today by the chamber says more than 4,500 new or revised border regulations are introduced each year by Ottawa and the province.

They say a borders advisory council is needed to bring together governments on both sides of the border to address those concerns and streamline cross-border trade.

The chamber notes that almost 90 per cent of Ontario's exports went south to the U.S. last year.

They say government regulations and deteriorating infrastructure are creating trade challenges that are costing the Ontario economy $5.25 billion a year.

© The Canadian Press, 2007