Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Joe Biden take part in a meeting on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa, Friday, March 24, 2023. (Photo: Canadian Press)

By Canadian Press

Biden and Trudeau announce updates on cross-border migration, Norad, green economy

Mar 24, 2023 | 3:53 PM

OTTAWA- U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau say in a joint statement they are bolstering Norad, updating a treaty on cross-border asylum seekers and launching a one-year energy transformation task force.

They are also pointing to new spending on alternative fuel corridors, critical minerals, semiconductor projects, Great Lakes conservation and Arctic radar.

The joint statement confirms that the Safe Third Country Agreement will be applied between official ports of entry along the entire Canada-United States border, and that Canada will take in 15,000 more migrants from the Western Hemisphere over the next year.

It says Canada will spend $6.96 billion on surveillance system modernization in the North and another $7.3 billion toward aircraft, refuelling and airfield improvements ahead of its procurement of F-35 fighter jets, with Trudeau saying the money will come from planned investments.

According to the statement, the energy task force, to be chaired by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and the U.S. special presidential co-ordinator for global infrastructure, will focus on renewable energy, electric vehicles, critical minerals and nuclear energy.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

18h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

The statement also commits both countries to achieving net-zero power grids by 2035 and building a network of electric-vehicle chargers on both sides of the border.

Biden and Trudeau are condemning Russia’s war in Ukraine and says China poses a “serious long-term challenge to the international order,” but it does not announce new measures for Haiti despite acknowledging the country’s “deteriorating security.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 24, 2023.

The Canadian Press