Trade between Québec and the United States has grown dramatically since the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 1989 and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994. In 2005, total trade was estimated at CAN$82.7 billion. Over 75% of Québec exports to the north-eastern US are transported by truck. Each
year, almost 2 million trucks travel from Québec to the United States, including 1.5 million that use one of the four main border crossings to the US:
Lacolle/Champlain (New York), A-15/I-87
Saint-Armand-de-Philipsburg/Highgate (Vermont), Road 133/I-89
Stanstead/Derby Line (Vermont), A-55/I-91
Armstrong/Jackman (Maine), Road 173/Road 201
Since Québec’s economic prosperity depends in large part on trade with the United States, the Government of Québec gives high priority, within the areas under its jurisdiction, to strengthening cooperation with its American neighbour. In the case of transportation, the ministère des Transports du Québec (MTQ) cooperates with bordering states to ensure the free flow of people and merchandise over the border while meeting new security requirements. The MTQ also participates in continental efforts to harmonize Canadian and American trucking policies and regulations to ensure the safety of all highway users and to maintain a fair competitive balance in the transportation industry.
Improving Cross-Border Transportation
Maintaining a secure, open, and free-flowing Canada/U.S. border is a priority for the Government of Québec. Even before September 11, 2001, the Government of Québec took numerous steps to improve transportation infrastructures and services and increase the safety and fluidity of trans-border crossings. These measures include the introduction of intelligent transportation systems and the construction of new traffic lanes.
Under the Smart Border Action Plan, American and Canadian federal authorities have deployed the Fast Transit Facilitation Program at Lacolle, Saint-Armand-de-Philipsburg and Stanstead border crossings. The Nexus program has been implemented at Lacolle and Saint-Armand-de-Philipsburg.
In addition to helping implement these programs, the MTQ has modified infrastructures at the Lacolle border crossing to improve the traffic flow for all types of vehicles and improve access for Fast program participants. Other improvements are planned for the border crossings at Saint-Armand-de-Philipsburg, Stanstead and Armstrong. Last, the Government intends to increase its efforts to ensure that Québec businesses participate in and comply with the requirements of various border-crossing programs.
Québec has played an active role in several projects to improve the main north-south trade corridors and in the implementation of the Smart Border. The governments of Québec and Canada have invested over CAN$70 million to improve the Québec–New York trade corridor. The Government of Québec also supports the work of the private sector to develop a Québec–New England trade corridor.
Cooperation With Neighboring States
The MTQ has been collaborating for many years with the states of New York, Vermont and Maine, notably through bilateral and multilateral working groups. Discussions focus on the following areas:
Improving highway infrastructures at and around border crossings, notably the Québec–New York trade corridor (A-15/I-87)
Improving border crossing procedures and dealing with other highway matters (security measures, cooperation with the two federal governments and other partners)
Exchanging information and expertise, notably on intermodal and rail transportation
Making optimum use of technology
Using Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), notably for border crossing traffic management
Through their joint actions, Québec and its American partners also support cooperation between the numerous Canadian and American federal agencies involved in border projects.
Participation in Regional Forums
In addition to bilateral cooperation with bordering states, the MTQ actively participates in the work of various regional transportation forums:
Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers – Standing Committee on Trade Cooperation
Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials (NASTO)
Eastern Border Transportation Coalition (EBTC)
Transportation Border Working Group (TBWG), which is co-chaired by Transport Canada and the U.S. Department of Transportation
I-95 Corridor Coalition
Canadian American Border Trade Alliance (CanAm BTA)
Great Lakes Commission and other agencies and organizations with an interest in the St. Lawrence-Great Lakes system
