Peace Arch border crossing ready for Olympics
Canadian border traffic web cams
USA border traffic wait times
Federal officials don't think the influx of traffic crossing the border for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics in February will be that bad, but they still plan to have up to 10 inspection booths open at the Peace Arch crossing.
The Bellingham Herald
Federal officials don't think the influx of traffic crossing the border for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics in February will be that bad, but they still plan to have up to 10 inspection booths open at the Peace Arch crossing.
"My promise is those booths will be manned so we can get vehicles through," said Michelle James, director of field operations for the local Customs and Border Protection office.
Meanwhile, a projection of traffic volume during the games shows there might not be many additional vehicles on Interstate 5. A revised estimate by the Whatcom Council of Governments, a transportation planning agency, shows the Olympics could result in an additional 2,000 vehicles a day going both directions on I-5.
A majority of those would be "fun seekers," not ticket-holding event spectators, the analysis showed.
That's not a lot, considering I-5 sees as many as 45,000 vehicles a day between Ferndale and Bellingham, and about 26,000 vehicles a day between Ferndale and Blaine, according to the state Department of Transportation.
The quietest month for border crossings is February; the busiest is August. The Olympics could result in traffic equivalent to a busy August day, officials said.
"That's the projection we've been given, again and again," James said.
The new border station at Peace Arch won't be completed until late December 2010, but it will have 10 primary-inspection booths, instead of the eight at the current facility, which is more than three decades old.
Federal officials said they'll have 10 booths open during the Olympics. They're doing that by converting the two lanes on the inside, nearest the station, as through-lanes.
Drivers can take those lanes past the existing inspection stations and be inspected at four new primary inspection stations, which will be where the secondary inspections are now.
If border agents want to conduct a follow-up, secondary inspection and scrutinize somebody more closely, that person will drive through to stations that are nearly complete as part of the new facility.
Two new permanent booths have already been added to the Lynden border crossing, and one has been added to the Sumas crossing.
The Border Policy Research Institute at Western Washington University has released a new report on Canada-U.S. counter-terrorism efforts. Author Bidisha Biswas explores the manner in which cooperation in counter-terrorism has altered the perceptions and behavior of allies of the U.S., with a focus upon Canada's stance in the post-9/11 years. http://www.wwu.edu/bpri/files/2009_Nov_WP_No5.pdf
Tracking Olympic Athletes Online
University of Calgary’s Larry Katz is unveiling a new way for Canadians to keep track of their favourite Winter Olympic athletes or to keep tabs on how the Canadian Olympic teams are performing. Team Canada will face enormous pressure at the 2010 Olympic hockey tournament, and anything short of a Gold Medal will be considered failure.
Who’s up to the challenge? Learn more at - http://www.ucalgary.ca/news/december2009/katz
Heading out of Seattle, the train follows the coastline for 80% of the entire route. If the scenery isn't enough, there are movies to watch, outlets and wireless hook-ups for your laptop, or grab some food in the dining cart.
Experts at Queen's University Make
Economic Predictions
Queen's School of Business professors made their economic
predictions for 2010 at the 28th annual Business Forecast Lunch.
Overall, the Canadian economy appears to be on the mend.
But while the financial markets are rising, consumer confidence
is declining. In 2010, the business world will need strong
management to convert our uncertainty for risk. 2009 was a hard
year for Kingston, and the next three to five years will prove to be a
critical juncture for the city.
http://qnc.queensu.ca/story_loader.php?id=4b1815280e5a6
Winter Packages — Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort
The breathtaking beauty of Washington's Cascade Mountains,
superb cuisine and accommodations in harmony with nature
create a destination like no other. Nestled into the snow-covered
banks of the Icicle River, Sleeping Lady provides the ultimate
base-camp for your next winter adventure. Cross country, downhill,
back country ski and sleigh ride packages available.
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, which is the fastest growing
snowsport in North America, are both available either nearby or on the
Sleeping Lady property.
The Leavenworth Nordic Trail System, just down the road from Sleeping
Lady, offers 26 kilometers of tracks and skating lanes, including three
kilometers of dog-friendly waterfront trails and five kilometers lit for night
skiing. Kahler Glen Resort, Lake Wenatchee State Park and Stevens
Pass offer an additional 63 miles of trails, while the Wenatchee
National Forest maintains another 100 miles of trails. Passes can be
bought at Sleeping Lady's front desk.
BC Premier Campbell and Washington
Governor Gregoire Help Celebrate 10th Annual Canada Gala
SEATTLE (October 30, 2009) – British Columbia Premier
Gordon Campbell and Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire were the honored guests at the 10th Annual Canada-America Society of Washington Gala held Friday, Oct. 9 at the Seattle Sheraton Hotel
The Governor and Premier
shared with the guests their
plans to add another train
running from Portland to
Vancouver, B.C., by the
time of the 2010 Olympics
(see following story).
Additional efforts were
underway to make travel
easier for citizens going north and south across the border.
The Gala is held each year during the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend to strengthen trade relationships between Canada and America and foster a sense of kinship between the two nations, noted Michael Herbst, President of the Canada-America Society. Developed to drive cross-border business in the Northwest, the
Canada-America Society hosts the Gala as a time of
celebration and camaraderie between the two nations. Herbst said that more than 250 guests attended the celebration.
After the opening and speeches, a bagpiper led everyone into the Sheraton’s ball room, beautiful decorated and candle lit. Everyone feasted on the delicious five-course meal. The energy was high
with everyone in good spirits as stories and business enterprises were shared.
The formal portion of the evening ensued with the singing of the Canadian and U.S. national anthems. An excellent speech highlighting the upcoming Olympics was given by the Honorable
Gary Lunn, Canadian Federal Minister of State (Sport) in Premier Stephen Harper’s cabinet and member of Parliament representing Saanich Gulf Islands, BC.
Peter Lloyd, consul general of Canada in Seattle; and Roger Simmons, former Canadian consul general in Seattle were also in attendance.
The annual Gala auction began with Robert Richardson,
Vice President of the Canada-America Society of 
Washington
explaining to potential bidders
that all money raised would
be used to fund schoolarships
for American students to
study in British Columbia.
Richardson’s presentation
was followed with guests
bidding on hotel packages
and vacations to exotic lands.
Those bids and a raise the
paddle ask resulted in several thousand dollars being raised for the scholarship fund.
The night concluded with everyone looking forward to additional social and business events in 2010.
The Canada-America Society of Washington (www.canada-americasociety.org) and the Canada-America Society of Washington
Scholarship Fund organized the Canada Gala in cooperation with the Consulate General of Canada in Seattle and the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle.
The Canada-America Society™ is the premier U.S.-Canada business and social networking organization in Washington. Our mission is
proudly to encourage business relationships between Canadians and Americans, to promote greater understanding between the peoples of
Canada and the United States and to contribute to the goodwill and respective cultures of the two countries.
Surprise Announcment at Gala!
October 21, 2009
The evening started off with the Governor and Premier making an exciting announcement.
In an effort to promote cross border travel and strengthen a long standing partnership, Gov. Chris Gregoire joined British Columbia
Premier Gordon Campbell to celebrate the start of the long awaited second Amtrak Cascades train service to Vancouver, B.C. The celebration wrapped up a two-day joint cabinet meeting focusing on transportation, economic prosperity, health care issues and climate change.
“We are extremely pleased to expand this Amtrak Cascades service and to continue our long-term partnership with the British Columbia provincial government,” Gregoire said. “This second train service will be a tremendous asset in bringing travelers to the 2010 Winter Games, enriching tourism and economic vitality in the communities along the way in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.”
“Establishing this expanded service builds on a history of collaboration between Washington and B.C. that has produced real results, including steps to improve the movement of goods and people across our shared
border such as North America’s first Enhanced Drivers’ License,” said Premier Campbell. “With the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games approaching, this is the perfect time to strengthen our connections and share in the opportunities for growth in trade and tourism that the Games create.”
