Welcome to the Southwest Ontario Gateway Virtual Presence Post
The United States Mission in Canada is pleased to announce the launch of its fourth Virtual Presence Post (VPP). Our newest VPP for Southwest Ontario highlights the importance of this region to the United States and to U.S./Canada relations. Through this web site, we hope to build upon the region’s existing relationship and forge an even stronger partnership. The U.S. Mission had a Consulate in Windsor, Ontario from 1864 to 1970 and in Port Sarnia/Sarnia from 1864 to1933 and again from 1940 to 1948. We view this new VPP as a 21st century diplomatic tool that will allow us to strengthen our connections to this region.

Embassy/Consulates Closure Notice
The US Embassy Ottawa and all US Consulates in Canada will be closed on Friday July 3, to observe Independence Day.

President Obama's 4th of July Message
Today, we are called upon to remember not only the day our country was born, but also the indomitable spirit of the first American citizens who made that day possible. We are called to remember how unlikely it was that our American experiment would succeed at all; that a small band of patriots would declare independence from a powerful empire; and that they would form, in the new world, what the old world had never known - a government of, by, and for the people. [more]

13 June 09
Remarks at the 100th Anniversary of the Boundary Waters Treaty - Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State
Good morning. What a glorious day, and it’s an absolute delight for me to be here on this occasion. I take any excuse I can to get back to come back to New York, and to celebrate this commemoration with all of you and to have an opportunity to spend time with my Canadian counterpart, Minister Cannon, is indeed a privilege. I just want to recognize the significance of this extraordinary moment in time. The friendship between the people of the United States and Canada is the strongest in the world. There is no border that is longer and more peaceful; there is no greater trade between two nations. There are so many values that we share in common, and today we celebrate a treaty that helped to make this friendship possible 100 years ago. [more] [FlickR Photos].
Related: Press Conference - Remarks With Canadian Foreign Minister Cannon.

12 June 09
Secretary Clinton Travel to Canada
Boundary Waters Treaty Centennial Celebration Fact Sheet
On June 13, 2009, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will join Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon on the Rainbow Bridge connecting Niagara Falls, New York to Ontario, Canada to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Boundary Waters Treaty.

The Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 created the independent International Joint Commission (IJC) to prevent and resolve boundary waters disputes between Canada and the United States. The IJC makes decisions on applications for projects such as dams in boundary waters and regulates the operations of many of those projects. The IJC also has a permanent reference under the 1972 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement to help the two national governments restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of those waters. [more]

11 June 09
Secretary Clinton Travel to Canada
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will travel to Niagara Falls, New York, and Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Saturday, June 13, 2009, to participate in the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Canada-U.S. Boundary Waters Treaty. Secretary Clinton will meet with Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon following the centennial celebration. Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Cannon will then hold a joint press availability. [more]

04 June 09
A New Beginning - Engaging the Muslim World President Obama's June 4 Speech in Cairo, Egypt
I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt’s advancement. Together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I am grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: assalaamu alaykum. [more] [fact sheet]

H1N1 Influenza (Flu)
The United States, Canada and Mexico continue to work together with international organizations in actively monitoring the H1N1 flu outbreak. For additional and latest information, please see the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: www.cdc.gov [travel alerts][President Obama's remarks]

6 May 09
C-TPAT Announces First Annual Northern Border Highway Carrier Conference in Buffalo, NY The registration for this event will begin in late May 2009 and this will serve as a preliminary announcement for all those highway carriers who may be interested in attending.

17-19 April 09
The Fifth Summit of the Americas was held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on April 17-19, 2009.
The theme of the Fifth Summit of the Americas, "Securing Our Citizens' Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability" was developed in close consultation with member countries and partner institutions of the Summit Process.

Remarks by Secretary Clinton at Digital Town Hall of the Americas - View Video / Read Transcript

Obama Praises Constructive Talks at Summit of the Americas
Washington — President Obama said the United States entered the fifth Summit of the Americas in equal partnership with the nations of the Western Hemisphere based on mutual respect, common interests and shared values, and leaves after three days of constructive talks with what he called a good first step. [more]

[5th Summit website] [townhall.america.gov]

27 March 09
Summit of the Americas
Jeffrey Davidow, White House Advisor on the Summit of the Americas, was formerly U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela and Mexico. He discusses the U.S. agenda for the Fifth Summit of the Americas, to take place in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, April 17-19. [more].

5-6 March 09
Black History and Civil Rights Speaker Dr. William McClain
Dr. William McClain, a contemporary of Dr. Martin Luther King and committed civil rights activist, as well as a professor theology at Wesley Theological Seminary participated in several events in Toronto to mark Black History Month in the United States. He addressed faculty and administrators from the Harriet Tubman Centre of York University, speaking about his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement and the role of religion in the Black community. [photo] [listen here].

17 March 09
On March 8-9, Scott Bozek, the U.S. Consul for Commercial Affairs in Toronto, visited Windsor, Ontario. He met with the Windsor-Essex Development Commission and the Ontario Ministry for Small Business to discuss cooperation on commercial events in both Windsor and Detroit. The Department of Commerce offices in Detroit and Pontiac, Michigan, also participated in the discussions. Representatives from both sides of the border looked at ways that they can support two events: HUB'09 in Windsor and Trade North American in Detroit.

The HUB'09 International Multimodal Conference will be held May 5 - 6, 2009, at Caesars Hotel in Windsor. Registration or sponsorship information can be found at : www.HUB09.com, or call 519-255-9200.

Trade North America will be held September 9 -10, 2009 at the Marriott Hotel next to GM headquarters in Detroit. Registration or sponsorship information can be found at: www.tradenorthamerica.com. Discussions were also held about an American Chamber of Commerce and State of Tennessee trade event scheduled for April 2 in Windsor.

10 March 09
Doing Business In Tennessee
The State of Tennessee and the Ontario Chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada are hosting a free breakfast workshop in Windsor, Ontario on Thursday, April 2, 2009. [more] .

20 January 09
Public Affairs Officer Charles Cole delivered the keynote address at a Gala in London, Ontario to commemorate the inauguration of President Barack Obama.
London Pays Tribute To President Barack Obama On January 20, 2009, Public Affairs Officer Charles Cole gave the keynote address at a black-tie dinner to celebrate the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama in London, Ontario. His remarks emphasized the inspiring nature and symbolism of the inauguration of America's first Black president and the importance of the peaceful and public transfer of power in a democracy, as well as Ontario's role as key destination for slaves in search of freedom through the Underground Railroad. PAO Cole also presided over the sealing of a time capsule containing significant items from the history of blacks in Canada and the United States that is to be opened in 2109. Proceeds from the dinner, which was organized by Felipe Gomes, a community activist and business leader were donated to Big Brother and Big Sisters Chicago, a youth mentoring organization. Organizers also donated a reproduction of the painting "The Underground Railroad" by Charles Webber to the Cheatham Black History Museum. During the event, Rogers Community Television, Omni Television, and "A" Television interviewed PAO Cole on the symbolism of President Barack Obama's election.

15 January 09
Federal government approves new Detroit-Windsor border crossing system
The federal government yesterday issued a long-awaited decision approving a new Detroit-Windsor border crossing system over the Detroit River. The Record of Decision, issued Jan. 14, by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is the final environmental clearance for the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) Study for a proposed new border crossing system just north of Zug Island. [more] .

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On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

Canadians: www.knowyourborder.gov
Americans: www.getyouhome.gov/

Effective June 1, 2008 all applicants for U.S. Passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad will be seen by appointment only. More details

Department of Homeland Security
Traveler Redress Inquiry Program
Travelers can now resolve possible watch list misidentification and travel screening problems with any of the department’s component agencies with DHS TRIP, an easy to use web site.


U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) jointly operate the NEXUS trusted traveler program. To learn more about NEXUS, enroll in the program online or renew an expiring NEXUS card, click here.

< Border Wait Times >


The Official Travel & Tourism Website of the United States, Discover America is the best online resource for planning a vacation to the United States.

EducationUSA centers actively promote United States higher education around the world by offering accurate, comprehensive, objective and timely information about educational opportunities in the United States and guidance to qualified individuals on how best to access those opportunities.

The Canada - U.S. Fulbright Program is a bi-national educational exchange program supported by the Governments of the United States and Canada. [for more information].

2009 marks the Centennial of the Boundary Waters Treaty: The links provides information on all activities that mark the Boundary Waters Treaty Centennial this year, as well as details on the major event being organized to celebrate the anniversary in the Niagara Falls Region.

Security Notice to all Consular Visitors.

Are you an American citizen travelling or residing in Canada? Please register
Employment and Student Internship Opportunities at the U.S. Consulate Toronto


Travel Alert - Worldwide Caution
This Worldwide Caution updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests throughout the world. American citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. [Full text.]

The Global Financial System: Six Experts Look at the Crisis. An eJournal from the Department of State, May 2009.
Experts describe the mechanics of the global financial system presenting their views concerning the cyclical nature of markets, the interdependence of global trade relationships, and the role of regulation.
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

E-ALERTS is a public awareness service that provides key information on U.S. foreign and domestic public policies, topics include Canada-U.S. Relations, Environment, Trade, U.S. Politics and Global Issues. You will automatically receive, via e-mail, links to selected documents and publications from official U.S. Government sources and other reputable non-governmental organizations. Subscribe.