Skip to Main content

7.06°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Podcast Contact Us

Mar 23, 2023 6:41 PM - The Canadian Press

Trudeau, Biden could agree to end 'loophole' in Safe Third Country Agreement: Source

Share On

trudeau-biden-could-agree-to-end-loophole-in-safe-third-country-agreement-source

The bilateral treaty that Canada and the U.S. signed in 2004 requires asylum seekers to make their claim in the first country they land in, but it only applies to official border crossings.

Canada and the United States are negotiating a deal that could designate all 8,900 kilometres of their shared border as an official crossing under the Safe Third Country Agreement.

A Canadian government official with knowledge of the talks says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Joe Biden will discuss the issue when they meet in Ottawa on Friday.

The Canadian Press is granting anonymity to the official to discuss matters not yet made public.

The bilateral treaty that Canada and the U.S. signed in 2004 requires asylum seekers to make their claim in the first country they land in, but it only applies to official border crossings.

But thousands of migrants get around the rule by crossing at unofficial locations such as Roxham Road in Quebec so they are not immediately returned to the United States.

There are still many outstanding issues to resolve before the two governments could formally announce a deal, including Canada agreeing to accept a higher number of migrants through official channels.

Latest news

WorldOct 28, 2026

At Least 64 Killed in Spain High-Speed Train Collision

At least 64 people have been killed in a devastating collision involving two high-speed trains in Spain. Rescue workers continued searching through the wreckage on Wednesday for more bodies. The incident marks the country’s second major deadly rail accident this year. Following the crash, injured passengers and survivors were evacuated from the trains. Hundreds of ambulances, helicopters and other emergency response vehicles were deployed at the scene. According to preliminary information, a private Iryo train had stopped near Toledo after a signalling fault, reportedly on the instructions o

canada-wont-rush-into-trade-deal-with-the-u-s-pm-carney

CanadaOct 28, 2026

Canada Won’t Rush into Trade Deal with the U.S.: PM Carney

Prime Minister Mark Carney has ruled out the possibility of an imminent trade deal with the United States. Speaking to reporters on Parliament Hill today, Carney made it clear that Canada is not currently in a position to reach a trade agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. Carney said Ottawa would only consider a deal if it clearly served Canada's interests, stressing that the federal government would not rush into an agreement. His remarks come just days before the U.S. midterm elections next week, following signals from Trump that a trade deal with Canada could be wi

ucp-leaders-wont-be-allowed-to-advocate-albertas-separation-from-canada-danielle-smith-announces

AlbertaOct 28, 2026

UCP Leaders Won’t Be Allowed to Advocate Alberta’s Separation from Canada, Danielle Smith Announces

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced that anyone seeking a position on the United Conservative Party (UCP) board will have to sign a pledge opposing provincial separation at the party’s annual general meeting next month. Smith said Albertans voted overwhelmingly to remain part of Canada in last week’s referendum, and the party must respect the result. Current board members are also expected to honour the commitment. Candidates running under the UCP banner in next year’s provincial election will also be required to respect the referendum results. The move is aimed at keeping separ

prime-minister-mark-carney-confirms-two-canadians-injured-in-spain-train-crash

CanadaOct 28, 2026

Prime Minister Mark Carney Confirms Two Canadians Injured in Spain Train Crash

Prime Minister Mark Carney has confirmed that at least two Canadians were injured in a major train accident in Spain on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Carney expressed his condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the crash. He also said the Canadian government was ready to provide any assistance Spain might need during this difficult time. The accident occurred in Spain’s central Toledo province when a high-speed train struck another stationary train from behind. More than 60 people have reportedly died in the incident. Both trains were travelling in the same direction

AlbertaOct 28, 2026

Heavy Snowfall Warning for Edmonton, Up to 15 cm of Snow Expected

A special weather alert has been issued for Edmonton and surrounding communities in Central Alberta, with up to 15 centimetres of snow expected by Thursday morning. According to the warning, the first major snowfall of the season began Tuesday night and is expected to continue through Thursday morning. Snowfall overnight has already caused difficulties for commuters travelling to work early Wednesday. Drivers are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys and prepare for rapidly changing and deteriorating road conditions. Mainroad Alberta Contracting, which maintains approximately 4,

Related News

Canada Won’t Rush into Trade Deal with the U.S.: PM Carney

Canada Won’t Rush into Trade Deal with the U.S.: PM Carney

Prime Minister Mark Carney has ruled out the possibility of an imminent trade deal with the United States. Speaking to reporters on Parliament Hill today, Carney made it clear that Canada is not currently in a position to reach a trade agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. Carney said Ottawa would only consider a deal if it clearly served Canada's interests, stressing that the federal government would not rush into an agreement. His remarks come just days before the U.S. midterm elections next week, following signals from Trump that a trade deal with Canada could be wi

Prime Minister Mark Carney Confirms Two Canadians Injured in Spain Train Crash

Prime Minister Mark Carney Confirms Two Canadians Injured in Spain Train Crash

Prime Minister Mark Carney has confirmed that at least two Canadians were injured in a major train accident in Spain on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Carney expressed his condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the crash. He also said the Canadian government was ready to provide any assistance Spain might need during this difficult time. The accident occurred in Spain’s central Toledo province when a high-speed train struck another stationary train from behind. More than 60 people have reportedly died in the incident. Both trains were travelling in the same direction

Lorne Doerkson to Take a Different Stance from Poilievre on Oil Tanker Ban

Lorne Doerkson to Take a Different Stance from Poilievre on Oil Tanker Ban

B.C. premier-designate Lorne Doerkson has signalled that he may take a different approach from federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre on the oil tanker ban along British Columbia’s northern coast. Poilievre recently called on the Carney government in the House of Commons to lift the ban. However, Doerkson has given a lukewarm response to the proposal, saying his main focus is the Pacific Link pipeline project, which has been declared a project of national interest by the federal government. The proposed pipeline would run from Alberta to Delta, B.C., and is expected to create significa

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital