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OTTAWA — Canadians and Americans are safer and better off as a result of the perimeter security deal signed last December by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama, says the U.S. ambassador to Canada.

David Jacobson pointed to two initiatives he said have increased efficiency at the border – reduction in wait times at airports because of the NEXUS trusted traveller program and mutual recognition of air cargo that means less missing baggage on connecting flights.

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He said the choice is not between security or efficiency. “They tend to be the same thing.”

Mr. Jacobson was speaking as the two governments reported “significant progress” on their plan that aims to “thin” their border.

In the first annual report on the “Beyond the Border” and regulatory co-operation programs, they said there has been improved coordination on border management, cyber-security, the NEXUS plan and air cargo security.