Canada and the U.S. announced a deal Monday that further integrates their screening systems for cross-border travel.

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Steven Blaney held a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson in Washington to announce details of the next phase of the Beyond the Border Action Plan, which was created in December 2011.

The ministers signed a "preclearance agreement," which allows U.S. border agents to inspect travellers and goods on this side of the 49th parallel, before allowing them to enter the U.S.

This type of screening has been going on for years at eight Canadian airports, but the new agreement extends it to all modes of transportation.

"Through the comprehensive approach to preclearance outlined in the agreement, Canada and the U.S. are seeking to strengthen our relationship and enhance our mutual security, prosperity and economic competitiveness," Blaney said.

The aim is to create an "integrated entry-exit system" so "documented entry into one country serves to verify exit from the other," according to the Beyond the Border plan, which covers a wide range of co-operation.

Critics of the plan have said it has great potential to violate Canadians' privacy, depending on what information is shared with U.S. authorities.

"This agreement respects the sovereignty and the laws of both countries," Blaney said and invoked the threat of terrorism as one reason for implementing the measures.

"Our enemies will not achieve their objective to deny our people of their freedom, their security and their prosperity," he said.

Nearly 400,000 people and $2 billion in goods cross the border on land every day, according to the government.