Statement by Thomas d’Aquino in Response to Reported Comments by Janet Napolitano, United States Secretary of Homeland Security

April 21, 2009

The following is a statement by Thomas d’Aquino, Chief Executive and President of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, in response to reported comments by United States Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano:

“I am a longstanding friend and ally of the United States, but sometimes failures in our two-way dialogue cause me to shake my head in sadness and dismay.  The claim that some of the 9/11 terrorists entered the United States from Canada is, quite simply, a myth – an urban legend that began with a handful of erroneous media reports in the days following the terrorist strikes. Subsequent investigations have established conclusively that all of the hijackers entered the United States from countries other than Canada, carrying documents issued to them by the United States government. Again and again, Canadian and American authorities have sought to correct the record. It is long past time to put this particular urban legend to rest.

"Canada and the United States have a long history of close cooperation on matters of security and public safety. As Prime Minister Harper said during President Obama’s recent visit to Ottawa, ‘There is no such thing as a threat to the national security of the United States which does not represent a direct threat to this country.’ In the aftermath of 9/11, Canada strengthened its counterterrorism capacity on many fronts. The goal of both governments has been, is and should remain a border that is open for commerce but closed to terrorism."