The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada, administers a Public Diplomacy Grants Program for individuals and organizations to carry out virtual programs to strengthen bilateral ties between the United States and Canada.
Ships in Vancouver harbor. On October 27, 2015, Consul General Lynne Platt hosted a reception for a delegation from the United States as part of the Canada Border, Ports, and Rail Tour 2015 organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada and the Consulate General of Canada in Seattle. The tour came just ahead of the fifth anniversary of the Beyond the Border Action Plan, a bilateral initiative to enhance perimeter security and economic competitiveness. Since its inception in 2011, the United States and Canada have worked together to benefit residents, travelers, and industry in both countries while enhancing security, trade and travel facilitation, critical infrastructure protection, and emergency management.
The twenty-seven participants of the 2015 Canada Border, Ports, and Rail Tour hailed from both the public and private sectors and represented thirteen U.S. states. The delegation included representatives from the offices of several U.S. Members of Congress. They toured Port Metro Vancouver, the Douglas (Peace Arch) and Pacific Highway Ports of Entry along the U.S. – Canada border, as well as Prince Rupert. Staff from the U.S. Consulate in Vancouver joined the participants for site visits and other events in Vancouver and Prince Rupert from October 28-29.