A New Era in US Coast Guard-RCMP Integration

From September 4-6,the Royal Canadian Mounted Police unit in Sault Ste Marie,Ontario and the US Coast Guard station Sault Ste Marie,Michigan conducted joint law enforcement patrols along the St.Marys River,the RCMP said.Several vessels were stopped and boarded by specially trained and designated members of the USCG and RCMP.Shiprider removes the jurisdictional roadblocks that characterise international borders.*
Criminals can no longer exploit jurisdictional weakness at the border,said Commander Ryan Griffen,US Coast Guard.The Shiprider program is another innovative partnership that contributes to enhance our efficiency and provides a better use of our mutual resources.*
Exercises such as the one performed in the past few days demonstrate that removing the maritime barrier leads to successful law enforcement and increased security for all of us,added RCMP Assistant Commissioner Todd Shean.*
The Shiprider program,officially known as the Integrated Cross-Border Maritime Law Enforcement Operations,ICMLEO,was finalised in June after a pilot period from 2005-10.It involves RCMP and USCG members riding on each other's patrol boats and having arrest powers in both countries,principally to seamlessly respond to elusive smugglers of drugs,weapons and humans.It is in effect in the Great Lakes and Vancouver,British Columbia areas.
See also the companion post in my blog Extra Content.

Making the Case For Change:Toronto Executive Confident in Stock Exchange Merger

Something business leaders have to face from time to time is convincing regulators-typically politicians-to permit their larger plans to go forward.Thomas Kloet,CEO of the TMX Group,parent of the Toronto Stock Exchange,thinks they will get the deal done.The Ontario provincial government,as well as other provinces and the federal government in Ottawa,are scrutinizing the proposed merger of the Toronto and London stock exchanges.
I understand there's a political element to this,Mr.Kloet said.There are gonna be multiple questions.We think we have a very compelling story to tell.It's good for Canadian investors and capital formation.
Ours is a merger of equals,with shared government and management nearly 50/50.You're seeing a consolidation within the space.We see it as a chance to offer low cost services to our clients.We think we'll compete very favorably,with the most listed issues.
I believe we're positioned for further growth with this consolidation.We have an excellent business strategy.This combination accelerates our strategy and increases its possibility for success,Mr.Kloet maintained.
NYSE/Euronext and Deutsche Boerse are also attempting to merge,and the NASDAQ/OMX Group is evaluating its own options.
NYSE/Euronext(NYX),NASDAQ/OMX Group(NDAQ)