The Ambassador Bridge linking Windsor, Ont. and Detroit is one of the busiest links in truck traffic between Canada and the United States. (QMI Agency files)

OTTAWA - Canada and the U.S. strengthened border security Thursday with a new agreement to share information on foreign nationals.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said the Immigration Information Sharing Treaty will better protect Canada by keeping terrorists and criminals from entering Canada or the United States.

The treaty - part of the Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness Action Plan - allows both countries to share information from third-party nationals applying for visas or permits to travel to either country.

The arrangement also enhances an existing agreement on asylum-seekers to confirm identities, identify risks and inadmissible persons "before they reach our borders," Kenney said.

No information will be shared on Canadian or American citizens or permanent residents.

Kenney said any information exchanged on travelers and asylum-seekers will be done in accordance with Canadian laws, including the Privacy Act.