US-Canada Border information update

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Update on Canada/US Border Security Co-operation

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

Congress Delays WHTI Implementation

Both Houses of Congress voted Friday, September 29 to approve the Fiscal 2007 Homeland Security Appropriations bill which, among other things, allows the US government until June 1, 2009 to implement the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). In response to this development, Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day issued a statement, noting that “this decision recognizes that more time is necessary to ensure that WHTI is implemented effectively. We will continue to work in close cooperation with the United States to secure our shared objective of keeping the border open to legitimate trade and travellers but closed to terrorists and criminals.” http://www.psepc.gc.ca/media/nr/2006/nr200...p?lang_update=1

Prime Minister Harper Speaks on WHTI

In a speech to the Economic Club of New York on September 20th, Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke on the significant strides that Canada and the United States have made in improving domestic security since the terrorist attacks of 9/11. At the same time, the Prime Minister stated that new border security requirements, such as WHTI, threaten to divide at a time we should be collaborating in security and economic issues. The Prime Minister stressed that Canada and the U.S. must "make sure WHTI works before it goes into effect," and stated that Americans in the business community, "who know what border disruptions could mean for business and tourist travel, or for closely integrated supply chains, will be crucial in ensuring that WHTI is implemented only in a pragmatic manner and on a realistic timetable.” http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=1328

Background: Travel Documents for Crossing the Border

When implemented, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will require all travellers to present a passport or other appropriate secure document when entering or re-entering the United States by all modes of travel in order to strengthen border security. Find out how the initiative may affect Canadians and what the government is doing at http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/agency/whti-ivho/menu-e.html

At the Border

NEXUS Highway Celebrates Its 100,000th Member Mark

The Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Stockwell Day, announced on September 21 that NEXUS Highway has reached the 100,000th member mark. NEXUS Highway is a joint Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that is designed to simplify border crossings for pre-approved travellers. NEXUS Highway members are allowed to use dedicated lanes at various locations while travelling across the Canada/U.S. border. This milestone in NEXUS participation demonstrates the solid working relationship between Canada and the United States and a strong track record in implementing technology at the border to both secure and facilitate legitimate trade and travel. http://www.news.gc.ca/cfmx/view/en/index.j...rticleid=240959

Border Wait Times

Estimated wait times for border crossings between the U.S. and Canada can be found at the CBSA website at http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/times/menu-e.html. The estimated wait times are updated every hour. A wireless version of Border Wait Times is also available as part of the Government of Canada's wireless portal, which can be found at http://canada.gc.ca/mobile/wireless_e.html.

Border Security

Canada Increases in Border Security

On August 31st, Prime Minister Harper announced initiatives to improve Canada's border security. The federal budget provided $101 million over two years to begin the process of providing CBSA officers with side-arms, and ensure that they are no longer required to work alone. Approximately 4,400 CBSA officers at land and marine ports of entry will be trained and equipped with side-arms. In addition, 400 new permanent officers will be hired to address all work alone situations, and also be trained and equipped with side-arms. According to the Prime Minister, "arming CBSA officers and eliminating situations where these officers work alone will allow them to do their job better and more effectively." http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=1&id=1302

Background: Integrated Border Enforcement Teams (IBETs)

The Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET) program is a collaborative and multi-faceted law enforcement initiative comprised of both Canadian and American partners. As an intelligence-led cooperative that supports national security investigations, IBETs investigate cross-border illegal activities between the points of entry to ensure that borders are open for business but closed to crime. http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/security/ibets_e.htm.

To learn more about specific joint cross-border operations involving Integrated Border Enforcement Teams and other key American and Canadian law enforcement partner agencies, see the IBETs Success Stories. http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/security/ibets_success_e.htm

For more information on the 15 geographical IBET regions along the Canada/US border, please visit: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/security/ibets_map_e.htm

Edited October 4, 2006 by Kathryn41

[together2love 0]

Great, now my family won't need to get passports to come to my wedding in Dec!