October 31, 2005
No. 203
The Government of Canada today submitted its official comment to the U.S.
government on the proposed Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. The proposed
initiative would require all travellers, including Canadians, to present a passport or other
documents indicating citizenship and identity when entering or re-entering the U.S. from
the western hemisphere.
“The flow of Canadians and Americans across our border is a vital and historic part of
the Canada-U.S. relationship, and the effective management of that flow is an
important responsibility,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Pettigrew. “As in all aspects of
our relationship, it is something we are constantly working at, because the security and
prosperity of both our countries depend on it. The proposed changes to document
requirements at the U.S. border are of concern to us and it is extremely important that
we take the time required to get this right.”
“Canada and the U.S. share an interest in enhancing the security and prosperity of
North America, and together we have achieved tremendous success in improving the
efficiency and security of our border,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public
Safety and Emergency Preparedness Anne McLellan. “In the spirit of this successful
collaboration, we must ensure that our shared goal of increased security does not put at
risk the livelihood of millions who rely on our border.”
Canada’s comment proposes to:
• partner together to keep the border working for legitimate travellers and trade;
• strengthen the foundations for establishing identity and citizenship in our
respective passport-issuance processes, and the security of documents used for
this purpose, with the increased engagement of states and provinces in identity
authentication;
• work jointly to identify and assess the best options for alternative documents to
be required in the land border context;
• conduct necessary live pilots of the preferred options at high-volume land border
crossings to evaluate if and how they will enable both countries to meet security
and facilitation objectives; and
• based on joint assessment and evaluation, make binational recommendations on
documentary requirements at our shared border and how to implement them,
taking into account the need to ensure that the appropriate resources and
infrastructure are available to guarantee the smooth functioning of border
crossings and to ensure that required documents are affordable and accessible.
Currently, U.S. citizens, Canadians and some citizens of other countries in the western
hemisphere are not required to present a passport to enter or re-enter the U.S.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative would be implemented in two phases. By
December 31, 2006, it would be applied to all air and sea travel to or from Canada,
Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. By December 31,
2007, the requirement would be extended to all land border crossings.
While we are prepared to move quickly on the action plan in the official comment, the
Government of Canada is concerned that the work required may take more time to
complete than the current time frame presently allows for.
On September 1, 2005, the U.S. government opened a 60-day public-consultation
period on the initiative, providing Canada with the opportunity to comment. Canada’s
official comment is the result of extensive and thorough consultations with stakeholders
in the provinces, territories, business and non-governmental organizations.
To view Canada’s official comment please visit:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/can-am/main/right_nav/whti_comment-en.asp.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
James Christoff
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
Alex Swann
Director of Communications
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Public Safety and
Emergency Preparedness
(613) 991-2863
