Rumball Janet PublicSafety2007

WESTERN HEMISPHERE TRAVEL INITIATIVE (WHTI) 6TH INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY / COUNTERTERRORISM CONFERENCEApril 23 – 24, 2007Presentation by Janet Rumball A/Director General Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: 

WESTERN HEMISPHERE TRAVEL INITIATIVE (WHTI) 6TH INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY / COUNTERTERRORISM CONFERENCE April 23 – 24, 2007 Presentation by Janet Rumball A/Director General Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

Overview: 

Overview WHTI Background Outreach (Air) – Action taken NEXUS Harmonization and Expansion NEXUS Overview Recent Developments / Key Announcements Analysis of Current Federal and Provincial Documents Enhanced Driver’s Licence Pilot Next Steps Questions

WHTI - Background: 

WHTI - Background United States (U.S.) Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (2004) “Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall develop and implement a plan…to require a passport or other document or combination of documents deemed acceptable by the Secretary of Homeland Security.” Requirement stems from a recommendation in the 9/11 Commission Report aimed at Americans, but applies equally to Canadians

Background (Cont’d): 

Background (Cont’d) WHTI is being implemented in two phases Air Mode Implemented on January 23, 2007 Documents required for entry into the U.S.: valid passport or NEXUS card used at a NEXUS kiosk at designated airports Land and Sea Modes Implementation date – as early as January 1, 2008 and as late as June 1, 2009 Documents required for entry into the US to be determined – valid passports and likely U.S. PASScard, NEXUS, FAST Cards will be accepted

Background (Cont’d): 

Background (Cont’d) Potentially significant impacts on Canada and the U.S. for land mode Foregone planned travel Decreased spontaneous travel Potential for border congestion impacting trade and investment

Outreach (Air) – Action taken: 

Outreach (Air) – Action taken A news release, fact sheets, and background information on the WHTI and how to apply for a passport were issued to the Canadian media on November 24, 2006 Over 400 stakeholder associations were provided with detailed information on the WHTI as well as a link to the CBSA web site and encouraged to inform travellers of new U.S. entry requirements Posters, LED screens messaging is available at Customs receiving areas at major Canadian airports Public Notices published in major daily newspapers on December 21 and 28, 2006 and on January 8 and 15, 2007 Consultations undertaken with airlines and Canadian consulates to ensure awareness of U.S. requirements.

NEXUS Harmonization and Expansion: 

NEXUS Harmonization and Expansion Canada and the U.S. harmonized all three NEXUS programs (Air, Land and Marine) into one in December 2006 to further improve NEXUS service to the travelling public NEXUS is designed to streamline and expedite the border clearance process using dedicated lanes for low-risk, pre-approved travellers while enhancing security (initially only available at Vancouver International Airport) On February 12, 2007, Minister Day announced that the NEXUS Enrolment Centre and automated self-serve kiosks are now operational at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport and that NEXUS will expand to six more airports across Canada (Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal, and Halifax) As of April 2007, NEXUS members at airports in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal are enjoying the benefits of membership

NEXUS Overview: 

NEXUS Overview Over 120,000 members enjoy the benefits of expedited cross-border travel NEXUS membership is free for children under the age of 18 NEXUS in the air mode uses self-serve kiosks equipped with iris recognition biometric technology NEXUS in the land mode uses dedicated NEXUS lanes at designated land locations. Members show their NEXUS card which uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology NEXUS in the marine mode allows recreational boaters to call a marine telephone reporting centre in advance to report entry

Recent Developments / Key Announcements: 

Recent Developments / Key Announcements At the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America summit, held in Ottawa on February 23, 2007, Minister Day announced progress on WHTI via three fronts: U.S. government announced that Canadian and American citizens aged 15 and younger will be exempt from passport requirements when travelling by land and sea Canada will work with British Columbia and Washington State on the development of their driver’s licence pilots Minister Day and Secretary Chertoff agreed on the Recommended Standards for Secure Proof of Status and Nationality Documents to Facilitate Cross-Border Travel

Analysis of Current Federal and Provincial Documents : 

Analysis of Current Federal and Provincial Documents Federal Documents Reviewed Certificate of Indian Status Certificate of Canadian Citizenship Permanent Resident Card Provincial / Territorial Documents Reviewed Driver’s Licence Birth Certificate Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is currently piloting a redeveloped Certificate of Indian Status card that is far more secure than its predecessor Finalization of the gap analysis and costing estimates of provincial / territorial documents is nearing completion

Enhanced Driver’s Licence Pilot: 

Enhanced Driver’s Licence Pilot On March 23, 2007, Washington State signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to work together on the development of an enhanced driver’s licence pilot for Washington State. This agreement formalizes a shared objective of exploring an alternative to the passport under the new U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI Secure driver’s licence with a cross-border travel option, to meet WHTI requirements British Columbia / Washington State Working Group Three (3) Premiers visit to Washington, DC, on February 27, 2007 Premiers of Ontario, New Brunswick, and Manitoba raised WHTI concerns and proposed acceptance of alternate documents, such as an enhanced DL CBSA will continue working with DHS to obtain clarity regarding implementation plans for the Washington State Pilot

WHTI - Next Steps: 

WHTI - Next Steps Continue working with GC partners and stakeholders on Canada’s response to the WHTI Continue exploring the feasibility of using Provincial / Territorial documents for cross border travel Seek stakeholder advice to mitigate the impacts of the WHTI Ongoing meetings with senior officials from CBSA / DHS / CBP Ensure progress on the B.C. / WA driver’s licence pilots Seek explicit recognition of NEXUS and Free and Secure Trade (FAST) programs for land and sea rule Ensure that a clear implementation plan for land and sea is prepared Regular meetings between Minister Day and Secretary Chertoff to discuss WHTI progress

Questions: 

Questions Please do not hesitate to contact: Janet Rumball Acting Director General Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Tel: (613) 957-1229 More information on the WHTI can be found at: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca