SF Consulate Presentation

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: 

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Ken Oplinger, President/ CEO Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry ken@bellingham.com 360-734-1330 Consulate General of Canada – San Francisco/Silicon Valley 24 October 2006

U.S./Canada Border Overview: 

U.S./Canada Border Overview Longest common border that is not militarized or actively patrolled 4,000 miles contiguous U.S.—5,500 altogether (U.S./Mexico border is 2,000 miles) 12 states, 8 provinces & 1 territory 51 million Americans and over 30 million Canadians 90% of Canadians live within 100 miles Facts

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CANADA US

U.S./Canada Border Overview: 

U.S./Canada Border Overview Trade $1.2 billion U.S./Canada trade/daily Supports 5.2 million jobs Travel/Tourism 2005: 32 million trips Americans to Canada 2005: 38 million trips Canadians to U.S. 2004: Canadians spent $10.3 billion in U.S., excluding travel costs ($7.9 billion for dining, gifts, hotels, etc.) Canadian spending up 39% over 10 years—U.S. travel surplus Economy

U.S./Canada Border Overview: 

U.S./Canada Border Overview California Trade $25 billion in trade with Canada in 2003 Canadians bought $2 billion in telecommunications products from California. California imported $16.5 billion worth of Canadian merchandise. 626,000 jobs in California were supported by trade with Canada. Travel/Tourism 1.7 million Canadian trips generated $850 million in direct travel spending in 2004 Economy

U.S./Canada Border Overview: 

U.S./Canada Border Overview Economy Nevada Trade $1 billion in trade with Canada in 2003 More than 1/5 of Nevada’s exports went to Canada. Nevada imported some $663 million in Canadian goods. 43,000 jobs in Nevada were supported by trade with Canada. Travel/Tourism 850 thousand Canadian trips generated $650 million in direct travel spending in 2004

U.S./Canada Border Overview: 

U.S./Canada Border Overview Top Economic Value Economy Top Destinations

U.S./Canada Border Overview: 

U.S./Canada Border Overview Economy Three Busiest U.S./Canada Border Crossings Total Value of Trade Detroit/Port Huron (~$450 million per day, #1 nationally & worldwide) Buffalo (~$160 million per day, #2 nationally) Pacific Highway/Douglas (~$40 million per day)

U.S./Canada Border Overview: 

U.S./Canada Border Overview Restaurants and shopping (50% of Canadian visits) Work and family Athletic events 10%+ Detroit Tigers & Red Wings and Buffalo Sabers, North American International Auto Show and other ticket sales Olympics, Super Bowl, World Series, All-Star Games Theater, music, other Cultural Integration

U.S./Canada Border Overview: 

U.S./Canada Border Overview

WHTI Background: 

WHTI Background Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (sec. 7209) signed December 2004 All travel into U.S. (includes U.S. citizens) Requires “passport or other document, or combination of documents” Implementation date: January 1, 2008 New Law

WHTI Background: 

WHTI Background Law gives DHS discretion to determine alternatives Expect the following will meet requirements: Passports Pre-clearance programs (e.g., NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST) Also discussion of new northern border ID card (“Passport Lite”) Implementation Plans

WHTI Background: 

WHTI Background Passports Only 23% of Americans and 40% of Canadians have a passport (30% of Congress) Costs $97/person in U.S. 6-8+ weeks to process Pre-clearance programs Harder to get than passport $50 for NEXUS; 6-8 (or less) weeks to process No guaranteed access to lanes Just integrated/interchangeable at different ports (June 2006) Low enrollment (100,000 nationwide in NEXUS; only 6% of those eligible are in FAST) Proposal Assessment

WHTI Background: 

WHTI Background “Passport Lite”—new border ID (PASS Card) Similar documentation and wait times as passport Usable only at land borders Cheaper and easier to carry than passport ($45) Does not address spontaneous travelers Doesn’t apply to Canadians !!! Proposal Assessment Lackluster promotion and implementation of pre-clearance programs makes highly unlikely the prospect that DHS can successfully implement this far more ambitious plan.

Policy Alternatives: 

Drivers Licenses could meet goals of WHTI without inventing a new ID Signed May 2005 – Real-ID: state driver’s license or ID card cannot be used for any federal purpose unless it meets federal requirements by 5/2008 Federally regulated commercial aircraft, nuclear power plants, federally regulated critical infrastructure Policy Alternatives Recommendations

Policy Alternatives: 

Policy Alternatives Specified data/security features Standardized docs to establish ID Verification of doc authenticity Photo ID doc or non-photo with full legal name Doc showing birth date Proof of SSN or ineligibility for SSN Doc showing name and residence address Valid doc evidence of U.S. citizenship or legal U.S. presence Recommendations REAL-ID Minimum Standards

Policy Alternatives: 

State-based solutions could prove MORE secure than PASS. Existing technology could allow existing driver’s licenses to be used – no need to wait for Real-ID implementation. Washington and BC have entered into an agreement to run a trial program using driver’s licenses at their shared border – Michigan and Ontario also interested. Children, Seniors and Groups must be given preferential treatment. Policy Alternatives Recommendations

Policy Alternatives: 

Greater chance of reciprocity from Canada Canadian federal government and various other government levels have submitted comments supporting this option. Drivers License usage supported by Provinces/Territories KEY: Maintaining flow of Canadians into U.S. Policy Alternatives Recommendations

Policy Alternatives: 

Senator Stevens/Leahy/Stabenow et al Immigration amendment extends WHTI implementation to June 2009. Policy Alternatives Who’s Listening

Policy Alternatives: 

Senator Coleman/Collins/Dorgan Immigration Amendment: Extends WHTI implementation to June 2009 Requires triggers before implementation can occur Successful PASS Card pilot 90% of enrollees must have card in certain time frame (avg 4 wks) Demonstrated staff training Satisfactory public awareness Public awareness campaign with demonstrated awareness measures (including effort to inform public that law is not currently in place) Policy Alternatives Who’s Listening

Policy Alternatives: 

Senator Coleman/Collins/Dorgan Immigration Amendment: Calls for better expansion and incorporation of frequent traveler programs Requires collaboration with Western Hemisphere partners on encouraging citizens to get proper docs Applicability of PASS card at land and sea borders; land treatment of ferries; $20 cost cap; free for children Policy Alternatives Who’s Listening

Policy Alternatives: 

Senator Coleman/Collins/Dorgan Immigration Amendment: Process for allowing U.S. citizens w/o proper docs to leave and return to U.S. (72 hrs) Feasibility study on “how to” integrate WHTI and REAL-ID and a pilot project with at least two willing states and one willing province that are REAL-ID compliant Reports to Congress and approps authorizaton Policy Alternatives Who’s Listening

Policy Alternatives: 

June 29th – Stevens and Leahy attach modified Coleman amendment to appropriations bills for both DHS and State. Bill passed House 412-6, Passed Senate unanimously (voice vote). Contrary to State Department rhetoric, difficult to see how they can implement prior to June 2009. Policy Alternatives Who’s Listening

What is BESTT?: 

What is BESTT? A Partnership Coordinated by the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber, the Detroit Regional Chamber and the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. 100 Members from 10 states and 5 provinces Grassroots Focus – Specifically addressing effect on border communities

What is BESTT?: 

Three organizations agree to work on WHTI (7/05) Collaboration on federal rules response (9/05) First WHTI hearing (10/05) First D.C. Fly In (11/05) BESTT officially named (12/05) D.C. Fly-in with 200+ lawmaker contacts (2/06) On-going presence in D.C. ever since (6 trips just from Bellingham!) Traveled to Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, Niagara, Concord NH, McAllen TX, Chicago, Anchorage and many more in last nine months What is BESTT?

What have we accomplished?: 

What have we accomplished? Addressed Northern Border Cong. Caucus, US C/C, CanAm BTA, Bi-national Tourism Alliance, US Senate, Canadian Senate and many others. Conducted Hill visits in February, 50 people hit 200+ members of Congress in 3 days. Formed partnerships with former Sen. Slade Gorton (9/11 commission) and Digimarc Corp. (largest provider of drivers’ licenses in North America) Raised awareness of WHTI on CNN, CBC, CTV, Fox News, CKNW, C-SPAN and countless print media outlets. Special relationship with the Canadian Embassy in DC

What have we accomplished?: 

What have we accomplished? EXTENTION!!! No longer passport only No longer ignoring the Canadians (April 2006) No longer including ferries as sea border crossings No longer saying there will be no economic impact Substantial attention raised in Congress on the issue (especially in the last six months) Co-authored Coleman Amendment Acknowledgement of special needs areas (Pt. Roberts, NW Angle, Vermont cities, etc.)

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More Information www.BESTTCoalition.com