The new rules start today despite the US legislators fight against them,personally I favour the rules,more safety won't hurt either country.
Canadians crossing into the U.S. by land and sea will now need more than just their driver's licence under new rules that take effect today.
CTV.ca News Staff
The new rules, which will also apply to Americans, require travellers to prove their citizenship beyond a driver's licence.
For most, that will mean providing a birth certificate at the border in addition to their licence.
Passports or a card from a trusted traveller program like NEXUS or FAST are acceptable, but not required.
Children under 16, as well as teens aged 18 and under travelling in school, cultural and sports groups, will need certified copies of their birth certificates.
Ron Moran, president of the Customs and Excise Union, said the new requirements will help speed things up at the border.
"It eliminates the human error," Moran told CTV's Canada AM on Thursday. "You're going to eventually have the ability to move more traffic in a faster way but just as importantly in a much more prudent way."
Officials had originally hoped to make passports a requirement by the end of January.
However, the U.S. postponed the date until this summer as concerns were raised that the new measures could stifle cross-border shopping.
Ron Smith, a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Detroit, told The Associated Press that a grace period will be in place for travellers unaware of the new rules.
"The first couple of days, weeks maybe, could add a few seconds to the inspection process. But once people become aware of these requirements, and we're getting the word out to them ... those minor delays should disappear,'' Smith said.
Canadians travelling by air are required to have a passport.
Canadians crossing into the U.S. by land and sea will now need more than just their driver's licence under new rules that take effect today.
CTV.ca News Staff
The new rules, which will also apply to Americans, require travellers to prove their citizenship beyond a driver's licence.
For most, that will mean providing a birth certificate at the border in addition to their licence.
Passports or a card from a trusted traveller program like NEXUS or FAST are acceptable, but not required.
Children under 16, as well as teens aged 18 and under travelling in school, cultural and sports groups, will need certified copies of their birth certificates.
Ron Moran, president of the Customs and Excise Union, said the new requirements will help speed things up at the border.
"It eliminates the human error," Moran told CTV's Canada AM on Thursday. "You're going to eventually have the ability to move more traffic in a faster way but just as importantly in a much more prudent way."
Officials had originally hoped to make passports a requirement by the end of January.
However, the U.S. postponed the date until this summer as concerns were raised that the new measures could stifle cross-border shopping.
Ron Smith, a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Detroit, told The Associated Press that a grace period will be in place for travellers unaware of the new rules.
"The first couple of days, weeks maybe, could add a few seconds to the inspection process. But once people become aware of these requirements, and we're getting the word out to them ... those minor delays should disappear,'' Smith said.
Canadians travelling by air are required to have a passport.