Statement by the Honourable Stockwell Day on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

September 30, 2006 — “The Government of Canada notes that United States Congress has passed the Homeland Security Appropriations Act. This legislation provides for an extension for those travelling by land and sea on the deadline for the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).

The extension will delay implementation up until June 1, 2009, or until three months after the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security have jointly certified that specific security measures for travel documents have been established.

The United States WHTI will require all travellers, including Canadians, to present a passport or another accepted secure document when entering the United States.

Following the constructive dialogue that the Prime Minister initiated with President Bush during the Cancun Summit, Minister MacKay and I have engaged in productive discussions with our American counterparts regarding the potential impact of WHTI on our economies and border communities. We have been very ably supported in our efforts by elected officials at all levels of government, representatives of industry and non-profit organizations from both Canada and the United States, who have been instrumental in this process.

Canada’s New Government has been, and remains, concerned about the potential impact of WHTI on the economies and border communities of both countries.

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.”

For further information:

Visit: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Mélisa Leclerc
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of Public Safety
613-991-2863