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<html> <head> <meta name="Generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 8"> <title>CANADA-U.S. AGREEMENT LEADS TO INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION FOR IMPROVED CUSTOMS SERVICES</title> </head> <body text="#000000" link="#0000ff" vlink="#551a8b" alink="#ff0000" bgcolor="#c0c0c0"> December 1, 1998 (5:00 p.m. EST) No. 276 CANADA-U.S. AGREEMENT LEADS TO INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION FOR IMPROVED CUSTOMS SERVICES The Government of Canada today announced that it has introduced legislation into the Senate that defines the authorities for U.S. Customs and Immigration officers in preclearance areas in Canadian airports. The proposed legislation paves the way for the expansion of streamlined intransit preclearance facilities in Canadian airports. These arrangements will be reciprocated by the United States. "This new legislation provides for faster and easier access to the United States, and ensures travellers' rights under Canadian law," said Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy. "The Preclearance Act is a key element in our efforts to build a 21st century border with the U.S." The Preclearance Act will provide U.S. preclearance officers with appropriate authorities to clear people and goods into the United States, while ensuring that travellers' rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms are fully protected. "Expansion of intransit preclearance services to Canadian airports allows Canadian air carriers and airports to build on the Open Skies agreement," said Transport Minister David Collenette. "This legislation reflects the success of the Agreement and the willingness of our countries to co-operate with a focus on the future of transport." "This reciprocal legislation will enable Canada and the United States to modernize the management of our shared border," said National Revenue Minister Herb Dhaliwal. "The Preclearance Act will benefit travellers and Canadian businesses that depend on an efficient border." Canada and the United States also announced agreement on nation-wide expansion of intransit preclearance services. Intransit preclearance services have been provided at the Vancouver International Airport on a pilot basis since June 1997. Under this initiative, all Canadian airports with existing U.S. preclearance facilities will be eligible for intransit preclearance services. Intransit services at Vancouver will be eligible for indefinite extension. Toronto's Pearson International Airport and the Aéroport de Montréal (Dorval) will be eligible for intransit preclearance in 1999. Calgary intends follow in 2001. Edmonton, Ottawa and Winnipeg would be eligible after 2001. - 30 - A backgrounder is attached. For further information, media representatives may contact: Debora Brown Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (613) 995-1851 Peter Gregg Office of the Minister of Transport (613) 991-0700 Heather Bala Office of the Minister of National Revenue (613) 995-2960 Media Relations Office Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (613) 995-1874 Michel Cleroux Media Relations Revenue Canada (613) 957-3504 This document is also available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca Backgrounder PRECLEARANCE AND INTRANSIT PRECLEARANCE PRECLEARANCE SERVICES AND HOW THEY WORK Since 1952, U.S. preclearance in Canadian airports has made transborder air travel much easier and more convenient for U.S.-bound passengers. Preclearance allows travellers to be inspected by U.S. Customs and Immigration before they depart Canada for U.S. destinations. Precleared passengers enjoy shorter connection times at U.S. airports and direct access to U.S. airports that have no customs or immigration inspection facilities. U.S. preclearance services are now offered at the Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal (Dorval) airports. Canada does not have preclearance sites in the United States, but the U.S. and Canada will discuss such services. Preclearance has been key to facilitating growth in Canada-U.S. air travel, which has increased 37 percent under the 1995 Canada-United States Air Agreement. About 8.5 million passengers are precleared every year. What the Act will do The new law would give U.S. preclearance officers at designated sites in Canada the authority to decide what people and goods are allowed to enter the United States. These officers would administer certain U.S. laws related to customs, immigration, public health, food inspection and plant and animal health, subject to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Bill of Rights. All criminal matters would be dealt with by Canadian authorities under Canadian law. U.S. criminal law would not be enforced in Canada. Strip searches would be performed by Canadian authorities. The U.S. government is amending its existing legislation to fully reciprocate Canada's proposed legislation and provide for Canadian customs preclearance facilities in U.S. airports. NEW INTRANSIT PRECLEARANCE SERVICE AND HOW IT WORKS The Preclearance Act paves the way for expanding and creating new intransit preclearance facilities in Canadian airports. These facilities benefit travellers by offering shorter flight connections and faster routings from Asia and Europe to North America. Currently, international passengers en route to the United States through a Canadian airport must pass through Canadian customs and immigration before seeing a U.S. preclearance officer. Intransit preclearance allows third-country passengers to proceed directly to U.S. preclearance facilities without first going through Canadian inspection. In June 1997, the United States opened an intransit preclearance pilot project in Vancouver, British Columbia. Since that time, over 70 000 passengers have enjoyed more travel choices and shorter transit times. What today's agreement will mean The pilot project at the Vancouver airport has been a success and will become permanent. The United States and Canada will also expand this project to other airports in Canada. All Canadian airports with existing U.S. preclearance facilities will be eligible for intransit preclearance services. Intransit services at Vancouver will be eligible for indefinite extension. Toronto's Pearson International Airport and the Aéroport de Montréal (Dorval) will be eligible for intransit preclearance in 1999. Calgary intends to follow in 2001. Edmonton, Ottawa and Winnipeg would be eligible after 2001. For more information, please refer to our Web site at: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/geo/usa/trans-e.htm </body> </html>

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