News Release

National 2007

The Government of Canada announces that NEXUS and FAST application fees will be reduced to CAN$50

Ottawa, Ontario, October 24, 2007 - The Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Stockwell Day, announced today that on December 1, 2007, the Government of Canada will reduce the CAN$80 application fees for the NEXUS and the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) programs to CAN$50, which will coincide with the current cost of these application fees in the United States at US$50.

"This new application fee is a result of the strong Canadian economy," said Minister Day. "Canadians work hard to support themselves and their families. When they purchase goods, they deserve to pay a price that reflects the strength of the Canadian dollar."

NEXUS is a joint Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that is designed to simplify border crossings for pre-approved travellers. It is currently available at eight major Canadian airports and 11 land border crossings.

FAST is a joint CBSA-U.S. CBP commercial program that provides pre-approved and security-cleared carriers, importers and drivers with an enhanced and speedier clearance process at the Canada-U.S. land border. It is available at 22 land border crossings across the country.

The NEXUS and FAST cards are also accepted alternative documents to the passport under the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), a U.S. law that will eventually require all Canadians and Americans who are entering the United States to have a valid passport or other approved WHTI-compliant document.

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For media information:

Mélisa Leclerc
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of Public Safety
(613) 991-2863

CBSA Media Relations