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charlene · 07-21-2006, 02:27 PM

POSTED ON 21/07/06

Canadian, American mayors unite in protest of passport requirement
Cities fear security measure will hit trade
ANGELA PACIENZA

Canadian Press

WINDSOR, ONT. -- Mayors from Canada and the U.S. united yesterday in their fight to delay the implementation of the controversial Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative until an affordable and convenient alternative to the passport can be found.

"It's important for us to find a real solution . . . something that's affordable, available and accessible and that's going to keep people travelling," said Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis, host of a day-long meeting of about 60 mayors and other government officials.

The coalition of mayors called on the U.S. government to find a better solution to the passport requirement -- one that won't ruin the close ties between the two countries.

There is growing concern the security measure, set to take effect in 2008, will put a serious dent in everyday trade and travel, especially at border communities such as Windsor-Detroit, Niagara-Buffalo and Lower Mainland B.C.-northwest Washington where people are known to make a trip just to check out a new restaurant or club.

Under the initiative, people will need passports or yet-to-be-determined high-tech ID cards in order to enter the U.S. -- something the mayors and others argue isn't an affordable option for families who want to vacation close to home.

"I have six children. For me to get passports to go visit my family, my friends -- that's going to cost me $700," said Dan Onichuk, mayor of Fort Francis, Ont., which borders International Falls, Minn.

Mr. Onichuk said the U.S. passport requirement will mean an end to the interconnectivity of the two cities. "It's a very scary proposition," he said, adding his teenage children frequently cross the border to go to the movies, while International Falls residents visit his municipality to use the area's only curling rink.

"It will end the way that we socially and economically get together," he said. "It will mean a major change for us."

The U.S. security plan is set to take effect by Jan. 1, 2008, although there are suggestions that it will be delayed until 2009 given mounting pressure on the Americans.

Many U.S. governors and Canadian premiers have already voiced concern about the impact on trade and tourism given the two countries share a 9,000-kilometre-long border. Business groups peg the damage at about $2-billion in lost revenue in Canada and about half that south of the border.

Frank Moss, Washington-based deputy assistant secretary of Passport Services, acknowledged there will be some snags as the U.S. moves into tighter security measures, a process started after the terrorist attacks in September, 2001.

He called yesterday's meeting an informative day but wouldn't comment on whether the U.S. would change or delay the legislation.

"It was an excellent opportunity for U.S. policy makers and their Canadian counterparts and elected officials to have a full discussion . . . and yes, some of the complications that all of us have to face as we move WHTI from a legal requirement on the U.S. side to a reality at the borders," he said.

The Canadian government has said it's worried because the U.S. has not outlined any details about its plans, or whether it will allow other documents aside from passports -- such as enhanced, finger-printed driver's licences -- to be used.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper raised the issue in his recent meeting with President George Bush. But some mayors at yesterday's meeting said Mr. Harper needs to be more vocal in Washington about the security measure's potential harm.

AND

Cross-border travel won't be impeded by passports: U.S.

Traffic crosses the Ambassador Bridge, which spans the border between Windsor and Detroit.
Edmonton Journal
Published: Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Travel and trade between Canada and the United States will not be impeded by a new requirement for documents at the border, say U.S. homeland security chief Michael Chertoff Canadian Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day.
The two discussed the issue twice in Edmonton - once during an early morning run through the river valley and later today in a formal meeting at the Hotel MacDonald.

The requirement for new documents, U.S. legislation called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, has been an irritant between the two countries.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, in his recent visit to Washington, told president George W. Bush that the American obsession with security could threaten the historic ties between the two neighbours.

Starting in Jan. 1 2007 people flying into the U.S. or arriving by ship will be required to carry a passport. In 2008, those crossing by land will be required to produce some sort of "smart card" containing encrypted information about the holder's identity and nationality.

Chertoff announced today that people arriving by pleasure craft or by ferry will be treated as people crossing by land.

That could have a major impact on provinces like Ontario and British Columbia, where many people cross daily by water.

"We are continuing to work on developing alternatives to passport as it relates to land crossings so we don't compromise our position of relative ease of movement between the borders," Chertoff said at a news conference.

He and Day were attending a meeting of the Pacific North West Economic Region in Edmonton.

07-21-2006, 02:27 PM	#29
charlene Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 16,001	POSTED ON 21/07/06 Canadian, American mayors unite in protest of passport requirement Cities fear security measure will hit trade ANGELA PACIENZA Canadian Press WINDSOR, ONT. -- Mayors from Canada and the U.S. united yesterday in their fight to delay the implementation of the controversial Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative until an affordable and convenient alternative to the passport can be found. "It's important for us to find a real solution . . . something that's affordable, available and accessible and that's going to keep people travelling," said Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis, host of a day-long meeting of about 60 mayors and other government officials. The coalition of mayors called on the U.S. government to find a better solution to the passport requirement -- one that won't ruin the close ties between the two countries. There is growing concern the security measure, set to take effect in 2008, will put a serious dent in everyday trade and travel, especially at border communities such as Windsor-Detroit, Niagara-Buffalo and Lower Mainland B.C.-northwest Washington where people are known to make a trip just to check out a new restaurant or club. Under the initiative, people will need passports or yet-to-be-determined high-tech ID cards in order to enter the U.S. -- something the mayors and others argue isn't an affordable option for families who want to vacation close to home. "I have six children. For me to get passports to go visit my family, my friends -- that's going to cost me $700," said Dan Onichuk, mayor of Fort Francis, Ont., which borders International Falls, Minn. Mr. Onichuk said the U.S. passport requirement will mean an end to the interconnectivity of the two cities. "It's a very scary proposition," he said, adding his teenage children frequently cross the border to go to the movies, while International Falls residents visit his municipality to use the area's only curling rink. "It will end the way that we socially and economically get together," he said. "It will mean a major change for us." The U.S. security plan is set to take effect by Jan. 1, 2008, although there are suggestions that it will be delayed until 2009 given mounting pressure on the Americans. Many U.S. governors and Canadian premiers have already voiced concern about the impact on trade and tourism given the two countries share a 9,000-kilometre-long border. Business groups peg the damage at about $2-billion in lost revenue in Canada and about half that south of the border. Frank Moss, Washington-based deputy assistant secretary of Passport Services, acknowledged there will be some snags as the U.S. moves into tighter security measures, a process started after the terrorist attacks in September, 2001. He called yesterday's meeting an informative day but wouldn't comment on whether the U.S. would change or delay the legislation. "It was an excellent opportunity for U.S. policy makers and their Canadian counterparts and elected officials to have a full discussion . . . and yes, some of the complications that all of us have to face as we move WHTI from a legal requirement on the U.S. side to a reality at the borders," he said. The Canadian government has said it's worried because the U.S. has not outlined any details about its plans, or whether it will allow other documents aside from passports -- such as enhanced, finger-printed driver's licences -- to be used. Prime Minister Stephen Harper raised the issue in his recent meeting with President George Bush. But some mayors at yesterday's meeting said Mr. Harper needs to be more vocal in Washington about the security measure's potential harm. AND Cross-border travel won't be impeded by passports: U.S. Traffic crosses the Ambassador Bridge, which spans the border between Windsor and Detroit. Edmonton Journal Published: Tuesday, July 18, 2006 Travel and trade between Canada and the United States will not be impeded by a new requirement for documents at the border, say U.S. homeland security chief Michael Chertoff Canadian Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day. The two discussed the issue twice in Edmonton - once during an early morning run through the river valley and later today in a formal meeting at the Hotel MacDonald. The requirement for new documents, U.S. legislation called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, has been an irritant between the two countries. Prime Minister Stephen Harper, in his recent visit to Washington, told president George W. Bush that the American obsession with security could threaten the historic ties between the two neighbours. Starting in Jan. 1 2007 people flying into the U.S. or arriving by ship will be required to carry a passport. In 2008, those crossing by land will be required to produce some sort of "smart card" containing encrypted information about the holder's identity and nationality. Chertoff announced today that people arriving by pleasure craft or by ferry will be treated as people crossing by land. That could have a major impact on provinces like Ontario and British Columbia, where many people cross daily by water. "We are continuing to work on developing alternatives to passport as it relates to land crossings so we don't compromise our position of relative ease of movement between the borders," Chertoff said at a news conference. He and Day were attending a meeting of the Pacific North West Economic Region in Edmonton.