Government of Canada's Response to WHTI

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http://geo.international.gc.ca/can-am/main...nt_08_29-en.asp

Canada's official comment to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking outlining proposed entry requirements for Canadians and Americans entering the U.S. by land and sea is now public. You will find the summary below.

To view the entire text please visit http://geo.international.gc.ca/can-am/main...nt_08_29-en.asp.

The comment can also be accessed by visiting the U.S. Federal Register at http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/comp...USCBP-2007-0061. Select page 21, and click on the PDF icon which appears next to "Comment Submitted by the Government of Canada (Attachment)".

Official Comment of the Government of Canada:

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Implementation of the

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative at Land and Sea Ports of Entry

Summary

The Government of Canada supports the security objectives underlying the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). We believe it can—and must—be implemented in a manner which does not needlessly disrupt legitimate tourism and travel, or undermine the historic and unique economic and social relationship between our two countries. We believe that our shared purpose must be to ensure the continuing efficient flow of legitimate trade and travel across our shared border which has benefited both our countries and our people. Canada is encouraged by the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking’s (NPRM’s) proposed phased approach to implementation, but recommends that any final rulemaking include a more explicit acceptance of alternative WHTI-compliant documents and include a phase-in of document requirements extended beyond the summer of 2008 to allow sufficient time for Canadians and Americans to acquire the necessary documents, and to allow for the assessment, development and distribution of alternative documents. The Government of Canada also feels that a clear and consistent communications strategy is required to avoid confusion among travellers and potential border congestion and delays. There is also a need for a more detailed analysis of the economic impact of WHTI implementation at land and sea ports of entry.