Same will be needed about one year later at land border crossings
It's official. Canadians flying to the United States will need to show a passport as of Jan. 23, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said on Nov. 21.
The U.S. government is also moving forward on implementing a law that will require passports or secure documents for land border crossings, which should happen in about one year.
The new requirements might not make that much of a difference for air travellers. Homeland Security conducted a survey and found that 90 per cent of passengers leaving Canadian airports for the U.S. already carry passports and 69 per cent leaving the American airports for Canada do as well.
South of the border, officials are busy educating the public about the passport requirement for air travel. The electronic ticker at New York's Times Square will carry the news on New Year's Eve, ensuring the message is broadcast across the country.
To help frequent travellers in northern border states, Washington plans to issue a passport card, cheaper and smaller than a regular passport. However, Ottawa hasn't decided whether to issue a similar card or seek U.S. approval to recognize security-enhanced versions of existing identification documents, like driver's licences.
About 44 per cent of Canadians hold passports, compared to about 25 per cent of Americans.
The U.S. government is also moving forward on implementing a law that will require passports or secure documents for land border crossings, which should happen in about one year.
The new requirements might not make that much of a difference for air travellers. Homeland Security conducted a survey and found that 90 per cent of passengers leaving Canadian airports for the U.S. already carry passports and 69 per cent leaving the American airports for Canada do as well.
South of the border, officials are busy educating the public about the passport requirement for air travel. The electronic ticker at New York's Times Square will carry the news on New Year's Eve, ensuring the message is broadcast across the country.
To help frequent travellers in northern border states, Washington plans to issue a passport card, cheaper and smaller than a regular passport. However, Ottawa hasn't decided whether to issue a similar card or seek U.S. approval to recognize security-enhanced versions of existing identification documents, like driver's licences.
About 44 per cent of Canadians hold passports, compared to about 25 per cent of Americans.
