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Harper government announces faster, more convenient air travel to the United States for passengers and their baggage

No. H143/11
For release - December 22, 2011

CALGARY — Following the Beyond the Border announcement made by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama earlier this month, Michelle Rempel, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre-North, announced today that travelling to the United States (U.S.) by air will be easier for Canadian travellers.

The announcement was made at seven airports across Canada. Events were also hosted by the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, at the Bagotville Airport in La Baie; the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport) in Winnipeg; and the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, in Vancouver. Also participating were Pierre Poilievre, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and for the Federal Economic Agency for Southern Ontario, in Ottawa; the Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, in Toronto; and Scott Armstrong, Member of Parliament for Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, in Halifax.

"The Harper government is focused on creating jobs and economic growth, and good news for consumers is good news for our economy," said MP Rempel. "By the time spring break is upon us, it will be easier for air travellers to fly to the United States."

Passengers travelling to the U.S. will soon be able to use NEXUS cards to expedite screening at Canada's eight largest airports (Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver) using dedicated screening lines. The Government of Canada will work closely with airport authorities to fully offer this service beginning in February 2012. NEXUS lines are already operating at all eight major international Canadian airports at domestic and select international checkpoints.

In addition, travellers will also benefit from the elimination of duplicate baggage screening over the next three years. This means that passengers flying from Canadian airports with U.S. pre-clearance facilities will no longer have their baggage screened once on departure from Canada and again at the connecting U.S. airport. This change will make connections through U.S. cities easier and reduces the risk of bags missing connecting flights. These changes will make air travel more convenient between the two countries, while maintaining a high level of aviation security.

"Currently, passengers flying from Canadian airports have their bags screened once on departure from Canada and again at the connecting U.S. airport. This results in delays, missed connections and increased costs for airlines and airports," added MP Rempel. "Soon, Canadians will be able to book tighter connections while travelling to U.S. cities and have a better chance of getting their bags on the same connecting flight."

NEXUS is a binational Canada-U.S. program for pre-approved, low-risk travellers into Canada and the U.S. at designated air, land and marine ports of entry. When travelling by air, NEXUS expedites border clearance by enabling members to enter either country quickly and easily by using self-service kiosks. The expedited pre-board screening lines for NEXUS members travelling to the U.S. is an initiative being implemented by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) and Transport Canada in cooperation with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

For more information, visit www.nexus.gc.ca or call 1-866-NEXUS-26 (1-866-639-8726).

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Date modified:

2011-12-22

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