WHTI, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, is the US law that’s changing what documentation we’ll need when crossing the border. In partial effect now, it’s going full tilt on June 1st 2009. That’s a little less than a year. What will you need to cross at a border? One of the following;
- a valid Canadian passport or
- a NEXUS card or
- a FAST card (land travel only) or
- an Enhanced Driver’s License (land travel only)
The first two are good at any border crossing — land or air. We all know what a Canadian passport is, but what about a NEXUS card? “NEXUS is designed to expedite the border clearance process for low-risk, pre-approved travellers into Canada and the United States.” So it’s basically EZPass for regular border-crossers. If you work in the states or travel their on business frequently, it might be worth looking into.
FAST cards are for commercial transport, so there’s not much reason to go into too much detail there.
Now for the really interesting one: an Enhanced Driver’s License, or EDL. EDL’s are new driver’s licenses that meet WHTI standards for confirming both identity and citizenship. The only province to offer EDL-approved licenses so far is BC. Ontario Minister of Transportation Jim Bradley believes the new Ontario licenses will meet the requirements as well, however no official word has popped up from the US about whether or not it will be adequate.
So there you have it. Now you have 10 months to prove yourself the “smart” in SmartCanucks. It may not save you money, but it will save you time and frustration.
SO…I am extrememly familiar with the NEXUS card as everyone in my family has one. Be advised that when travelling by air, you will have great difficulty in the US as they do not know what a NEXUS card is. I travelled to Florida in February the only form of ID I had on me was my NEXUS card which is “supposed” to be sufficent.(I had lost my drivers license and was waiting for replacement) When I got to the airport, I was detained.
My point is.….get a Passport. Every employee at all airports are trained on them, NEXUS is virtually unheard of as it is not in all airports and therefore they have no idea what it is!
The new drivers licenses are weird looking, I just got a new health card and its the same looking, very strange.
I guess well have to get passports, its just such a pain with kids.
“So it’s basically EZPass for regular border-crossers.“
No, not really. EZPass is for paying tolls and makes it so that you don’t have to worry about carrying cash or stopping to pay. Nexus is a form of identification and if you don’t have it (or a passport) then you may not get into the US. With a Nexus card you still may have to pay taxes and duties on purchase made in the US. If you have made purchases you have to go through the regular lanes at the border unless you wish to submit a declaration card and pay taxes/duties made on all purchases.
Ontario EDL is not approved for travel to the U.S. Only a test pilot of B.C. EDL are good for enty to the U.S.
Maybe it’s a good idea to stay home to shop, and fuel our own economy!!
It isnt if you only live an hour from the border and can get the stuff you want 50% cheaper just across the border lol!
My parents-in-law have to shop across the border while at their cottage unless they want to drive an hour back to Canadian civilization.
I’ve got a passport, but I think I have to renew it soon.
Sally, 2 hours of driving, adding pollution to the environment shopping in stores that don’t employ my kids or neighbours, no thanks.
The U.S. spends $10 million an hour controlling (or trying to) Iraq. Not one cent of my money will ever pay for any of that!!
That’s what makes me a smart canuck!!!!
Well said, Thrifty.
Sally, you should be ashamed of yourself. Get your priorities straight.
Hey… take it easy on Sally. It’s not like she’s harbouring terrorists or anything…
I choose to shop in the US, not only because of its better prices, but better selection and service. I can’t count the number of times I’ve had to deal with snotty salesmen at Canadian car dealerships, with its ‘no we won’t discount, take it or leave it’ attitude. That was enough to send me across the border to purchase my latest vehicle.… with better service and saving thousands in the process.
It’s okay.… continue being the good sheep that you are.
Let’s all get along. We all have our reasons for or against shopping in the US — and I think both sides have very valid reasons. No need to put anyone done. My brother loves the selection in the US, myself, I think “why do I need 75 types of chips to choose from?” I’m happy with my 20 selections!!! Keeps me skinnier…LOL ;o)