Ontario Government Voices Concern About U.S. Passport Proposal
Current U.S. Proposal Threatens Prosperity On Both Sides Of The Border

TORONTO — The Ontario government is calling upon the United States to reconsider their proposed passport initiative under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) which, in 2008, would require all Canadians and Americans returning from visiting Canada to have a passport to enter the United States. The government's submission to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was delivered today.

 

"The authors of the passport requirement were right to think about border security, but the proposal threatens unintended economic damage," said Ontario Minister of Tourism and Jim Bradley. "The American economy has as much to lose from the passport requirement as Canada does."

 

Ontario is the largest Canadian port of entry into the U.S., accounting for 52 per cent of all Canadian border crossings into the U.S. during 2004. In that year Ontario received 21.4 million U.S. visitors, whose expenditures amounted to nearly US$3.3 billion. The U.S. received 18.3 million visits from Ontario residents, who spent approximately US$4.3 billion. The economic importance is further magnified considering that 31.5 million visits were made by Canadians to the United States in 2004, spending US$7.7 billion.

 

Ontario is proposing to identify and develop alternative forms of "secure documentation", such as a new, more secure drivers licence or other forms of documentation that would comply with the requirements of the U.S. Real ID Act, 2005. 

 

"The Ontario government is prepared and eager to advance these proposals in collaboration with elected representatives from all levels of government in Canada and the United States," said Bradley. "We are strongly urging the U.S. Government to take into account the concerns expressed by many on both sides of the border, and the potential impacts on both economies."

 

Bradley also expressed his concern that the requirement of a passport- like document will not only affect the economy and business but also friends, families, historic and vital personal relationships.

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Contacts:
David Oved, Minister’s Office, (416) 314-1400
Gary Wheeler, Communications Branch, (416) 325-8391

 

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