Canadian travel to the United States is on the decline, prompting an Alberta senator to advocate for a Canadian-specific trusted traveller program to expedite airport security processes. Senator Paula Simons proposed this program in Parliament last year, aiming to have the federal government establish it.
Currently, verified travellers in Canada, such as military personnel, RCMP members, and select police officers, can access dedicated security lines after undergoing rigorous background checks. However, the only way for the general public to become a verified traveller is through the joint U.S.-Canada Nexus program, which requires interviews with both countries’ border agents. Due to pandemic-related restrictions, Canadians now have to travel to the U.S. for these interviews, a process that was previously conducted in Canada.
Simons’ proposed program would be separate from Nexus and tailored specifically for Canadian travellers, not offering the same benefits related to U.S. customs clearance. The Parliamentary Budget Office estimates that implementing this program would cost taxpayers $7 million over five years, with an application fee estimated at $50 per person. Simons suggests that a slightly higher fee could help the program break even, highlighting that the Nexus application fee is $120 US.
In the U.S., there is a distinct verified traveller program called TSA PreCheck, which operates independently from Nexus. The Canadian Airports Council supports Simons’ proposal, advocating for a domestic trusted traveller program that would enhance screening efficiency and border entry for more Canadians without reliance on Nexus.
With fewer Canadians travelling to the U.S., Simons argues for the human rights aspect of having a Canadian-owned trusted traveller program. She points out discriminatory practices in the U.S. Nexus application process, where individuals are required to choose a gender marker, potentially infringing on Charter rights for transgender, non-binary, and two-spirit Canadians.
Simons expects a vote on her motion in the coming months, expressing optimism that the government will act on the idea if it garners support.