OTTAWA, Ont. – In comments submitted recently to the US departments of State and Homeland Security, the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) urged the US not to rush ahead with implementation of new document requirements on the land border until there is ample evidence that government and citizens alike are fully prepared for the radical changes along the Canada-US border.

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), individuals seeking entry to the US at land border crossings will be required to present a passport, or other document proving citizenship and identity, to US Customs and Border Protection.

CTA, in its comments on a proposed rule outlining detailed WHTI requirements, believes there is a lot of work to be done before the US will be in a position to implement the new requirements without disrupting legitimate travel and trade between Canada and the US.

According to CTA, the following must be in place before the US proceeds to implement WHTI on the land border: significant passport backlogs must be cleared in the US and Canada; there must be no evidence of backlogs in FAST and NEXUS card processing; any technology deployed in support of WHTI must be field tested; the enhanced drivers licence concept must also be tested.