The border crossing between Osoyoos and Oroville. (File photo)
Osoyoos residents popping down to Oroville for gas or groceries, or heading on vacation to the United States, will soon have their personal information collected by Canadian authorities as they depart.
But the federal government says a bill introduced in the House of Commons on June 15 won’t cause any delays crossing the border.
“There will be no new border infrastructure and no additional stops required,” Esme Bailey, a spokesperson for Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) told the Osoyoos Times. “The collection of information will be seamless to the traveller.”
That’s because Bill C-21, An Act to Amend the Customs Act, will allow Canadian and U.S. authorities to electronically exchange biographic information on people departing and arriving in each other’s country.
“The record of a traveller’s entry into one country will be used to establish the traveller’s exit from the other,” said Bailey.
The move will allow CBSA to collect routine biographic information on all travellers exiting Canada, which the government says will make the border more secure.
“We are committed to protecting Canadians and their individual rights and freedoms,” said Ralph Goodale, minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.
“It’s important that we have a clear picture of who is entering and exiting our country so we can ensure the efficient movement of legitimate trade and keep our border secure,” Goodale added.
The legislation results from a March 10 agreement between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Barack Obama.
Currently Canada collects biographic information on travellers entering the country, but authorities have no way of knowing when and where travellers exit Canada.
The information exchanged will be that found on page 2 of a passport.
The government says it will allow it to respond more effectively in time-sensitive situations such as child abductions and to eliminate wasted time and resources spent on immigration warrants for people who have already left the country.
It will also allow the government to ensure visitors don’t overstay their visas and to make sure people applying for permanent residency or citizenship have complied with residency requirements.
And it will verify that Canadians claiming duty and tax exemptions when they return to Canada have actually left Canada when they say they have.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
