Canada and the United States Announce Plans to Increase NEXUS Benefits

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 8, 2012) - The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced today they are delivering on key commitments under the U.S.-Canada Beyond the Border Action Plan for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness-increasing benefits to NEXUS members, streamlining the NEXUS membership renewal process and launching a plan to increase NEXUS membership.

"Our Government's top priority is creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity," said Minister Toews, Minister of Public Safety. "The Border Action Plan is designed to speed up legitimate trade and travel, and improve security in North America by aligning the entry of people and goods at the perimeter while streamlining processes at the Canada-U.S. border. With these commitments to retain and increase NEXUS membership, Canada and the United States will increase efficiency to better focus their resources and examination efforts on travellers of high or unknown risk."

"CBP and the CBSA are working together to expand NEXUS membership and enhance its benefits, to ensure more pre-screened travellers enjoy expedited processing at the border," said CBP Commissioner David Aguilar. "This is just one of a number of initiatives the United States and Canada are undertaking as part of the Beyond the Border Action Plan that will help facilitate lawful trade and travel while enhancing security.

The NEXUS program allows pre-screened travellers expedited processing by Canadian and United States officials across the Canada-U.S. border at designated air, land and marine locations.

Delivering on their commitment to streamline the membership renewal process for the NEXUS program, the CBSA and CBP will waive the interview for members who have not had changes to their information and have maintained their low-risk status. Canada and the United States also announced that they have begun enrolment blitzes to expedite the processing of NEXUS applications and have launched an outreach and awareness plan to increase membership in NEXUS.

As part of our work refining the NEXUS program, earlier this year, additional benefits were announced including a new trusted traveller kiosk at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to expedite passage for members flying into Canada; and a NEXUS lane at the Queenston/Lewiston Bridge.

Enhancements to the NEXUS program are critical to facilitating the lawful flow of pre-approved, low-risk travellers while enabling a focus on people about whom we know the least. Increased membership further encourages cross-border travel, supporting both Canadian and American economies.

On February 4, 2011, Prime Minister Harper and President Obama released the Beyond the Border Declaration, articulating a shared vision in which our countries work together to address threats at the earliest point possible while facilitating the legitimate movement of people, goods and services across our shared border. The Action Plan, released on December 2011, outlines the specific steps our countries intend to take to achieve the security and economic competitiveness goals outlined in the Beyond the Border Declaration.

For more information on the Action Plan on Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness, please visit the Web site www.borderactionplan.gc.ca.

For more information on NEXUS, go to www.nexus.gc.ca.

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