U.S. to OK licence for border crossing
Ontario will improve security features on its driver's licences.
TORONTO -- The United States is just "weeks away" from announcing Ontario residents will be able to cross the border using a new, high-tech driver's licence in place of their passport, Tourism Minister Jim Bradley said yesterday.
The province has been fighting for just such an agreement since the U.S. government announced it will require all vehicle passengers to present passports at land border crossings by 2008 at the latest.
"It's a matter of weeks that we're going to see a formal announcement," Bradley told CP. "It appears Washington is warming to this proposal. . . . The climate seems to be changing from cold to warm."
Bradley's optimism partially stems from comments made Wednesday by the American ambassador to Canada.
On a trip to Winnipeg, David Wilkins hinted it's possible a tentative agreement between British Columbia and the state of Washington to upgrade driver's licences to standards demanded by U.S. Homeland Security could be extended to Manitoba and North Dakota or Minnesota.
As Washington's representative in Canada, Wilkins has been the hold-out in the discussion while Canadian provinces and American states argued for a more flexible cross-border agreement, Bradley said.
American officials have recently been impressed with details and security features of Ontario's new driver's licences, Bradley added.
The new licence -- which will include laser technology, holograms and embedded security in the card -- should be rolled out by the end of the year.
Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com
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Ontario will improve security features on its driver's licences.
TORONTO -- The United States is just "weeks away" from announcing Ontario residents will be able to cross the border using a new, high-tech driver's licence in place of their passport, Tourism Minister Jim Bradley said yesterday.
The province has been fighting for just such an agreement since the U.S. government announced it will require all vehicle passengers to present passports at land border crossings by 2008 at the latest.
"It's a matter of weeks that we're going to see a formal announcement," Bradley told CP. "It appears Washington is warming to this proposal. . . . The climate seems to be changing from cold to warm."
Bradley's optimism partially stems from comments made Wednesday by the American ambassador to Canada.
On a trip to Winnipeg, David Wilkins hinted it's possible a tentative agreement between British Columbia and the state of Washington to upgrade driver's licences to standards demanded by U.S. Homeland Security could be extended to Manitoba and North Dakota or Minnesota.
As Washington's representative in Canada, Wilkins has been the hold-out in the discussion while Canadian provinces and American states argued for a more flexible cross-border agreement, Bradley said.
American officials have recently been impressed with details and security features of Ontario's new driver's licences, Bradley added.
The new licence -- which will include laser technology, holograms and embedded security in the card -- should be rolled out by the end of the year.
Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com
5 out of 4 people don't understand fractions.
37% of Americans agree that while they would hate being British, they wouldn't mind having a British accent.
99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
I hate the country, all those animals walking around un-cooked.
-----------------------------------------
Thanks For Visiting EO!
[p]
http://www.expeditersonline.com/hotnews/sterling_eo_forum.jpg
Please Help Us Get The Word
Out About Expediters Online.com!
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