Canada pushes for border bill as U.S. lawmakers return to work
WASHINGTON — Canadian diplomats will be pushing for the adoption of border legislation as the current U.S. Congress convenes for its final few months of business.
The embassy in Washington wants U.S. lawmakers to deal with border reforms before a new president and Congress are sworn in next January.
At issue are pilot projects announced by President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, where travellers would clear customs in-land in order to lighten traffic at the actual border.
Implementing legislation needs to be passed in both countries to begin the experiment, which will seek to replicate for land travel the preclearance system that already exists for travellers to the U.S. in major Canadian airports.