Question RE: Passports for Canada travel

[purr]

My aunt lives in Mississauga, Ontario and she just told me that by the end of the year to travel in or out of Canada you need a passport. She said that the USA stated its safer that way???

One.. anyone else hear of this?

Two.. Do my kids (ages 4 & 2) need one so we can visit? I already have one so I'm not worried.

[terrya]

1. Yes. You will need a passport to go to Canada or Mexico.

By the end of the year. Homeland Security wants to tighten security at the border.

[ScreamingMeemie]

2. I thought it was to come into the U.S. from Canada that you needed

a passport. I live right by the border and we asked the Canadian border guard and this is what he told us. :shrug:

[SidDithers]

3. Proposed but not finalized yet, I think...

Canadians travelling to the US will need a passport for air and sea travel by the end of 2006, and for land travel by the end of 2007.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050407/PASS07/TPNational/Canada

Sid

[Logiola]

4. it will not be done till the end of 2007.. untill then you are fine

[Goathead]

5. Yes heard it on NPR yesterday.

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2005/44228.htm

[miss_kitty]

6. here's a link to a news story about it

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/11322881.htm
<snip>
"WASHINGTON - Americans will be required to show U.S. passports when they re-enter the United States from Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean by 2008 under proposed new rules announced Tuesday by the State and Homeland Security departments.

The new policy, which would be phased in by 2008 and is designed to thwart terrorists from exploiting the relative ease of travel in North America, means that Americans who lack U.S. passports would have to obtain them to travel between the United States and neighboring nations. It also will require Mexicans and Canadians to present passports or another official document to enter this country, with details to be determined.

The regulations mark a dramatic shift from a policy that allows Americans to return home from neighboring countries without a passport..."

Ooooooooooh! the terryists are gonna git us!

[purr]

7. Thanks for the replies...

Its amazing what this is coming to..

Do the kids need one tho? I think its pretty pointless for a 2 year old to get one, but if thats what I need to visit..

[shesemsmom]

8. Yes your kids need one also. Ridiculous isn't it

I looked into it last night. The US postal Service say they cost 98 dollars I believe it was with all the fee. That will rip my house off another 100 bucks.

[purr]

10. $98!!!!!

ok.. hubby - 100.. 2 kids - 200.. 300 down the drain to get a book with pictures in it. geesh.

[shesemsmom]

12. I agree but we are going to start getting ours soon.

The prices will only go up

[trof]

9. Highly recommended now.

We went to B.C. last summer and the airline recommended we bring passports. Made things a little easier.

[BikeWriter]

11. One of my best Friends is dual citizen...

She is a Sitka first nations tribal member and New Orleans Creole. She threw a hissy fit about the passport thing.