ClumsyMonkey.net

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050406/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_travel
It was announced today that Canadians who want to travel into the US will need a passport to do so after 2006. The same goes for any American who wishes to re-enter his country. Canada is also going to go ahead with not allowing Americans into Canada unless they have passports as well.

Personally this sucks big time. My dad lives in the US and the trouble that he's going to have to go through to come across the border is pathetic (he owns a cottage in Canada, plus comes to see my family often).

Commerce will drop between the two countries easily and if anything it is a step in the wrong direction. Canada and the US should be opening up the border, not shutting it down. We need to have an open border to improve both nations and allow us to compete with the EU. What we should have is a type of "fortress North America" where the borders are completely open, but anyone coming onto the continent should have to be inspected.

Anyone else have thoughts on this?

I agree.

I agree here also.

Its really really silly.

My passport recently ran out, at the end of last month. Under the new law, I wont even be able to cross the border. It isnt a problem for me, I rarely go to the States and we kindof have a family rule against it.

However, for truckers and people who commute regularly its a complete hassle. Passports in Canada have to be renewed every 5 years, and its $87.00, plus however much pictures cost, and in some cases processing fees.

I agree with everything you said Jim.

heh
until i get my passport renewed i cant travel down south to see my family

bah that sucks.

Agreed to all of the above. This border security stuff is a lot of bullshit in my opinion. I understand the reasons we are given, but it's still some shit.

At least those damn poor people will stop being able to cross the border!

[/SARCASM]

Are the borders like this in Europe?

you need a passport to cross them, yes.

no. Now in the EU the borders are open. You only need a passport to enter into Europe, not to go from country to country (at least this is the case for the countries that are a part of the EU)

OH RIGHT! SWEET!
i haven't been to europe since that happened so i forgot : DDDDD

If the EU is a progression toward peace, what does that say of the US's actions?

Axtech wrote:If the EU is a progression toward peace, what does that say of the US's actions?

That it's a progression towards paranoia and xenophobia, perhaps?


I wonder how this will affect border towns, like Windsor/Detroit?

I can tell you Niagara falls will be screwed.

I don't if that will solve our problems with the border in Mexico, but I can't help but thinking it will help.

Good think I took my cruise already.

Oy. This sucks.

</nuff said>

then again i shouldve mentioned that i get hassled for looking at the border
i mean
i look at it
and they yell at me
INS loves me

Poor Sand.