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EDITORIAL: Good neighbours should get along

In this April 9, 2009 photo, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer Victoria Stephens speaks with a couple using NEXUS identification cards at a border crossing from Canada into the United States at Blaine, Wash.
In this April 9, 2009 photo, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer Victoria Stephens speaks with a couple using NEXUS identification cards at a border crossing from Canada into the United States at Blaine, Wash. Photo by Elaine Thompson /AP Photo

The good news is Canadians can now get interviews for approval of their applications and renewals of Nexus and FAST Trusted Traveller Program cards.

The bad news is they’ll have to do two interviews — one in this country and one in the U.S. Previously, there were multiple interview venues across the country. Now there are only two: Fort Erie and Landsdowne, both in Ontario. To complete their applications, Fort Erie candidates will have to cross the border for a second interview in Buffalo, N.Y. Those who choose Lansdowne will repeat the process in Alexandria, N.Y.

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This adds a preposterous bureaucratic layer to what once was a straightforward process, where applicants sat down with agents from both countries at the same time at a convenient location in the urban centre of their choice.

Canadian Press reported recently there’s an ongoing dispute between the two countries. The U.S. will not send Customs and Border Agents to Canada unless they’re guaranteed the same legal protections they have in America. That includes being armed.

Earlier this fall, it was estimated there’s a 350,000-person Nexus backlog. Applicants paid US$50 (about $68). So the Nexus program is sitting on about US$17.5 million (about $23 million) and prospective travellers are still no closer to getting their cards.

“Nexus and FAST are a win-win for Canada and the U.S. and we’re working hard to find creative solutions to reduce wait times, address the backlog and help more travellers get Nexus cards,” Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said in a press release. FAST cards allow holders to pre-clear trucks for border crossings.

“This new, two-step process is further proof of our commitment to it. We’ll keep finding solutions that leverage technology and streamline renewals,” he said. Well, no. Two steps aren’t better than one in this case.

Quite apart from the inconvenience to individuals who cross the border for tourism or family gatherings, business leaders point out that the ability to cross the border in a timely fashion is critical to the billions of dollars in trade that go back and forth every day.

So, in order to cross the border without hassles, you have to go through the hassle of crossing the border. Surely two civilized neighbours can work this out.