OTTAWA — Air passengers heading to the United States will soon find it easier to get through security checks as the federal government will announce Thursday changes to the screening process at Canadian airports.
Little was released Wednesday about what the changes entail, but cabinet ministers are being trotted out at seven Canadian airports for the announcement.
Announcements are scheduled for Calgary, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Ottawa, La Baie, Que., Enfield, N.S. and at the country's busiest airport, Toronto's Pearson International.
The changes stem from the new border security agreement Canada and the United States announced earlier this month. Specific details of the changes will be announced Thursday.
The border agreement, known as Beyond the Border, included provisions and project proposals designed to get goods and travellers across the border faster and with less red tape.
Among the proposals in the agreement was more opportunities for Canadian travellers to obtain NEXUS cards, which allow for faster clearance at border crossings.
The agreement also committed both governments to invest funds to create more lanes for faster clearance at air and land crossings.
As well, beginning next year, the two countries will use the record of exit from one country as a record of entry into the other.
But some proposals in the deal drew criticism from opposition parties, which raised concerns about privacy issues arising from some proposals, including one that will see the two governments start collecting biometric information about passengers.
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