Today, Monday June 1, 2009, is the first day of the new rules for crossing the border from Canada into the US. We now have to have passports in order to enjoy visiting our closest neighbor. This has taken eight years to be put into force and the first time in history that the border is defended. In a way, it's kind of sad.
In order for us to visit friends in the US, we now have to pay $85 per person for a passport. Not everyone that would like to visit the US has money to spend on something that they only use once or twice a year, or even once every two or three years.
I see both the pros and cons to this new criteria. The negative is that when visiting Niagara Falls, we can't just decide to cross over to the US for a few hours...something that we've done many times in the past.
What do you think of the new laws that prohibit both Canadians and Mexicans from passing freely over the border into the US?
If I start to address this I might rant.
ReplyDeleteI think it's really sad. I usually don't think of Canada as a foreign country - just our neighbors!
ReplyDeleteI don't really see what the idea is between Canada and the USA but I guess I can sort of understand about the lower part where Mexico etc is.
ReplyDeleteVery sad.
ReplyDelete9-11 changed a lot of things for everyone. I don't have a problem with presenting a passport.
ReplyDeleteThere's good....and then there's bad for all things. Considering this, it's probably another conspiracy. Government these days, no matter which country you live in, has decided to give us all less freedoms. And yet, the security issue is at stake. So, as I say --- good and bad. In our country, I think a passport is good for 15 years, isn't it? Not sure.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the Mexico part, considering the amazing amount of illegal immigrants we have - but don't know if this will really help, since they'll still probably sneak in. I think with you guys it's pretty unnecessary!
ReplyDeleteI don't know a lot about this issue, we've never traveled to a foreign country before and probably never will. But I think it's sad. We've been friends with Canada for a very long time, but in these days I guess you have to be more careful.
ReplyDeleteMary....oh Mary?!!! Where for art thou Mary?
ReplyDeleteI emailed you this morning...did you get it?
Hope you're okay. I'm wondering if you're well.
Well, in some states here, it has become too easy to get Driver's liscenses for IDs. The Highjackers of 9-11 were able to get them in multi states. Recently they closed an office in Memphis because the employees were taking bribes to issue liscenses.
ReplyDeleteDo you have to renew your passport every year?
I have heard that passports are a more secure ID and that eventually everyone will have to have one to even fly from state to state. I have one and I used it recently to get my liscense.
I'm sorry that you feel inconveinenced by these new rules but I think I'm for tighter security if it keeps something like that from happening again.
I just wish they would be consistent with their ways of doing things.
Mama Bear
I don't know if I would use the word "sad" in explaining how feel about the pass port thing.
ReplyDeleteWe live about 30 miles from the boarder and lot time when I have out town visitors I like to this loop over Salmo pass and ride the fairy boat across the kootenai lake.
Some state is offering what they call enhance driver lission but Idaho isn't one of them.
With the Economy it going to hurt a lot people both sides.
Not sure were the dollars at but I seen a lot of Canadian rigs at the store parking lot.
Coffee is on.
My husband was doing some work over in Canada and got his "modified license" and just for the heck of it, I got one too. Not such a big deal, but I don't know how much good it will do combating terrorism. They say there are too many places to cross over without being seen.
ReplyDeletePassports are standard ID in Europe and that is what we are coming to. I have had a CDN passport for 35 years now and renew it every 5 years. I don't have a birth certificate as I was not born here so it was always helpful to have alternate ID. The world is a different place now, much smaller, and change is inevitable. I agree the price tag for a passport is high for occasional users. My new driver's license looks pretty high tech and I know they are hoping it can be used for cross border ID soon.
ReplyDeleteI got my passport last year but Steve still hasn't gotten his (lack of funds) so there won't be any crossing into the States from Niagara Falls for us this summer:-( It really is a shame that the USA has decided that Canadians need a passport now to cross...I wonder if Canada will be doing the same soon? Just find it weird that it's only the one way and not both!! A lot of businesses near the borders will suffer because of this. Hope all is well with you, dear Mary! xoxo
ReplyDeleteHey girl.. Not sure how I feel about this, I certainly think it is needed at the Mexican border but not sure about the border going into Canada. I guess once you get that passport then you are good to go...... Dennis was saying the other day that we need to go and get ours..... We plan on doing some traveling next summer with the camper. Pull it over into Canada and park it beside you house and have a cup of tea!
ReplyDeleteI guess I better get one as I do wish to travel north but have no desire to go south of the USA. I have been on vacation (a work one) so I am back. I am glad Brandon had a nice birthday. Your flowers are looking good. I have a little cedar basket that is identical to the one you have put flowers in. I keep my rock collection in it. I pick up a rock when we go somewhere and I put the date and state on each rock. Great treasures. Peace
ReplyDeleteLike you I guess I can kinda see both sides-but looks like they could come up with a day pass or something to prevent folks from having to spend so much money-when they may only cross the border once or twice a year.
ReplyDeleteI think its sad, But some things are out of our control:)
ReplyDeleteAs with you, Mary, I see both the pros and cons. I understand extra security necessities these days...but Canada has always been like a friendly neighbor, so it is kind of sad.
ReplyDeleteIf I get my dream and our family goes to Prince Edward Island next year, it will be more costly and more of a hassle, too...:(
I don't like a lot of things that are going on in the world today. I'm not sure how much danger we are in... seems the news media thinks we should be afraid of everything...one more freedom taken away...
ReplyDelete