Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada must be able to stay true to its values as it tries to resolve a dispute with the United States over legal protections for U.S. customs officials working in Canada.
“Talks and discussions are taking place with the United States,” Trudeau said in Prince Edward Island on Friday.
“I think it’s really important that we can stay true to our values as Canadians, but respect the way we have to work together,” he said. “These are ongoing talks and I hope they will be resolved soon.
The dispute kept NEXUS enrollment centers closed in Canada more than three months after they reopened south of the border — in part because of a clash over the right of U.S. agents to carry weapons on Canadian soil.
The standoff has led to a huge backlog of applications for the program, which allows pre-approved travelers to cross the border more quickly.
Sidearms remain a hindrance
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said the number of NEXUS applications rose from 270,000 in April to more than 341,000 at a time when travel delays are wreaking havoc on travelers’ summer plans.
“We know airlines are facing labor shortages, airports are having trouble hiring people, there are a lot of challenges, and it’s not just limited to Canada, we’re seeing it all over the world,” Trudeau said Friday.
“I can tell you that the Minister of Transport is very, very committed to the resumption of air transport.
WATCH | Why Canadians are experiencing delays renewing NEXUS cards:
Canadian Nexus cardholders are facing major renewal delays
Nearly 300,000 Canadians with Nexus cards — which expedite entry to the U.S. — are waiting to get their cards renewed.
CBSA spokeswoman Rebecca Purdy said in an email that Canada and the U.S. remain “in discussions” about when the 13 enrollment centers will reopen for applicant interviews as the two sides try to clarify “legal protections” for U.S. customs officials. while working in the centers with joint staff.
US Customs and Border Protection confirmed that the hold revolved around legal protections for NEXUS office staff, saying in an email that “one example may include the authority to carry or access a firearm while on duty.”
Two senior Canadian government sources told The Canadian Press that the U.S. wants its customs officials who work at NEXUS centers to have the same protections guaranteed as its other pre-clearance officials on Canadian soil, with weapons a major sticking point in negotiations.
Add Comment