...until at least the summer of 2008, security officials said Wednesday, a reprieve that critics, including Roger Dow, president and chief executive officer of the Travel Industry Association (TIA), deemed far too short. More confusion as passport regs change yet again. 
Though it has been patently clear for some time that security would not be ready for the original schedule date, American officials maintained until just days ago that they'd stick to their original plan to start requiring passports at land and sea crossings at the beginning of 2008.

With both sides of the border buried under an avalanche of passport applications, driver's licences and birth certificates will suffice for several months starting next January 31. “Get it right, first” say critics However, US legislators and Canadian critics of the security plan, were quick to insist on a longer delay- until June 2009, to cut the confusion and reduce damage to trade and tourism.Speaking at a Discover America luncheon in Toronto yesterday, Dow said the uncertainty and restrictions are severely hurting travel and trade between the US, Canada and Mexico. The system needs to be tested, he said “let’s be sure” said Dow, “let’s get it right”.  Dow advocates a wait till June 2009 saying the additional time is needed for testing and a specific date preferable to the uncertainty of the “on or before date” being suggested. Having a precise date is critical, he said, especially to leisure travellers. But Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said that after working closely with Canada, “we've come to understand that it's important to build flexibility in our systems. We're not going to drop the axe on January 1, 2008,'' He praised high-technology driver's licences as potential alternatives one day, a move Canada supports.Terrorists will be stymied by passport requirement It would be dangerous to substantially delay requiring passports, said Chertoff, because it's a critical tool in reducing bogus documents and keeping terrorists out of the United States. Those who don't believe that are “playing with fire,'' said Chertoff, who cited the arrest of alleged terror cell members in Canada last year as proof they're active north of the border. Even Andrew Speaker, the Atlanta lawyer with a drug-resistant form of tuberculosis, knew to enter the United States via Canada to remain undetected, he said. Passports will be required at an unspecified later date, probably next summer, depending on the availability on both sides of the border.

``Excuses and interminable delay will ring very hollow in a year or two if it turns out there's an attack and somebody's come through using phoney identification because we didn't get this done,'' said Chertoff.

In Ottawa, US Ambassador David Wilkins said concerns about the plan in Canada ``have been heard loud and clear in Washington.''

But Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day encouraged Canadians to get a passport anyway, saying it's “a smart thing to do.''

It's the second time this month US officials have put off plans to require a passport from everyone entering the United States from Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean. Last week, Chertoff was forced to announce a break until the end of September for American air travellers.

And there's been a lot of leniency for the small number of Canadian flyers who don't have them.

While requiring passports of air travellers since January 23 has caused enough problems, the second phase of the security plan is expected to generate a much bigger onslaught of applications.

And many don't see how the US system can possibly handle them.

Passport alternatives are suggested

``Today's huge passport backlogs,'' said Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy, ``are just a taste of the chaos that's likely next summer.''

Legislators want Chertoff to first investigate whether enhanced driver's licences could serve just as well as passports, while studying the economic impact of the whole security plan.

Critics say it just doesn't make sense to proceed until officials analyze the results of a pilot project using enhanced licences at crossings between British Columbia and Washington state.

They also want to make sure the United States is ready to roll out a cheaper passport alternative for Americans, known as a pass card. Canada has no plans to develop a similar card.

``June 2009 is the better date,'' said Len Crispino, president of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

``Every day there seems to be a new twist. Confusion leads to uncertainty and, bottom line, who gets hurt is business,'' said Crispino.

Firm…but flexible

Security officials insisted almost right up until the delay was announced that they'd proceed as planned January 1.

But a senior State Department official, hauled on the carpet by angry senators over months-long delays in getting passports, signalled Tuesday there would be some flexibility.

What does seem to be definite is that starting in late January (there seems to be some discrepancy with dates – both the 23 or the 31 have been cited), oral declarations of citizenship will no longer be accepted at the Canada-US border.

Possibly as of late January 2008, the regulations could be:  

•    Proof of citizenship, like a birth certificate will also be required.

•    Passports or a cards from a trusted traveller programme like NEXUS or FAST are acceptable but not required.

•    Children under 16, as well as teens aged 18 and under travelling in school, cultural and sports groups, will need need certified copies of their birth certificates.

Adults will need a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's licence.