NEXUS reaches the 400,000th member mark

OTTAWA, April 30 /CNW Telbec/ - The Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Vic Toews, announced today that the NEXUS program has reached the 400,000th member mark.

"I am pleased that membership in the NEXUS program continues to grow. This vital bi-national program facilitates quick and secure entry into Canada and the United States, helping to promote trade and travel between our two countries," said Minister Toews.

NEXUS has been in operation for eight years and is now available at all major Canadian airports, at 17 land border crossings and at over 430 marine ports of entry. It is a joint program of the Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection that is designed to simplify border crossings for pre-approved travellers while enhancing security.

Over the past year, NEXUS members have also enjoyed additional benefits to their membership including:

    
    -   Designated screening lines at pre-board security screening when
        flying domestically and on some international flights from within
        Canada (U.S. travel excluded), currently available as a pilot project
        at Macdonald-Cartier International Airport in Ottawa;
    -   Recognition for the card as an additional document to demonstrate
        identity and citizenship to a border services officer when entering
        Canada using non-NEXUS dedicated land lanes or in the marine
        environment (for Canadian or U.S. citizens only);
    -   The NEXUS card continues to fulfill the travel document requirements
        of the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative when entering the
        United States by air (when used at a kiosk at participating
        airports), or by land or water.
    

For more information, please visit www.nexus.gc.ca.

For further information: For media information: Media Relations, Canada Border Services Agency, [phone]