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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James P. Rubin, Spokesman
December 1, 1998

U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy today announced a new initiative to expand intransit preclearance services in Canada. Secretary Albright said, "This initiative is a win-win proposition which builds on our ongoing efforts to strengthen cross-border ties and facilitate business and tourist travel." "This initiative is an excellent example of how Canada and the U.S. can work together to benefit the traveling public," said Minister Axworthy. "It demonstrates that we can make the border more innovative and efficient for the 21^st century." Minister Axworthy and Secretary Albright expressed satisfaction with the great progress that had been brought to facilitating air services between the two countries through the Canada/U.S. Air Agreement and expressed mutual interest in furthering that process.

In April 1997, Prime Minister Chretien and President Clinton announced agreement on a pilot project for intransit preclearance services at the Vancouver International Airport. The pilot--launched in June 1997--has provided a valuable service to over 70,000 travelers. The U.S. and Canada are now planning the extension of intransit services to other Canadian airports.

Under this initiative, all Canadian airports with existing U.S. preclearance facilities will be eligible for intransit preclearance services. Intransit services at Vancouver will be eligible for indefinite extension. Toronto's Pearson International Airport and the Aeroport de Montreal (Dorval) will be eligible for intransit preclearance in 1999. Calgary intends to follow in 2001. Admonton, Ottawa, and Winnipeg would be eligible after 2001.

Intransit preclearance cuts out the Canadian inspection process and allows U.S. bound intransit passengers to proceed directly to U.S. preclearance facilities. This reduces the two-stop process at a one-stop inspection.

The traveling public would be the primary beneficiary of the new initiative. Travelers would enjoy more connections from Asia and Europe, greater choice of carriers and scheduling, and shorter transit times. Canada intends to introduce legislation shortly to allow intransit preclearance operations to go ahead.

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