A dispute over legal protections for U.S. customs officials has kept Nexus enrollment centers in Canada closed more than three months after they reopened south of the border — in part because of a dispute over U.S. officials’ right to carry a weapon in Canadian territory.
The deadlock in talks has resulted in a massive backlog of applications for the program, which allows “pre-approved, low-risk travellers” to cross the border more quickly.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reports that the number of Nexus membership applications has increased from 270,000 in April to more than 341,000 recently, at a time when border delays are causing headaches for vacationers — and apprehensions to those planning to leave.
The CBSA says that Nexus-related applicant interviews have resumed at enrollment centers in the United States, but enrollment centers in Canada remain closed.
Canada and the United States are still in discussion on when to reopen the 13 enrollment centers in Canada. The two sides are trying to clarify “legal protections” for US customs officers while they work at jointly staffed centers, CBSA spokeswoman Rebecca Purdy said in an email.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency confirmed that the dispute relates to legal protections for its staff at joint Nexus offices, including “the authority to carry or have access to a firearm while on duty. spokeswoman Rhonda Lawson said in an email.
Two sources in the Canadian government told The Canadian Press that the United States would like its customs officers who work in Nexus centers to have the same protections that are guaranteed to other preclearance officers on Canadian soil, under an agreement bilateral.
A year of waiting
According to the sources, the carrying of handguns is a major sticking point in these talks. These sources spoke on condition of anonymity, as they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
All new applicants to the Nexus program whose initial application for membership has been approved must then present themselves for an interview at the registration center before obtaining the green light from the authorities. Some holders of the Nexus card, which expires after five years, must also make an appointment for an interview if they want to renew their membership. About 75% of current Nexus members are Canadian citizens, and 3% are permanent residents, according to the CBSA.
While Canadians are allowed to visit one of 13 Nexus centers in the United States, all located near the border, several of these centers no longer offer meeting slots. “Current wait time for interviews: 1 year,” warns the site of the registration center in Port Huron, Michigan, across from Sarnia, Ontario. These delays affect Canadian tourism and cause inconvenience to people who cross the border frequently.
It’s really important that we can stay true to our values as Canadians, but respect how we need to work together
Meanwhile, airports continue to face long queues at security checks and customs, amid staff shortages. Delays at Nexus “certainly exacerbated those delays,” said Duncan Dee, Air Canada’s former chief operating officer.
Asked about it on Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declined to say whether firearms were at the heart of the impasse. “It’s really important that we can stay true to our values as Canadians, but respect how we need to work together,” he told reporters during a visit to Stratford, P.E.I. of Prince Edward.