July 11, 2019 – Ottawa, Canada – Canada Border Services Agency

The Government of Canada remains committed to a strong, secure, and efficient border with the United States (U.S.), while protecting individual privacy and rights.

Beginning July 11, 2019, Canada and the U.S. will exchange basic biographic entry information (such as full names and date of birth) on all travellers at the land border, so that entry into one country serves as an exit record from the other. This initiative will help Canada make better, timely decisions on border management, law enforcement, national security, citizenship applications, immigration, and social services.

This significant milestone is the result of the coming into force of Bill C-21, An Act to amend the Customs Act, and associated regulations, which provide authorities for the CBSA to collect exit information on all travellers departing Canada, including Canadians.

The collection and exchange of basic biographic information will be seamless to travellers. The CBSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection have signed an information sharing memorandum of understanding, which includes safeguards and protections on the exchange of biographic entry data for entry/exit by land mode only. Information will be collected, used and disclosed in accordance with the Privacy Act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The use of this information is restricted to specific purposes by law.