Canada, U.S. exploring ‘shorter-term measures’ to ease Nexus delays: CBSA

At the Thousand Islands crossing, in-person Nexus interviews are being conducted separately by U.S. and Canadian agents on opposite sides of the border.

There’s a glimmer of hope in the ongoing impasse between Canada and the United States over the Nexus fast-traveller program.

The Canada Border Services Agency says the two countries are exploring “shorter-term measures” to shrink a backlog of applications.

At the Thousand Islands crossing between Ontario and New York, in-person Nexus interviews are being conducted separately by U.S. and Canadian agents on opposite sides of the border.

Spokeswoman Rebecca Purdy says the pilot project, which began in late September, allows applicants to be interviewed on the Canadian side before entering the U.S. to meet with Customs and Border Protection officers.

The rest of Canada’s enrolment centres, where agents from both countries would normally interview applicants together in person, remain closed due to a lack of U.S. personnel.

Purdy says the project could be expanded to include additional border crossings where demand is highest and the two agencies have the capacity to implement it.

She says 49,482 new, renewed or replacement Nexus cards were issued between Oct. 6 and Nov. 5.

“Canada and the U.S. continue discussions about the reopening of Canadian enrolment centres and are pursuing solutions to address the current backlog,” Purdy said in a statement.