US/Can entry and exit passport scanning plan

[gitane59]

Don't get me wrong, this is not something I look forward to but, I thought all US and Canadian citizens would have their passports scanned entering and exiting the respective countries starting July 1 2014.
Just crossed last night for a quickie shopping trip and I saw no change at all.
Does anyone know if implementation of this regulation has been postponed or cancelled?
Seems that to scan all passports upon entry and exit at our shared land border crossing of our respective countries would require additional new technology and equipment as well as work rule changers for the toll takers in each country as they now would be charged with the responsibility of scanning passports of all exiting travelers.

[bsinmich]

My daughter & SIL have concealed carry permits and are asked more questions than I am at the border. I have the credit card type of passport. Last year the Canadian customs agent asked why my wifes was clearer than mine. I had to explain she washed my wallet with my pants. He asked her if she was guilty of money laundering

[jimbunting]

A short example of how computer linkage can trip up cheaters.

A Canadian, who was drawing Employment Insurance payments, because he was "out of work" decided that a two week vacation in Mexico would be nice in February, so he booked a flight from Winnipeg. Had a wonderful time.............

Until he was stopped by the CBSA agent, as he arrived back in Winterpeg.

Have a nice time in Mexico, ? Yeah, great.

CBSA guy says, look for a letter from the Feds asking about HOW you could be "ready and able to work " while out of the country for 2 weeks ???

Seems that one Federal Government department ( Employment Insurance ) was able to talk to another Federal Government computer ( CBSA ).

I think that would be a case of "fraud " by deception, right ?.

My point is simple, the computers are watching.

Jim B. Toronto.

[lakeside013104]

robatthelake wrote:
I'm still trying to figure out how that Sleepy Mexican Border Guard was able to pass off any information when He never woke up as We drove through the Border! So How in the heck can the US guards know for sure when We passed through to Mexico in January and returned in April?

Cameras and automatic plate readers, my friend. You are being watched. Believe it.

Lakeside

[Bumpyroad]

gitane59 wrote:
I truly hope this entry/exit initiative is used to catch and deport third county nationals who are illegally and intentional overstaying there Visas allowance for fraudulent or criminal activities rather than chasing retirees who overstay the 6 month allowance a couple of extra weeks.

of course it is, after all, they're from the Government and they are here to help you.
bumpy

[robatthelake]

I'm still trying to figure out how that Sleepy Mexican Border Guard was able to pass off any information when He never woke up as We drove through the Border! So How in the heck can the US guards know for sure when We passed through to Mexico in January and returned in April?

[gitane59]

JaxDad wrote:

moisheh wrote:
Canadian border agents do not share info with your Provincial Health people. There is no secret service watching to see how long you have been out of the country for insurance purposes ! Too much paranoia from Canadians.

Moisheh

Pull your head out of the sand, then read the sixth paragraph..

Toronto Star story on information sharing.

That article is very contradictory but troubling.
The following statement from the CBSA

The CBSA wouldn’t specify which departments would have access, but added the data wouldn’t be shared with the provinces.
seems to say no provincial sharing period. yet the articles quotes a Richard Kurland who sounds quite a fearmonger and feels the info will be shared with provincial authorities.
Time will tell and we the citizens will have little or no impact or control over what they do with our data.

[2oldman]

Information sharing has made many businesses better. The police used to have all their little kingdoms of information, and were proud of it.

[JaxDad]

moisheh wrote:
Canadian border agents do not share info with your Provincial Health people. There is no secret service watching to see how long you have been out of the country for insurance purposes ! Too much paranoia from Canadians.

Moisheh

Pull your head out of the sand, then read the sixth paragraph..

Toronto Star story on information sharing.

[2oldman]

Little Kopit wrote:
You can't believe your health care record is only on paper. Paper and computer, me son, fer sure

I see no evidence of that when my doctor comes into the exam room with an armful of paper, and proceeds to ask me about something that happened 2 years ago.

Now, when he comes in with a tablet and a stylus, then I know things have changed. From what I've seen and heard, it's the doctors who don't like change.

[Little_Kopit]

2oldman wrote:

gitane59 wrote:
While this make some practical sense the idea of international governments tracking and sharing this info is creepy and scary.Can we trust government bureaucrats and government employees to be sharp enough about data security and privacy?

As long as health care record-keeping remains on paper and telephone, we're safe.

But that can't last.

You can't believe your health care record is only on paper. Paper and computer, me son, fer sure.

Point 2. Come on, I only saw one person mention scaning a vehicle license. They're all scanned. Think to when you were asked to stop at red light, then move forward on the green. What I don't know yet is if they have my new vehicle license # as soon as I do a trade. I'd like to ask Mr. Snowdon about that.

I travel overseas once and my bank gives me a 'world' credit card. Looks like you'll be going again, that says.

😉

[2oldman]

gitane59 wrote:
While this make some practical sense the idea of international governments tracking and sharing this info is creepy and scary.Can we trust government bureaucrats and government employees to be sharp enough about data security and privacy?

As long as health care record-keeping remains on paper and telephone, we're safe.

But that can't last.

[gitane59]

I truly hope this entry/exit initiative is used to catch and deport third county nationals who are illegally and intentional overstaying there Visas allowance for fraudulent or criminal activities rather than chasing retirees who overstay the 6 month allowance a couple of extra weeks.

[pigman1]

I understand some US citizens who have valid concealed carry permits are being asked by Canadian Customs folks "Where are your pistols?" instead of the normal "Do you have any firearms?". Difference in the question would appear to indicate they already know you're a gun owner, now where are they? Sharing info, especially on "hot button" issues looks like a foregone conclusion. I'd expect Canadians would also see US Customs doing similar things.

[gitane59]

moisheh wrote:
Canadian border agents do not share info with your Provincial Health people. There is no secret service watching to see how long you have been out of the country for insurance purposes ! Too much paranoia from Canadians.

Moisheh

Now there an interesting thought. I wonder truly how much federal to provincial data sharing is truly going on regarding how long citizens of a particular province are out of country.
We know there is no document scanning crossing inter-provincial border but we also know that you can theoretically loose your provincial health insurance coverage for being out of province too long.
Not quite sure but I do believe that OHIP has an investigation branch looking for fraud and I don't think I would like to draw their attention.